Lightning Protection @ Burj Khalifa, Dubai.

Technical Paper

Sonjib Banerjee
(Member IEEE, CIGRE, NFPA, CBIP)
Manav Group of Companies
Middle East Chapter
Dubai
[email protected]

This paper deals with LPS as implemented at the Burj Khalifa,

the tallest structure in the World. The LPS amalgamates the The photograph shows the static field distribution, interaction
advantages of Early Streamer Emission systems and Passive Air and overlap that occurs from the topmost point of the Burj.
Termination systems to safely dissipate the lightning using
structural steel. The piles and peripheral earth pits which are
treated with permanent earth enhancing compounds provide
effective dissipation of lightning.

I. DESIGN CONCEPTS
Detailed environmental data, dimension of the structure,
Isochronic number of the location, Geometry of structures in
the vicinity enabled the calculation of probability strike at
various levels of the humongous structure. An appropriate
combination of LPS was then designed and accepted by Mr.
John Walker of Hyder Consultants and other relevant bodies.

A. Clouds in UAE
Stratus, Cumulis Humilis, Cumulis Mediocris and
Nimbostratus which may occur at heights between 500 – 2000
m in UAE, appear to be touching the intermediate levels of the
Burj. Of the above-mentioned clouds, only the Nimbostratus
clouds may show the property of precipitation and involve low
intensity lightning. The remaining low level clouds are either
too fragmented or an extension of a high level fog. There is no
danger of a flash-over to the tower from clouds other than
Nimbostratus clouds.

The charges of the Nimbostratus clouds which come in contact

with the building shall get grounded due to solidly grounded
steel structure and equi-potential bonding. The real lightning B. Metrology & Seismology Data from NCMS UAE
hazard is from Class B (Middle Level) and Class D (Vertical) During winter, cold and dry North Easterly winds called
Nimbostratus clouds. These clouds start from 2000 m and can “Elnashi” and North Westerly winds called “Shamal” brings
go a few thousand meters high based on the upward thrust of temperature down causing strong wind and rain. The amount
hot air which is prevalent in the region. Hence, in case of any and frequency of rainfall vary significantly. During spring, rain
static discharge on Burj Khalifa, an over whelming percentage and thunder storm can appear through an active weather over
of the discharges shall be at the top of the structure as the Northern Gulf.
envisaged in NFC, BS and NFPA. The summer may see thunderstorms develop on Hajar
Mountains due to side effects of the Indian monsoon over
Oman Sea causing local instability.

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During September, early morning fog is noticed. November D. Lightning Protection System
may see extensive clouds. The lightning protection system comprises of air terminal,
down conduction and Earthing.
1) Air Terminal
The air termination system used at the pinnacle is an ESEAT-
SATELIT 3 60 manufactured by Duval Messien, France. This
system receives the maximum brunt of the lightning on the
Burj. There have been approx. 18 discharges on the unit since
the time of installation. The unit was brought down for a
thorough check and physical inspection before being
reinstalled.

C. Dimensional Challenges of the Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is approx. 828 m tall, having a length of
approx. 216 m and a width of approx. 189 m. It is an isolated
structure in the vicinity of other towers having a height of
approx. 80 to 150 m. The entire structure is built around a core
with an onion peel support system balancing the massive
structure from wind stress.
The design of Burj Khalifa is derived from patterning systems
embodied in Islamic architecture. The spiral minaret coils and
grows slender as it rises. The Y-shaped plan is ideal for
residential and hotel usage, with the wings allowing maximum
outward views and inward natural light. As the tower rises
from the flat desert base, there are 27 setbacks in a spiraling
pattern, decreasing the cross section of the tower as it reaches
towards the sky and creating convenient outdoor terraces. At
the top, the central core emerges & is sculpted to form a
finishing spire. At its tallest point, the tower sways a total of
1.5 m.
The unprecedented height of the building, is supported by
buttressed core which consists of a hexagonal core reinforced The side flashes are protected by Satelit 3 system along with
by three buttresses that form the ‘Y' shape. This structural the Class 1 mesh protection created by the metallic frame of
system enables the building to support itself laterally and keeps the Façade. The Satelit 3 system is installed on a mast which is
it from twisting. directly welded to the metallic structure. A Duval Messien
lightning counter is installed to count the no of lightning
The spire of Burj Khalifa is composed of more than 4,000 tons flashes. The pinnacle assembly drawing shows the Installation
of structural steel. The central pinnacle pipe weighs 350 tons. It details.
was constructed from inside the building and jacked to its full
height of over 200 m (660 ft). The spire also houses
communications equipment.

