What Happens When Lightning Strikes Your Home or Business

If lightning strikes a home or commercial building, the sound alone can be overwhelming. The intense shockwave may cause structural damage—particularly to chimneys, masonry, or roofing components.

More critically, lightning seeks the fastest path to the ground. In doing so, it can travel through electrical wiring, gas piping, plumbing, and communication lines. This often results in:

• Power surges that destroy electrical systems and plugged-in electronics

• Damage to HVAC and communication infrastructure

• Potential gas leaks caused by compromised metal piping

• An increased risk of fire, often in hidden areas like walls or attics

Even if no fire or damage is immediately visible, it’s essential to call the fire department. Firefighters have specialized equipment to detect heat signatures that may indicate a smoldering fire not yet visible or smelled.

Preventing Damage from Lightning Strikes

While you can’t stop lightning, you can redirect it safely. That’s the role of a lightning protection system, which provides a defined path to ground for the electrical energy, minimizing the risk to the building and its contents.

A complete lightning protection system, designed according to NFPA 780 – Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, typically includes:

• Lightning rods (air terminals) installed on the roof

• Bonded grounding paths made of copper or aluminum cables

• Surge protection devices for electrical and communication lines

• Protection for gas piping and plumbing systems

According to research by Underwriters Laboratories, a properly installed lightning protection system can be up to 99% effective at preventing damage from lightning strikes.

⚠️ Important: These systems must be designed and installed by certified professionals recognized by the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI), NFPA, or UL.

What to Do When Lightning Strikes

Sometimes, no matter what preventative measures you’ve taken, a building is just going to get struck. If this happens to you, there are some simple steps to follow:

1. Make sure everyone is okay. Before you do anything else, track down all of your family members or check-in with your employees to make sure no one is injured. If there are injuries, it's important to remember any first aid training. 
2. Check for fire or smoke. If you see fire and smell smoke, everyone needs to evacuate immediately. The risk of staying inside of a building that’s on fire is greater than the risk of going out in a storm.
3. Call 911. Even if you don’t suspect fire, call the fire department. With lightning, fire can start in tough-to-see places that firefighters are equipped to find and handle.
4. Check for damage. Check your house for damage to the roof or wherever the lightning struck. Check the outlets also for signs of fire or burning.
5. Call your insurance agency. Once emergency responders have arrived and everyone is in a safe location, call your insurance carrier to figure out the claims process.
6. Call a trustworthy electrician to inspect the wiring. If the house is not destroyed, the final step is to call an electrician to make sure all of the wiring is still functioning properly. This can help prevent fires or other dangers down the road. 

Fire Prevention and Detection

While the idea of a lightning strike can be intimidating, being informed and prepared makes all the difference. Whether you're managing a commercial facility or safeguarding your home, it’s critical to have the right systems and support in place.

At CertaSite, we help businesses build comprehensive fire and life safety plans—including protection against lightning-induced fires. From fire alarm systems and extinguishers to sprinkler design and emergency preparedness, we deliver proactive solutions that go beyond compliance.

We believe in making safety simple, reliable, and tailored to your needs—so you can focus on what matters most.