3 Ways to Protect Your Thatch Roof from Lightning
Did you know, Regulations for Effective Lightning Conductors on Thatch Roofs Save Lives – 3 Effective ways
Thatch roofs are most susceptible than any other roof type to being set alight by lightning. For the protection of the public and property the South African National Standard 62305-3 was introduced in 2011.
SANS 62305-3: Protection against Lightning (published in 2011) is drawn from an international standard, IEC 62305. Part 3 deals with physical damage to structures and life hazards. It is 100% relevant to buildings with thatch roofs.
Remember that anything related to electrics must be dealt with by a qualified and registered electrician.
Introduction to the Regulations for Thatch Roofs and Lightning
This part of IEC 62305 deals with the protection, in and around a structure, against physical damage and injury to humans and living creatures who might touch or step on voltages.
The main and most effective measure for the protection of thatch roofs structures against physical damage is considered to be the lightning protection system (LPS). This usually consists of both external and internal lightning protection systems.
An external LPS on thatch roofs is intended to:
- intercept a lightning flash to the structure (with an air-termination system),
- conduct the lightning current safely towards earth (using a down-conductor system),
- disperse the lightning current into the earth (using an earth-termination system).
An internal LPS prevents dangerous sparking within the structure using either equipotential bonding or a separation distance (and electrical insulation) between the external LPS components and other electrically conducting elements internal to the structure of the thatch roofs.
The main protection measures against injury to living beings due to touch and step voltages are intended to reduce the:
- dangerous current flowing through bodies by insulating exposed conductive parts, and/or by increasing the surface soil resistivity,
- occurrence of dangerous touch and step voltages by physical restrictions and/or warning notices.
The type and location of an LPS should be carefully considered in the initial design of a new structure, thereby enabling maximum advantage to be taken of the electrically conductive parts of the structure. By doing so, the design and construction of an integrated installation is made easier, the overall aesthetic aspects can be improved, and the effectiveness of the LPS can be increased at minimum cost and effort.
Once construction work on a site has started, access to the ground and the proper use of foundation steelwork for the purpose of forming an effective earth termination may well be impossible. Therefore, it is important to consider resistivity and the nature of the earth at the earliest possible stage of any project. This information is fundamental to the design of an earth-termination system and may influence the foundation design work for the structure.
Regular consultation between LPS designers and installers, architects, and builders is essential in order to achieve the best result at a minimal cost.
If lightning protection is to be added to an existing thatch roofs structure, every effort should be made to ensure that it conforms to the principles of SANS 62305-3. The design of the type and location of an LPS should take into account the features of the existing structure.
Notations
NOTE 1
Specific requirements for an LPS in structures dangerous to their surroundings due to the risk of explosion are under consideration. Additional information is provided in Annex D for use in the interim.
NOTE 2
This part of IEC 62305 is not intended to provide protection against failures of electrical and electronic systems due to overvoltages. Specific requirements for such cases are provided in IEC 62305-4.
NOTE 3
Specific requirements for protection against lightning of wind turbines are reported in IEC 61400-24 [2].
References
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this national standard. These references are listed in the standard. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60079-10-1:2008, Explosive atmospheres – Part 10-1: Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres
IEC 60079-10-2:2009, Explosive atmospheres – Part 10-2: Classification of areas – Combustible dust atmospheres
IEC 60079-14:2007, Explosive atmospheres – Part 14: Electrical installations design, selection, and erection
IEC 61557-4, Electrical safety in low-voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. – Equipment for testing, measuring, or monitoring of protective measures – Part 4: Resistance of earth connection and equipotential bonding
IEC 61643-1, Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 1: Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power distribution systems – Requirements and tests
IEC 61643-21, Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications and signaling networks – Performance requirements and testing methods
IEC 62305-1, Protection against lightning – Part 1: General principles IEC 62305-2, Protection against lightning – Part 2: Risk management
We have a lightning conductor with a slight bend in it. How much of a problem does that pose for insurance?
Has there been any amendments to the law since 2018 regarding the earthing system?
Thank you
How tall should a mast be and how often should these be inspected, legally?
According to Council any thatch structure (or indeed any structure with a roof on including garden sheds) needs plans irrespective of whether it is enclosed or not. It will need to be sprayed inside and out with a fire retardant and I have just been refused insurance as the lapa on the property does not have a lightning rod installed… Claire (Blue Designs)
Since these regs are from 2011 they don’t, though it is in your interests to ensure the house is safe.
