Plenary lecture 10: achieving the best practices in lightning protection system

There are 2000 thunderstorms in progress at any time resulting in 100 lightning flashes to ground per second; this is 8 million per day. It causes of 24000 lightning deaths and other 240000 are injured per year. These data proves the critical needs for lightning protection system. In general, there are a lot of issues with regards to the selection of proper lightning protection systems. From the time of the first installation to the present day, characterization of the effectiveness remains a recurring question. Sustainability is an important criterion in ensuring the chosen protection system is governed by the international standards and of course technically and scientifically proven in effectiveness. The development of lightning protection principle throughout the world is based on solid science. Any scientific method can be summed up after the theory is formed, tested and conclusion is drawn. For the past 250 years, the lightning protection systems have been intensively studied and have been proven effectively many times. Field data recorded provides provide conclusive evidence that conventional lightning protection systems can provide substantial reduction in lightning-related incidents. The data clearly demonstrates the validity of the basic technology when the requirements are properly applied and adequately maintained. Therefore, the questions of what, why, when, where and how are remains valid towards achieving the best practice in lightning protection system.