Site Audits
Comprehensive facility assessment services evaluating existing lightning protection, surge protection, and earthing systems for compliance with current standards, identification of deficiencies, and recommendations for system improvements.
Service Overview
Site audits provide independent third-party assessment of lightning protection, surge protection, and earthing systems for existing facilities. Aetheric conducts detailed inspections documenting system condition, verifying standards compliance, identifying hazards, and recommending corrective actions. Our audits serve multiple purposes including due diligence for facility acquisitions, periodic verification for asset integrity programs, investigation following lightning incidents, and validation of protection system modifications.
The audit process combines visual inspection, documentation review, and selective testing to evaluate system adequacy. We assess compliance with applicable standards that may have been updated since original installation, identify components requiring maintenance or replacement, and evaluate whether protection systems including SPD installations remain appropriate for current facility operations and equipment sensitivity.
Audit Methodology
Aetheric's audit methodology follows international inspection standards including IEC 62305-3 (Inspection of Lightning Protection Systems), AS/NZS 1768, and IEEE 998 (Guide for Direct Lightning Stroke Shielding). The process begins with review of available documentation including original design drawings, as-built documentation, previous inspection reports, and maintenance records. This establishes baseline understanding of the installed system and identifies areas requiring particular attention.
Site walkthrough inspection systematically evaluates all protection system components. Air termination systems are assessed for adequate coverage using rolling sphere analysis, physical condition, corrosion, damage, and proper mounting. Down conductors are traced from air termination systems to earth termination, verifying conductor sizing, routing, connections, and bonding to structural steel. Earth termination systems including ground grids, foundation earthing, and supplementary electrodes are inspected for accessibility, condition, and test point availability.
Internal lightning protection including equipotential bonding, surge protective devices, and cable shielding is evaluated for proper installation, coordination, and maintenance. SPD inspections verify appropriate Type classifications (Type 1, 2, 3 per IEC 61643 and AS/NZS 61643), proper installation including lead length minimization, end-of-life indicators, and connection integrity. Bonding connections to services, equipment, and structural elements are verified for integrity and adequacy per AS/NZS 3000.
Gap Analysis & Compliance Assessment
Audit findings are compared against current standard requirements including IEC 62305, AS/NZS 1768, AS/NZS 3000, and AS/NZS 4852.1 to identify gaps between existing installations and best practices. Standards evolve over time; facilities installed to previous code editions may not comply with current requirements. Our gap analysis documents specific non-conformances, assesses their significance for safety and protection effectiveness, and prioritizes corrective actions.
For critical deficiencies presenting immediate hazards, we recommend urgent corrective action. Lesser issues are prioritized based on risk reduction, operational impact, and cost-effectiveness. The audit report provides a roadmap for system upgrades aligned with facility risk tolerance and budget constraints.
Testing & Verification
Selective testing during site audits verifies system performance parameters. Earth resistance measurements using the Megger DET2/3 validate that earthing system resistance meets design requirements per AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 4852.1. Continuity tests identify high-resistance connections requiring maintenance. Surge protective device inspection verifies proper installation, appropriate ratings per IEC 61643 and AS/NZS 61643, and need for replacement based on manufacturer recommendations or end-of-life indicators.
When visual inspection or preliminary testing reveals potential issues, more comprehensive testing may be recommended. This might include detailed soil resistivity surveys using XGSLab's soil analysis capabilities to support earthing enhancement design, touch and step voltage measurements if safety concerns are identified, or electromagnetic interference assessment if equipment problems suggest inadequate protection.
Documentation & Reporting
Audit findings are documented through comprehensive reports including annotated photographs, marked-up drawings showing deficiencies, and detailed recommendations. Each identified issue includes description, location, standards reference (IEC 62305, AS/NZS 1768, AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 61643), risk assessment, and recommended corrective action with estimated scope.
Reports prioritize recommendations by safety criticality and provide cost-benefit justification for major system upgrades. For facilities with multiple buildings or complex protection systems, findings may be organized by subsystem or priority category to guide implementation planning.
Industry Applications
Facility Acquisitions
Pre-purchase assessment identifying protection system adequacy, SPD condition, and required capital expenditure for new owners.
Asset Integrity Programs
Periodic audits verifying continued compliance with AS/NZS 1768 and AS/NZS 3000, and identifying maintenance requirements for industrial and utility facilities.
Post-Incident Investigation
Assessment following lightning damage to identify protection system deficiencies and prevent recurrence.
Regulatory Compliance
Independent verification for facilities subject to occupational safety or environmental regulations requiring lightning protection certification.
Deliverables
- Comprehensive audit report documenting inspection findings, test results, and assessment methodology per IEC 62305-3 and AS/NZS 1768.
- Annotated photographs and drawings identifying deficiencies and non-compliances.
- Standards compliance assessment comparing existing installation against current requirements (IEC 62305, AS/NZS 1768, AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 61643, AS/NZS 4852.1).
- SPD condition assessment with replacement recommendations.
- Prioritized recommendations for corrective actions with implementation guidance.
- Cost estimates for recommended system upgrades and maintenance activities.
- As-found system documentation suitable for facility records and future reference.
