Committee EL-024, Protection Against Lightning, has been diligently working on the revision of the interim Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1768(Int): 2003 Lightning Protection.

The Committee finalised the revision in early February 2006 and a draft DR 06132, was released for a public comment period commencing on 20th March 2006.

Major changes to the interim standard include:

• The ‘risk management’ calculation tool has been revised;

• The ground flash density maps have replaced the existing Thunderday maps for Australia and New Zealand;

• The recommended precautions for personal safety have been updated with current practice;

• A comprehensive set of design rules for the provision minimum requirements for air terminals, downconductors, and equipotential bonding earth terminations have been revised;

• A sub-section on "Protection of Equipment" within buildings has been significantly extended and also includes practical installation examples;

• The recommendations for the protection of small shelters have been strengthened;

• An informative appendix on "Earthing and Bonding" has been revised;

The public comment period has now closed and the compilation of comments will be reviewed in the August 2006 meeting of EL-024. It is anticipated that the new edition will supersede the interim Standard, by January 2007.

Committee: EL-024 Protection Against Lightning

Projects Manager: Jahanzeb Rahman Jahanzeb.rahman@standards.org.au