Lightning strikes on buildings and why they are increasing

Lightning strikes pose a significant threat to buildings and the people inside them. They strike the Earth an estimated 44 times per second, translating to a staggering 1.4 billion strikes annually. While the exact number of lightning strikes on buildings is difficult to pinpoint, statistics reveal an ever-present risk, writes John Ridgeway.

In the United States alone, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that lightning strikes cause an average of 12,000 structure fires per year, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage. Europe experiences a similar story. A 2020 report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) estimated that lightning strikes cause over €1 billion in insured losses annually across the continent.

While data from Asia and Australia is less readily available, lightning strikes pose a considerable threat in these regions as well. Densely populated areas in these continents are particularly vulnerable due to a combination of factors, such as high-rise buildings, which act as lightning rods and the proliferation of power lines, communication towers and other conductive materials, which creates more pathways for lightning to enter buildings. To read more click the link:

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