Lightning Protection
Comprehensive safeguards for oil storage tanks — engineered to prevent fire, explosion & operational failure
Lightning Protection
System Configuration
- Metal tank as air terminal — wall thickness must comply with standards to act as natural lightning rod.
- Fixed-roof tanks require lightning rods or strips installed on the top.
- Floating-roof tanks — secure electrical connection between floating roof and tank wall (multiple bonding paths).
- Full coverage zone — lightning protection range must shield entire tank area, especially vulnerable components.
Grounding Network
Construction
- Secure bonding — tank bottom firmly connected to grounding grid; monitor grounding resistance regularly (safe range required).
- Shared grounding system for multiple tank farms → achieves equipotential bonding and eliminates potential differences.
- Corrosion-resistant materials for main grounding busbars; burial depth according to standards for rapid current dissipation.
- Periodic inspection of grounding resistance value ensures reliable lightning current path to earth.
Equipotential
Bonding Measures
- All metal components bonded: jumpers installed between tank shell, pipes, valves and flanges → eliminate spark hazards.
- Floating roof tanks — multiple conductive connections between floating roof and tank wall prevent electrical sparking.
- Auxiliary equipment (gauging hatches, breather valves, manholes) integrated into equipotential network.
- Complete protective mesh — equipotential bonding forms a closed lightning protection loop around tank facilities.
Surge Protection
Configuration
- Surge protective devices (SPDs) installed at entry points of instrument signal lines & power lines → against LEMP (lightning electromagnetic pulse).
- Shielded cables for signal transmission between control room & tank farm, with proper grounding at both ends.
- Regular status check of protection modules; immediate replacement of faulty components ensures continuous effectiveness.
- Prevents damage from lightning-induced overvoltages, safeguarding instrumentation, automation and emergency systems.
IEC 62305 & API RP 545 compliant practices | engineered for critical infrastructure