All lapas closed or open need plans. If no lightnig pole you wont get insurance
How do these new regulations apply to an existing house (more than 25 years old) that has a treated thatch roof?
A lapa is usually open-sided so might not require plans. A thatched roofed room is a structure that WILL require plans.
can lapa be fully enclosed by plastered walls with windows and doors? what is the difference between lapa and thatch roofed room?
Your problem is that the beam and truss requirements for the two types of roof are different. Maybe contact the manufacturers of Chromadek for contractor references.
Hi , just wondering if you ever did this conversion ? I want to do the same but can’t find anyone who has successfully done this . Are there any reputable roofing contractors that will even take it on ..? I want to convert from thatch to chromadek corrugated using the existing beams , would you have any advise ?
Brent, SANS 10313, 2010: Protection against lightning – Physical damage to structures and life hazard, discusses lightning protection systems (LPS). This standard defines an LPS designer as “a
person who is competent to design, construct and test the LPS for compliance with this standard”; and an LPS installer as “a person who is competent to install, construct and test an LPS for compliance with this standard”. This means the person must be trained and qualified to either design, construct and test and/or install, contract and test an LPS. So a thatch builder might be able to IF he has the qualification. It’s like asking if a building contractor is allowed to install electrics and/or plumbing. The answer would be only if the contractor is a qualified and registered electrician and/or plumber (which is not the norm).

Brent unfortunately we are not in a position to recommend companies.
What grass?
electrical connections have to be a meter from the grass unless it is fire proof equipment<<<<<<please comment if that is correct
Hi, I am looking for installers of LPS in Pretoria. Due to a leaking roof I had to redesign and replace my entire thatch roof. However, the builder removed my existing LPS and has now indicated that he is unable to replace it as he is not qualified to install the system. are thatch builders allowed to do this?
Hi,
I was recently forced to renovate and rebuilt my thatch roof as the previous owners severely neglected the roof. The current builder was asked to remove my LPS and to place it somewhere else on the property. He has now claimed ignorance and left me without a LPS on my property. Please direct me towards Pretoria based companies who can assist with the installation of the LPS at my property as 95% of the actual house is still thatch.
SANS 10407 deals with “Thatch Roof Construction” and any thatch roof has to comply with these standards. The roof needs to be designed by a “competent person”, the construction needs to be inspected by this person and if the roof meets the standards and is constructed correctly then they will issue a COC (Certificate of Compliance) and this would have been supplied to the local council building inspector before they issue an occupation certificate.
Subject:
SANS 10407
Message:
Hi,
Please could you advise me on the form that the structural engineer
must sign off (the entire process to bring the certificate to
conclusion) in terms of SANS 10407, the purchaser of the property was
very specific on the SANS 10407 certificate and report.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Bianca Scott
In House Legal Counsel
Read our post: boundary-lines-walls-fences But note that each municipality has a zoning scheme for each suburb and each property will be different. Check with your local planning department.
Hi, what are the distance requirements for building a lapa? Thanks in advance.
Regards.
Part L of SANS 10400, Roofs states: Thatching shall comply with the materials requirements of, and be installed in accordance with the requirements of, SANS 10407. I don’t have access to this Standard so don’t know if there is mention of a fire retardant certificate, and whether there is a requirement in terms of this having to be renewed. Part T of SANS 10400, Fire protection states:
“4.12.2 Thatched roofs
4.12.2.1 The safety distances derived from 4.2 shall, notwithstanding the occupancy classes given in table 2, be based on a high fire load where the thatch is untreated and value A in the formula will be based on the facade area of the roof. Where the thatch is treated with an acceptable fire-retardant system, the safety distances shall be based on the following fire loads:…”
which implies that a fire-retardant system is not compulsory.
I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. Your local authority may have more information, or a company that specializes in thatched roofs.
Hi Penny. we have put an offer to purchase in on a thatch house. Please can you advise on the following matter , or send me the contact details of a person who can help me.
On transfer does the dwelling need to have a Fire Retardant certificate that is still within the protection period? Or can they sell the property without the dwelling being protected by a fire retardant?
SANS 10400 does not cover lightning conductors which is a very specialised field. I suggest contacting one of the conductor installation companies who should be able to give you some reliable guidance.
hi.i have a 4×3 m thatch lapa.it is 3,5 meters from my main house and next to the boundary wall.do i require a lightning protector pole or is fire retardent sufficient.pls sent your response to my email address
kind regards
Please note that buildingregulations.co.za does not endorse the company above; we are simply passing on information.
