Deacon’s
Bench
the
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I For America’s Churches and Related Ministries from Brotherhood Mutual and Its Agents
Photo ©Copyright 2011, Teresa Duggan
Spring 2011
ON THE WEB
Lightning
Protection
Stay safe when spring
storms strike
Did you know lightning can produce temperatures five times greater
than the sun? Lightning may be fascinating to watch, but don’t be
misled. It’s extremely dangerous and destructive.
One Massachusetts church experienced the magnificent power of lightning during a
summer storm in 2009. A direct strike took down the 70-year-old steeple of the historic Medway Community Church. According to newspaper reports, the fire burned
at the highest point of the steeple, making it extremely difficult to extinguish.
A large portion of the church’s ceiling collapsed in the blaze, but the majority of the
building was spared. Ironically, the church had planned to have lightning rod protection installed the following month.
Lightning (continued)
This event demonstrates the quick and unpredictable
nature of a lightning strike. Even in an era when skyscrapers and cell towers overshadow the tallest church steeple,
it’s crucial for churches to be intentional about lightning
protection.
Suit Up for Storms
A single lightning strike can not only sear church roofs
When it comes to lightning
protection, there’s no “one-sizefits-all” solution. To ensure that
your lightning protection system
meets safety standards, hire a
professional electrical contractor
to install it.
and steeples, but it can also ruin computers, sound systems, alarms, and other electronics. While you can’t pre-
break through structural brick or concrete. Roofs and windows
vent lightning, proper protection can help your ministry
in lightning’s path can tear away or shatter.
avoid many risks associated with it.
“Lightning is one of those problems that has always been
Consider the damage that lightning can cause:
•Fires: Thirty percent of church fires are caused by direct
strikes to the building.
around,” says Brock Bell, senior manager of loss control at
Brotherhood Mutual. “And many churches don’t realize they
could be affected a great deal. That’s why we recommend customers invest in a lightning protection system.”
•Explosions: When lightning penetrates through a chimney or a steeple, an explosion can accompany fire.
•Structural damage: A single strike is powerful enough to
When it comes to lightning protection, there’s no “one-sizefits-all” solution. Installers design a protection system unique
to each building, based on lightning frequency, the size of the
structure, and its contents. “We usually see churches install
a lightning protection system after they have been hit,” says
Bell, “But installing one sooner rather than later almost entirely
removes the risk from your ministry.”
To ensure that your lightning protection system meets safety
standards, hire a professional electrical contractor to install
it. Professionals are trained to assess your situation and can
answer any questions about how to best protect your building
from lightning.
To find a qualified installer in your area, you can refer to the
Lightning Protection Institute Website at www.lightning.org.
This not-for-profit company is dedicated to providing education about quality lightning protection and to promoting high
standards for design and installation.
One lightning strike can carry enough electricity to
power 10 million homes for one month. Plus, it’s fast.
The average lightning bolt can span 3,700 miles in
one second.
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The Deacon’s Bench, Spring 2011
After you have a system, it’s important to maintain it. Stay on
top of the installer’s recommendations for inspections to keep
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
your equipment up to date. As with any electrical system,
significantly above the 220 volts your computers and copier
regular inspections will help you get the most out of your
are used to receiving. Too much electricity from a lightning
investment.
strike can immediately overwhelm your appliances and electronics. The second is a brownout, or a significant decrease
Surge Protectors are a Beneficial Power Tool
in electricity. Too little electricity can keep your electronics
Not only can lightning harness incredible temperatures, but
from functioning normally, eventually causing them to fail.
it also packs a lot of power. One lightning strike can carry
enough electricity to power 10 million homes for one month.
Both surges and brownouts can harm electrical equipment,
Plus, it’s fast. The average lightning bolt can span 3,700 miles
including computers, copies, printers, phone lines, sound sys-
in one second. That’s more than the distance from New York
tems, HVAC systems, and more.
to California.
While ordinary circuits and fuses are not able to handle
Lightning is far more likely to damage your ministry’s electri-
the effects of a lightning strike, a good surge protector is
cal equipment than cause a fire, and it doesn’t have to strike
designed to protect your technological investments. A surge
your building to wreak havoc. It can travel through a nearby
protector directs excess power away from electronics and
power source into the building. With the use of technology
regulates power in the case of a brownout.
so widespread, this is a significant concern during storm
season.
If you have experienced any damage to your equipment
because of lightning, contact an electrician to prevent any
Two things commonly result when lightning hits a power
further problems and your insurance agent to report any
source. The first is a surge, or an electrical current, that is
claims.
Protect Your People
When planning an outdoor activity, consider lightning safety.
Whether your church members spend time at camp, the
lake, or the local playground, keep in mind that lightning
safety is not just for your building, but for people as
well. While the National Severe Storms Laboratory says
lightning causes only 350 reported injuries or deaths
each year, a few safety measures can all but eliminate
the risk:
• IF LIGHTNING STRIKES NEARBY, crouch down, put
• PLAN your evacuation and safety measures. When
you first see lightning or hear thunder, immediately
seek shelter. Suspend outdoor activities for at least 30
minutes following the last observed flash of lightning or
clap of thunder.
or send for help immediately. Then, provide first aid.
