Technical
lightning access specialists
ATLAS Stays one step ahead!
ATLAS - Association of Technical Lightning and Access
Specialists has demonstrated once again why it is the leading
organisation in the Specialist Access and Lightning Protection
Industry with the launch of the first BSEN 62305 lightning
protection training workshops.
The arrival of the new British Standard for Lightning
Protection, which as taken over 20 years and literally 100’s of
lightning protection experts from 28 different countries to rite
has dominated the media in recent months. The sheer size of the
new document five times the size of its predecessor, where the
most significant changes are to the approach and amplification
of risk assessment, has sent many experts reeling.
ATLAS is determined to lead by example and has established the
first set of BSEN 62305 Introductory workshops in the UK. These
are exclusive to ATLAS members and are designed to make the
transition to the new standard as easy as possible.John
Sherlock, Chairman of the ATLAS Lightning Conductor Technical
Committee has been representing the UK at IEC and CENELEC level.
He is also a member of the BSI Technical Committee that has
produced the new BSEN 62305.
"While this new, true European Standard is an amazing
achievement for international cooperation and technical
convergence, ATLAS has some justifiable concerns on the one
hand, for the first time ever, we have the foundation for a
globally accepted lightning protection standard that meets
today’s needs. On the other, we must ensure that this
culmination of such a vast amount of hard work carred out by
technical bodies throughout the world over a 25 year period does
not fall by the wayside because it cannot be understood by the
actual installer. We all recognise how vitally important it is
that everyone gets to grips with the practical changes as
quickly as possible.”
John Sherlock - Chairman ATLAS Lightning - Conductor Technical
Committee
ATLAS ADVANTAGE
From August 2008 all clients, major contractors and employers
will require proof of BSEN 62305 accreditation from its
subcontractors. ATLAS is preparing its members now to ensure
they maintain their competitive advantage. Consequently, ATLAS
expect a record umber of e membership applications as companies
quickly realise that only by becoming an ATLAS member can they
ain
access to this invaluable training.
“This is a unique opportunity for companies in a homogeneous
market to cement their professionalism and differentiate
themselves from competitions both at home and abroad. The ATLAS
BSEN 62305 workshops and subsequent accreditation will become
the industry benchmark by which professionals will be judged!”
Robert Bird - ATLAS President
HOW DOES BSEN 62305 WORK?
The biggest challenge ATLAS face is how to communicate
effectively the most significant difference between the new
standard and the old: namely the practical application of the e
risk assessment. The old standard devoted about 6 pages to
ascertaining whether lightning protection was required to
protect a structure. The new part 2 of BSEN 62305 has over 100
pages and takes into account not only the structure but also the
services (telecom and power etc.) that supply it. Service
entrance lightning current Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) now
form an integral part of the recommended structural lightning
protection and many more weighting factors must now be taken
into account.
The ATLAS Workshop focuses on Risk Management, where the most
changes have occurred. It
provides a practical balance between theory and on site
application, using scenarios operatives are
likely to face on a daily basis. This training takes the form of
a concentrated but manageable one day
workshop, based on the highly successful pilot run by the ATLAS
Lightning Protection Sub Committee last November. Once members
have covered parts 1 and 2 of the new standard, additional
workshops will be made available to cover parts 3 and 4. A full
accreditation test will the be made exclusively available to all
ATLAS members to give them that all important competitive edge!
“It is absolutely essential for everyone in our Industry to
attend this vital course to understand the fundamental
principles of the new risk management under BSEN 62305.”
Mike Hensha - ATLAS Workshop Co-ordinator
The knowledge gap this new training fills is so important that
the next two years could mean the
difference between staying in and going out of business. There
is clearly a real opportunity for
installers to become the absolute specialists in this subject
and so make themselves invaluable to
consultants and their clients alike. More info at
www.atlas-1.org.uk
Email:
info@atlas-1.org.uk