Hi
Our company: Nimbus: Lightning Protection-SA does do inspections and maintenance on existing LPS. We are based in JHB but can come out to Witbank.
Contact: victor@exoweld.co.za
Hi John, If your thatched lapa is within 4,5m from any boundary or within 9m from any other building on the same property, you are required by law to Fire Protect as well as obtain a Rational Design (Fire Design) issued by a “competent person” in that field. Before you have this done you must make sure the fire retardent that is used is approved by the SABS and the municipalities. You run the risk of your insurance not covering you if this is not done.
Hi Nihan, in 2011 the new SANS 62305-3 was introduced and there might have been a change since your approval 10 years ago. We mainly deal with SANS 10400 but if you contact the Electrical Contractors Association they deal with this every day: ecasa I would advise you to get it done for your insurance.
Contact a company that supplies lightning rods. If yours are rusted you may be able to coat them with an anti-rust product or have them treated in some other way. I really don’t know. Rather ask the people who specialize in this field.
Hi,
We bought a thatch roofed house 5 yrs ago which has 3 lightening rods. What I would like to know id how do I know if they’re up to standard? They look rusted, is there anything that can be done to fix the rust? I’m in Witbank, who could I contact for such help.
Hi Elena, The SANS10400 do not cover lightning conductors, rather the National Standard IEC 62305 covers this and is a specialised field. I suggest contacting one of the conductor installation companies who should be able to give you some guidance
Hi,
I am planning extensions to my thatch roof house. How close to my lightning conductor can I go?
Someone told me that lightning preotectors used to be 20 Ohm and now it has to be 10 Ohm because the lightning became more intense over time. Any truth in that? I have had no communication from my house insurer. Not an expert but sounds like the service provider is trying underhanded tactics to get me to spend R2K to “upgrade” our lighting protector that was SABS approved when we bought the house 10 years ago. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Penny, just recently our complex had some sort of fire inspection and now I have been told that the lapa in my garden needs fire retardant applied, is there a building regulation or law which states I HAVE tohave this done? it was in the property when I moved in and is about 8 years old now.
Pieter, There is some information on this page.
If a thatched roof is constructed with gables, without hips, valleys or dormer windows, it must have a pitch of 45 degrees, and a clear span that is no more than 6 m.
What is the minimum slope for a thatched roof
Hi Jaco,
I have uploaded a “Good Thatching Guide” by the CSIR that you can download on our other site here: ownerbuilding.co.za/document-downloads Just register (free) and you will see the download link on that page. I hope this helps 🙂
What is regulation regarding a thatch attached to a house/structure ?
Ryno, you need to talk to a roofing contractor. The specs for thatch and IBR are quite different. You need to be sure that whatever is supporting the thatch right now will be able to support the new roof covering. I don’t know what condition your thatch roof is in, but if I had a house with a half decent thatched roof, I would get it repaired.
Hi Penny, I want to replace a thatch roof with IBR, do you think it is good idea? What other material would you recommend to replace an thatch roof with?
Thanks
R
I have no knowledge of any but have done a web search.
Surgetek has a branch in KZN.
There are a few listed here, including several in Pinetown.
Here’s another one in Pinetown.
Just double check that they are in fact competent in terms of the law to advise you.
In the form which is the Lightning protection system installation safety report in SANS 10313: 2010, it states “I/We, being the person(s) responsible for the design a, installation a, inspection a, testing a, of the lighting protection system (LPS), am/are competent to certify that the LPS complies with the requirements of SANS 10313.” But it doesn’t specify what this “competence” demands – e.g. the training the person has had.
Hi penny,
Thanks, I live in Pinetown KZN, do you have a contact company that I can call?
Regards
Jeff Niemann
Jeff, We are not equipped to advise on this type of thing. You probably need to consult a lightning protection system (LPS) designer or installer who is a “person who is competent to design, construct and test the LPS for compliance with” SANS 10313 (2010): Protection against lightning – Physical damage to structures and life hazard. Other Standards that you may need to look at include all parts of SANS 62305 & SANS 1063, Earth rods, couplers and connections. At the end of the day, lightning is dangerous in all forms.
Hi, I have installed a aluminum pole extending 5m obove my rooftop to house security cameras. The pole is bolted to the wall of the main building and is resting on the ground. We have had a few strikes in our area. Is this dangerous or can I just earth it with a cable and a copper rod?
Please let me know as I dont want to have a problem.
Thanks and regards
Jeff Niemann