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On a lighter note, dignitaries often scale the pinnacle to touch b) Treated earth pits
and feel the very tip of the Burj Khalifa TEREC+ artificial treatment compound has been suitably
modified to form an effective curec slurry as per clause
14.5 (d) of IEEE 80 2000. Some earth pits use the SIGMA
EARTH technique to create reflection free earthing to
achieve low resistance even in harsh soil conditions.
Cross-section area as per equation 37 of IEEE 80 2000,
surface area of conductor in touch with soil as per clause 15
of BS 7430 1998 and potential gradients on the ground as
per clause 16.2 of BS 7430 1998 had to be followed.
4) Lightning Risk Analysis based on BSEN 62305 Part-2
The probability of lightning strike was calculated at
various levels of the tower and a detailed risk analysis was
performed as per BS6651 1999. The risk analysis of the
structure as per the current BS EN 62305 Part-2 is as
follows:

2) Down conductor
The metallic frame of the façade forms the external spatial
shield whereas the column reinforcement forms the internal
spatial ring. The external and internal spatial rings are bonded
to form an equi-potential zone as per BSEN 62305 part 3. The
effective earthing and bonding has been carried out by M/s
Furse, UK. A snap-shot of the bonding is detailed as under.

E. Installation Challenges
Burj Khalifa, at the time could be mechanically accessed up to
approx.. 620 meters. Rest of the height, (approx. 200 meters)
had to be climbed using monkey ladders. Resting ring at
intermediate heights provided the necessary relief to the
commissioning team.

A 1.2 meter diameter primary spire element needed to house

3 High Intensity Aircraft warning lights, 3 Sonimometers and
a Satelit 3 system. With tremendous space restriction, the
Satelit 3 was mounted on to a 32mm CS pipe that was directly
3) Earthing System welded to the Pinnacle body at multiple places to avoid
The earthing system comprises of pile earthing and treated fatigue. The lightning counter had to be mounted parallel to
earth pits. the Pipe using a braided copper tape that was clamped to the
a) Pile earth mounting pipe using Bimetallic clamps. It was one of the most
challenging ESEAT installations in the world.
The pile earth should comply with Clause 14.6 of IEEE
80 2000 in order to effectively dissipate energies of the
The installation was carried out in very tight place. A
surge without heating the concrete. Ollendroff formula
commission team comprising of Mr. Pankaj Dixit and Mr.
gives the effective dissipation of current through each
Arun Kumar Bhat from Manav Enterprise Middle East FZCO
pile.
successfully commissioned the Satelit 3 system experiencing
structural sway of approx. 1.0 mt at the top due to wind. The

Manav Enterprise Middle East FZCO www.manav.ae Manav Energy Pvt. Ltd.
Satelit 3 system, along with the PATS today protects a vertical Technical organizations like the Manav Group provides end-
city. to-end solutions for safe-guarding structures from damaging
effects of electric and magnetic fields through effective
lightning protection systems, static compensation systems and
safe earthing solutions. The end-to-end solution must
encompas audit, design, supply, installation and
commissioning as per International Standards compliant to
local regulatory requirements.

III. TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATIONS

Term Description

ESEAT Early Streamer Emission Air Terminal

PATS Passive Air Terminal System

FCS Faraday Cage System

LPS Lightning Protection System

F. Advancements in LPS and ES for Future Towers
It is becoming obligatory to connect LPS and ES to the BMS EP Earth Pit
or BIS of the towers. A significant development has been
PEC Permanent Earth Enhancing Compound
made in the world in this regard. These systems are already
under trial for various applications. IP connectivity helps these UAE United Arab Emirates
systems to be used for conditioned monitoring enabling
preemptive actions to save life, livestock and assets NCMS National center of Metrology and
Seismology of UAE

ES Earthing System

BMS Building Management System

BIS Building Intelligence System

IV. REFERENCES
Document Document
No./Location
Protection of structure & open area against lightning using NFC 17 102
active air terminal 2011
British Standard: Protection against lightning BSEN 62305
Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems NFPA 780
IEEE Guide for AC IEEE 80 2000
IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial IEEE 142
and Commercial Power Systems 1991
II. CONCLUSION
IEEE Recommended Practice for Powering & Grounding IEEE 1100
The use of ESEAT in conjunction with PATS forms an Electronic Equipment 2005
effective air termination defense from descending lightning.
IEEE Guide for Measurement of Impedance and Safety IEEE 81-2-
Down conductors along with structural reinforcements keep Characteristics of Large, Extended or Interconnected 1991
all the components of tower at equi-potential. The piles and Grounding Systems
peripheral earth ring can effectively discharge faults or surges. IEEE Guide for Generating Station Grounding IEEE 665 -
Safety is achieved through design. Products can form only a 1995
component of a safe design.
.

Manav Enterprise Middle East FZCO www.manav.ae Manav Energy Pvt. Ltd.