Transport for London is one of several infrastructure operators on our client list, alongside Network Rail and London Underground. These are organisations that pre-qualify their contractors, audit them, and re-audit them, which is a large part of why we hold the accreditations we do.
The lightning protection itself is not unusual. An air termination network, down conductors, an earth termination system and bonding, designed to the protection class the BS EN 62305-2 assessment produces. On a transport asset the engineering is rarely the hard part.
What makes the work different is everything wrapped around it. Access is booked rather than assumed. Possessions and permits govern when anyone can be on site and for how long. Isolation has to be arranged and proved. Induced voltages from traction systems have to be considered in the earthing arrangement. And nothing can overrun, because the asset has to be handed back on time.
This is the sector where our decision not to subcontract earns its keep. The people who attend have to already hold the right cards, already understand the permit regime, and already know how the site operates. That is difficult to guarantee when labour is placed through an agency and the crew changes between visits.
It also means the engineer testing the system next year is likely to be someone who has been there before and who has the previous readings to compare against, rather than someone starting from a blank certificate.
If you manage infrastructure assets and need lightning protection designed, installed or tested, call us on 01892 667258.
