CSA B72-2026

Installation code for lightning protection systems

Preface This is the fourth edition of CSA B72, Installation code for lightning protection systems . It supersedes the previous editions published in 2020, 1987, and 1960. This Code establishes minimum mandatory installation requirements for structural lightning protection systems. Proper adherence to this Code provides protection for life, property, and the sustainable operation of critical infrastructure against the increasing risks posed by lightning discharge in a changing climate. The following are the major changes to this edition: a) titles have been added to each clause in order to enhance accessibility; b) all internal references to the document have been updated to reflect its status as a Code, not a Standard; c) a definition has been provided to clarify the nature of the qualifications required of a lightning protection professional; d) reinforcing steel bars in concrete structures are now explicitly disallowed as a lightning protection conductor; e) down conductor requirements clarified for roofs with multiple roof levels, penthouses, etc.; f) ground rod electrode separation requirements added; g) a section has been added to provide requirements for reroofing projects; h) a section has been added to provide requirements for protection of massed timber structures; and i) the inspection and maintenance annex has been brought into the normative section of the Code. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Code was made possible, in part, by the financial support of a) Dobbyn Lightning Protection Ltd.; b) Rogers Communications Canada Inc.; c) Bell Mobility Inc.; d) Burchell Lightning Protection; e) L.P. Grenier Inc.; f) Lightning Protection Institute; g) Thompson Lightning Protection; h) Western Lightning Protection Ltd.; i) Alberta Lightning Protection Ltd.; j) Island Lightning Rod Co. Ltd.; and k) Dominion Lightning Rod Co., Limited. This Code was prepared by the Technical Committee on Installation Code for Lightning Protection Systems, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Fuels and Appliances, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Code has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Scope 1.1 Code scope This Code covers the protection from lightning of a) recreational, residential, institutional, medical, agricultural, industrial, commercial, military, and telecommunications buildings and structures; b) tall, slender structures such as smokestacks, silos, tanks, towers, masts, and poles; c) immobile property such as equipment, tents, fences, trees, and solar arrays; and d) high-risk structures with dangerous contents such as explosives and flammable goods. 1.2 Electrical equipment protection limitation This Code covers the protection from lightning of structures housing electrical generation, transmission, and distribution systems, as well as structures housing communication systems, but not the equipment or installation requirements for such systems. 1.3 Exclusions and limitations This Code does not cover installation requirements for early streamer emission systems or charge dissipation/charge transfer systems. There is no standard or conformity assessment body for Canadian installations of these devices. 1.4 Non-mandatory sections This Code also contains non-mandatory sections devoted to the nature of lightning and the general principles upon which lightning protection is based, so that the user of the Code will be able to assess the need for lightning protection in the case of any given structure (see Annexes Athrough C). 1.5 Terminology In this Code, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Code; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Code. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 1.6 Units of measurement The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Code. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.