Monday, April 14, 2008

LIGHTING RODS--WHY DID RABBI AND WIFE LOSE THEIR LIVES IN A LIGHTNING STRIKE?

On Saturday a prominent Westchester Rabbi and his wife lost their lives after lightning hit their home. I asked the Building Inspector about our the building code. I was under the impression that homes are protected from lightning. This is Building Inspector John Lucido's response:

The State Building Code, Chapter 35, requires grounding rods on all buildings. Grounding rods are connected to the earth and has a ground wire connected from the outside electric service panel to the grounding rod. This protects the electric service from a fire during a lightning strike. It won’t, however, protect if lightning strikes the wood roof rafters then extends fire to the shingles and interior of a house or building. These types of strikes are infrequent but do rarely happen, as was the case for the poor Rabbi and his wife.

John Lucido

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

A direct lightning strike to a structure is *extremely* rare, even in high lightning areas. If a homeowner wishes to place air terminals ("lightning rods") atop the house along with a building lightning protection system, that's certainly her or his right. But the costs outweigh the risks, and it cannot be mandated by a municipality. I wish Greenburgh would attend to the essential matters that taxpayers pay for, i.e. sweeping clogged sewer grates and roadway medians, etc.

Anonymous said...

I do not believe that our Supervisor suggested that the town mandate more costly lightning rods. The Supervisor seems to be offering the community important information. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

The information supplied by the supervisor and above all the building supervisor was very informative.
How many homes do have lightening rods embedded in the dirt?
Their comments are being stated as to how lives may be saved.
The work that should be done by the DPW is another matter.
The comment made by 10:00 is way off base.
Two people lost their lives and you are concerned about cleanups.
Any information that is given to save lives is welcomed.

Anonymous said...

Info is good. I just fear that Mr. Feiner will want to spend time attempting to legislate that all new homes have extensive lightning protection systems. His primary job focus needs to be on the management of everyday services, but he gets so easily distracted.

Anonymous said...

We do not need the supervisor to tell us what and how to save lives.
Every home should have the protection against lightning
It is a shame that two beautiful people had to loose their lives to show us what it needed in all our homes OLD OR NEW.
.

Anonymous said...

the super is providing an important public service.

Anonymous said...

Hey Feiner - how about REQUIRING commercial properties meet the toughest safety standards - rather than just looking a individually owned residential properties?
When Greenburgh can boast the highest safety standards are being met by all commercial landlords, I will be delighted to support the desire to exceed the highest standards for personal residences, but not a moment before!

Anonymous said...

We need to ease burdens for commercial property owners, not increase them. That's why White Plains and Yonkers are flourishing, and Greenburgh is on its way to becoming a commercial ghost town.

Anonymous said...

Well let's just stop taxiong commercial properties and put the full burden of running the greater greenburgh peoples republic openly and directly on middle and upper class single family residential properties? Then we can elect Feiner commissar for life and get on with the rest of our own lives.