0 Foreword

In an interconnected and highly complex world, it is often unexpected forces of nature that determine stability and security. Lightning protection is therefore no longer a purely technical detail on the margins of planning, but has become a strategic task for decision-makers and experts who care about protecting people, property and critical infrastructure. Modern lightning protection systems safeguard the operation of socially relevant facilities, create security of supply and protect lives as well as economic assets. Their importance to society could hardly be greater in current times. 

The third edition of the IEC 62305 series of standards is an internationally coordinated and forward-looking standard that has been developed over many years in close cooperation between science, industry and users. The new regulations are the result of intensive technical discussions amongst experts. They offer practical risk management that simplifies the assessment of systemic risks and facilitates everyday application. They introduce innovative concepts and methods that minimise misunderstandings and improve applicability in daily practice. The requirements for the planning, construction, testing and maintenance of lightning protection systems have been fundamentally revised. The risk analysis is now based on a uniform risk value and focuses on types of loss with a social impact. Technical aspects such as the positioning of air-termination systems, the avoidance of hot spots and the coordination of surge protection are more clearly regulated. This plays a particularly important role for buildings with different uses and critical facilities such as hospitals, data centres and power suppliers.