High expectations

Lightning protection specialist and Atlas (Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists) member Best Services was recently tasked with designing and installing a structural lightning protection system to protect the highest building in England and Wales.

The multi-million pound, three-year project involved the demolition of the existing café at the summit of Mt Snowdon and construction of the brand new Hafod Eryri Visitors Centre and Café, 3560ft above sea level.

At design stage, the first hurdle to overcome was how to adequately earth a structure that was built on solid rock. They then had to provide a design to take into account the architectural constraints of the structure and its component parts, which would be able to withstand the harshest of weather conditions.

Best Services had, in house, the expert technical designers and engineers required for the full design and installation of a compliant lightning protection system with a combined earth resistance of less than 1 ohm. Working at the top of a mountain had certain logistical problems. Every morning, plant, materials and men would be transported to the summit using the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

During the course of the works, engineers had to cope with 100mph winds, freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, not to mention torrential rain. All lightning protection works came in on time and on budget.