Metodologia de análise de risco de implantação de sistema de proteção contra descarga atmosférica

Abstract

In 2015, the Brazilian Technical Standard Association (ABNT) published the new version of the standard NBR 5419, which defines the rules about Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) in the country. However, engineers are having trouble applying NBR 5419’s recommendations, mainly because this new version presents much more complex concepts than the older versions. The new Standard is divided into four parts: • Part 1: General principles. • Part 2: Risk management. • Part 3: Physical damage to structures and life hazard. • Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within structures. A methodology was proposed to help Lightning Protection System (LPS) designers to determine a LPS necessity and to define the preferable protection measures depending on the priorities of the installation. The great novelty of this methodology is the selection of the protection measure based on their economic viability, making a comparison between the costs associated with each protection measure and their contribution for the risk’s reduction. The methodology is based on the second part of NBR 5419, which describes the risk management of an electromagnetic surge arising from a lightning causing life injury, damages to the building or equipment failures. The dissertation explains what risk components are more important depending on the priority of the installation under analysis and what risk components could be changed (and how they could be changed, giving practical solutions to the problem) to lower the risk below the recommended level.