• AVOID water, high ground, open spaces, metal
objects, open rain shelters, and trees. Where possible,
find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed
vehicle with the windows completely shut.
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The Deacon’s Bench, Spring 2011
your feet together, and place your hands over your ears to
minimize hearing damage from thunder. Avoid proximity
(minimum of 15 feet) to other people.
• If lightning strikes a person, call 911
It’s safe to touch lightning victims—they don’t carry an
electric charge.
For more information, refer to the National Lightning
Safety Institute, www.lightningsafety.com.
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
Lightning doesn’t even
have to strike your building
to wreak havoc.
Buying a Surge Protector
A quick guide to the basics
Lightning (continued)
The Right Coverage
Lightning damage is covered as a cause of loss by
most basic insurance policies. But, your ministry may
wish to consider additional coverage to help pay for
repairs or replace equipment that may be damaged
by electrical surges or mechanical failures not caused
by lightning. Brotherhood Mutual offers Equipment
Breakdown Coverage for such items as:
• Organs and sound systems
• Office equipment
• Kitchen equipment
• Electrical systems
Surge protectors can save your electronic devices from power
surges, which could permanently damage your equipment.
However, your average power strip may not be enough to
protect high-end items such as computers, sound systems, and
more. Here are some things to keep in mind as you search for
the right surge protector.
Basics:
• Consider how much protection you need and spend accordingly.
Buy the best surge protector you can afford.
• Choose the number of outlets that you’ll need to handle all the
different devices you have. Five to twelve sockets is the usual
range.
• Air conditioning units
• Boiler and pressure vessels
If your ministry operates a day care center or school,
Equipment Breakdown Coverage provides insurance
against the loss of tuition or the extra expense needed to continue normal operations.
• Purchase a protector with an indicator to tell you whether or not
it is functioning properly.
Check for:
• Line conditioner. This keeps a good balance of power in the
cord, which benefits sensitive equipment.
• UL rating. This indicates whether or not the product has undergone testing and qualifies as a transient voltage surge protector,
which means it is less likely to fail in a surge situation.
• High number of Joules. Surge protectors with higher numbers
Talk to your Brotherhood Mutual agent to learn more
about this unique insurance protection.
can handle more electricity and offer better protection.
• Clamping voltage. If the UL rating is too high, the clamping voltage, or level at which a protector regulates, will not be adequate.
Around the globe, lightning strikes about 100 times
every second. With spring storm season just around
the corner, lightning in your area is likely to increase.
While you can’t stop the clouds from rolling in, you
can take steps to ensure a safer season.
Any UL rating above 400 will leave your equipment vulnerable.
• Response time. The amount of time it takes the protector to
respond to a surge. The shorter the response time, the less likely
your equipment will be damaged.
Pricing:
• Average surge protectors cost between $15 and $70, but these
can only protect small appliances. Even your computer will not
be safe at this level.
• Optimal protection can cost $100 or more. While it may seem
like a costly investment, the right surge protector can save you
thousands of dollars in the long run.
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The Deacon’s Bench, Spring 2011
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
Who Needs Lightning Protection?
Take Stock
Many ministries mistakenly
wait until they experience a
loss to complete a personal
property inventory. However,
this tool can help determine if
you have an adequate amount
of insurance coverage before
a loss, as well as speed up the
claim process following one.
Is Your Building at Risk
for a Lightning Strike?
While any building can be at risk from the unpredictable nature of lightning, there are certain factors that can put your building at a greater risk:
Check out the Safety Library
at BrotherhoodMutual.com to
learn more. Search “Property
Inventory” for great tips, as
well as a helpful checklist to
get you started.
• Previous lightning damage
• Located in an area that has frequent thunderstorms
• Located in an open area, on a hill, or near a large body
of water
• Tall trees hang over the roof
• Has a metal, brick, or stone chimney
• Has a metal ridge vent or aluminum siding
• Lacks surge protection
5 The Deacon’s Bench, Spring 2011
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
6400 Brotherhood Way
P.O. Box 2227
Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2227
On the Web
Download a FREE
sample property inventory
www.brotherhoodmutual.com
In this issue
Deacon’s
Bench
the
cover
The Deacon’s Bench is a quarterly newsletter created for
churches and related ministries. It’s published by the
Corporate Communications Department of
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.
Writer: Stephanie Houser
Design: Tim Baron and Maddie Skinner
Editor: Laura Brown
Managing Editor: Lisa Grote
The Deacon’s Bench, Vol. 23, Issue 1
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
6400 Brotherhood Way, P.O. Box 2227,
Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2227, 800.333.3735
lightning protection
Protect your building,
equipment, and people.
p4
surge protector basics
Know what you need before you buy.
Church Security Conferences
p5
is your building at risk?
Certain factors may increase
your risk.
Prepare your team. Protect your people. Whether you have a trained security team in place or
would like to start one, the experts at our Signal Fire Conferences can help you develop and fine
tune your staff and plans. Learn more about these church security conferences brought to you by
Brotherhood Mutual at SignalFireConference.com.