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Title: Steel roof over grandstands...Best place or worst place in a thunderstorm?
Post by: Gordon Brinton on February 01, 2014, 06:51:28 AM
Imagine a music festival that includes an all-steel permanent grandstand that holds about 2000 people. The grandstand is covered by a steel roof, but open on all sides. The roof is supported by tall steel I-beams.

Faraday cage or direct danger during lightning strikes?
Title: Re: Steel roof over grandstands...Best place or worst place in a thunderstorm?
Post by: Kevin Graf on February 01, 2014, 09:36:44 AM
I would think that it's safer than a normal building of the same size.  The grandstand has a lot more steel than most buildings.
Title: Re: Steel roof over grandstands...Best place or worst place in a thunderstorm?
Post by: Dan Mortensen on February 01, 2014, 01:58:35 PM
Imagine a music festival that includes an all-steel permanent grandstand that holds about 2000 people. The grandstand is covered by a steel roof, but open on all sides. The roof is supported by tall steel I-beams.

Faraday cage or direct danger during lightning strikes?

I vote "Best Place To Be", unless the steel roof-support I-beams come down to connect to the All-steel grandstand floor and rows of seats. Then it's "Worst".
Title: Re: Steel roof over grandstands...Best place or worst place in a thunderstorm?
Post by: Gordon Brinton on February 01, 2014, 02:10:54 PM
I vote "Best Place To Be", unless the steel roof-support I-beams come down to connect to the All-steel grandstand floor and rows of seats. Then it's "Worst".

I'm not sure, but I'll stop and check the next time I am in the city.

I just want to know whether I should evacuate the entire grandstand, should a storm arise during my event. The same type of roof is over the stage as well.
Title: Re: Steel roof over grandstands...Best place or worst place in a thunderstorm?
Post by: Jim Rutherford on February 01, 2014, 02:55:01 PM
Check with the building owner or city to see if its cert of use is rated as lightning safe. 
Title: Re: Steel roof over grandstands...Best place or worst place in a thunderstorm?
Post by: Gordon Brinton on February 01, 2014, 04:05:06 PM
Check with the building owner or city to see if its cert of use is rated as lightning safe.

I am working with their "Associate Director - Business & Event Development" guy for the land lease agreement. He was unable to tell me off hand, but said he would try to find out something about it for me. I am sure this state requires some similar document. Our commercial buildings do require an occupancy permit. Maybe it states it on there.
Title: Re: Steel roof over grandstands...Best place or worst place in a thunderstorm?
Post by: Dan Mortensen on February 01, 2014, 05:16:38 PM
I am working with their "Associate Director - Business & Event Development" guy for the land lease agreement. He was unable to tell me off hand, but said he would try to find out something about it for me. I am sure this state requires some similar document. Our commercial buildings do require an occupancy permit. Maybe it states it on there.

Check with the Fire Marshal?