Lightning Protection System (LPS) in Bangladesh

Last updated: 7 October 2026

A lightning protection system (LPS) in Bangladesh is the network of air terminals, down conductors, earth electrodes and surge protection that safely carries a lightning strike to ground. It protects people, the building structure and electrical equipment. Veritas designs, installs and tests lightning protection systems to IEC 62305 for factories, warehouses and commercial buildings.

Bangladesh experiences frequent thunderstorms, especially in the pre-monsoon and monsoon months, and lightning is a recognised hazard for people, buildings and electrical systems. A direct strike on an unprotected roof can crack concrete, start fires in stored materials and send damaging surges through wiring, while a nearby strike can still destroy control systems through induced surges.

Veritas Technologies Ltd provides lightning protection system design & installation in Bangladesh as part of our engineering services. We assess the risk, design to IEC 62305, supply and install the materials, and prove the result with an earth resistance test. For the wider electrical system we work alongside our electrical design team so surge protection and earthing are coordinated rather than added as an afterthought.

What Is a Lightning Protection System?

A lightning protection system is an engineered path that intercepts a lightning strike before it hits a vulnerable part of a structure, carries the current down the outside of the building and spreads it safely into the ground. IEC 62305 divides it into two parts.

The external LPS deals with the direct strike: air-termination conductors on the roof, down conductors on the building faces and an earth-termination system below ground. The internal LPS deals with what happens inside the building: equipotential bonding of metal services and surge protective devices (SPDs) that stop dangerous voltage differences and sparking between conductors.

Which Standards Apply? IEC 62305 Parts 1 to 4

IEC 62305 is the international series for protection against lightning and is the reference most consultants and buyers specify in Bangladesh. Its four parts work together:

• IEC 62305-1, General principles: the nature of lightning, damage types and the overall protection concept.
• IEC 62305-2, Risk management: a structured calculation of whether protection is needed and which measures reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
• IEC 62305-3, Physical damage to structures and life hazard: design of the external LPS (air terminals, down conductors, earthing) and inspection and maintenance.
• IEC 62305-4, Electrical and electronic systems within structures: surge protection, bonding and shielding for equipment inside the building.

Lightning protection levels I to IV

IEC 62305 defines four lightning protection levels (LPL). Level I is the most stringent and Level IV the least. The risk assessment decides which level is needed; the level then sets the design parameters, such as the rolling sphere radius (20 m for Level I, 30 m for Level II, 45 m for Level III and 60 m for Level IV), the maximum mesh size of roof conductors, the spacing of down conductors and the frequency of inspection.

Earth resistance measurements are made using recognised methods such as the fall-of-potential method described in IEEE 81. BNBC 2020 also deals with lightning protection of buildings within its building services provisions, and we take it into account alongside IEC 62305.

What Are the Components of an LPS?

The table summarises the main components of the external and internal systems and the job each one does.

Conventional air terminals vs ESE terminals

Some suppliers in Bangladesh offer early streamer emission (ESE) terminals, which are claimed to protect a large radius from a single head. ESE is not recognised in IEC 62305, and many consultants and international buyers specify IEC 62305-compliant conventional systems designed with the rolling sphere, protective angle or mesh method. Where a client already has an ESE installation, we can inspect it, test its earthing and advise on bringing the protection in line with the project's chosen standard.

How Is LPS Installation in Bangladesh Done? Our Process

1. Site visit to record building dimensions, roof type, existing earthing and services entering the building.
2. Risk assessment to IEC 62305-2 and selection of the lightning protection level.
3. Design of air terminals, down conductor routes, test joints, earth electrodes and SPD locations, issued as drawings for approval.
4. Supply of conductors, fixings, clamps, earth rods, inspection pits and SPDs to the approved specification.
5. Installation of the earth-termination system, then down conductors and roof air terminations, with bonding to roof metalwork.
6. Installation and coordination of SPDs at the main panel and sub-panels, together with the electrical contractor.
7. Continuity checks and earth resistance testing of each electrode and of the complete system.
8. Handover of as-built drawings, test results and an inspection and maintenance schedule.

LPS installation in Bangladesh is often done during roof waterproofing or new construction; coordinating early avoids drilling through finished roofs later.

Who Needs Lightning Protection?

• Factories and warehouses, particularly large-footprint or high-bay buildings.
• Buildings storing chemicals, fuel, gas cylinders, cotton, yarn or other combustible stock.
• Multi-storey commercial and residential buildings and hospitals.
• Sites with rooftop solar PV, telecom equipment, water tanks or chimneys.
• Facilities with sensitive electronics such as data rooms, process control and fire alarm panels.
• Buildings where a buyer audit or insurer has requested IEC 62305 compliance.

How Is an Existing LPS Inspected and Maintained?

A lightning protection system is exposed to sun, rain and building work, so it degrades. Clamps loosen, conductors are cut during roof alterations, and earth pits fill up or corrode. IEC 62305-3 sets out visual inspections and complete inspections at intervals that depend on the protection level.

During an inspection we check every air terminal, conductor and fixing, confirm continuity, open test joints and measure earth resistance. SPD status indicators are checked and damaged units replaced. Findings feed into an electrical safety assessment where the client needs a wider compliance report.

What Do You Receive?

• IEC 62305-2 risk assessment summary with the selected protection level.
• LPS layout drawings showing air terminals, down conductors, test joints and earth pits.
• Material specification and data sheets for approval.
• Installed and tested lightning protection system.
• Earth resistance and continuity test report with instrument details.
• SPD schedule showing type and location of each device.
• As-built drawings and a recommended inspection and maintenance plan.

What Does a Lightning Protection System Cost in Bangladesh?

Each LPS is designed for its building, so we quote per project. The main cost factors are the protection level, roof area and shape, building height, number of down conductors and earth electrodes, soil resistivity, conductor material, the scope of surge protection and access for installation. Send us your drawings or basic building dimensions and we will provide a quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions