Everyone has a question like this at the back of their minds. What if there is a storm on the horizon? Can I take shelter inside the steel building? Or, do I need to seek shelter in a non-metallic building?
The answer to this is yes and no. Yes, you can seek shelter inside the steel building, but you need to make sure that you are in a safe area of the building.
Can lightning strike the ground from a building?
Yes, lightning can strike a building as long as it is tall enough. Lightning can even strike from a suborbital rocket that is orbiting. The importance of lightning-striking structures is the height of the building.
Lightning is usually attracted to tall structures. The taller a building is, the more it is at risk of getting struck by lightning. However, lightning can strike at any time and anything taller than a tree is at risk.
If you are ever in a situation in which lightning strikes a very tall structure, it is best to move away as far as you can. Lightning can travel through water and over metal, so you should have nothing conductive on your person and get as far away from any standing water as possible.
Know what happens when lightning strikes a metal building.
Are people inside the steel building safe from lightning?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the safety of people inside a steel building from lightning depends on a number of factors. However, in general, people inside a steel building are safer from lightning than people outside the building.
One reason people inside a steel building are safer from lightning is that the metal in the building conducts electricity away from the people inside. Additionally, the steel building will typically be taller than any nearby trees or other objects that could potentially be struck by lightning. This height will also help to dissipate the energy from a lightning strike.
However, there are some risks associated with being inside a steel building during a lightning storm. For example, a lightning strike could cause the metal in the building to heat up and start a fire. Additionally, a steel building can act as a Faraday cage, trapping electric charges inside. This can cause an intense electric shock if someone touches a metal object inside the building.
Conclusion
The quick answer is yes, people inside steel buildings are generally safe from lightning. However, there are a number of factors that can affect this, so no definitive answer can be given. Some of the potential risks include metal framing that can act as a lightning conductor, electrical wiring and components, and large windows that can allow lightning to enter the building.
