R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712: GENERAL

under Lightning Rods Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.14

Versions

	revoked or spent January 1, 2011
	October 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010
	February 18, 2005 – September 30, 2010
	December 31, 1990 – February 17, 2005
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Lightning Rods Act

R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 712

GENERAL

Note: This Regulation was revoked on January 1, 2011. See: O. Reg. 378/10, ss. 1, 2.

Last amendment: O. Reg. 378/10.

This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.

SKIP TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS

		Sections
	Definitions	1-2
	Materials	3-15
	Down-Conductors	16-19
	Fasteners	20-22
	Where Fasteners May Be Omitted	23
	Air-Terminals	24-29
	Groundings	30-41
	Interconnection and Grounding of Metallic Bodies	42-47
	Conducting Materials and Methods for Grounding Metal Bodies	48-51
	Miscellaneous Structures	52-56
	Applications and Licences	57-60
	Certificate of Installation	61
	Report of Inspector	62
Form 1	Application for licence
Form 2	Licence
Form 3	Application for agent’s licence
Form 4	Agent’s licence
Form 5	Certificate of installation
Form 6	Inspector’s report

Definitions

1. In this Regulation,

“air-terminal” means a pointed tube or rod extending upwards from a conductor; (“borne aérienne”)

“air-terminal support” means a device used for the purpose of holding an air-terminal firmly in position; (“support de borne aérienne”)

“auxiliary grounding” means an additional grounding connected to a main grounding; (“prise de terre auxiliaire”)

“bonded” means in permanent and tight mechanical and electrical contact; (“mis à la masse”)

“branch-conductor” means a conductor that branches off at an angle from a continuous run of conductor; (“conducteur dérivé”)

“cable” means a number of wires twisted or braided to form a conductor; (“câble”)

“conductor” means the portion of a system that is designed to carry the current of a lightning discharge to ground; (“conducteur”)

“cone of protection” means a vertical cone that has an air-terminal point at its apex and with the radius of its base not greater than the vertical height of the air-terminal above the base; (“cône de protection”)

“connector” means a device used to make a connection between two conductors or between a conductor and another part of a system or between a conductor and a metallic object; (“raccord”)

“copper-clad steel” means steel having a continuous coating of copper welded to it, the coating of copper constituting at least one-fourth of the total cross-sectional area; (“acier recouvert de cuivre”)

“dead-end conductor” means a conductor having no grounding other than through the conductor from which it branches; (“conducteur à bout mort”)

“down-conductor” means the vertical portion of a conductor that ends at a ground connection; (“conducteur de descente”)

“fastener” means a device used to hold a conductor in place; (“fixation”)

“flat roof” means a roof that is horizontal or has a vertical rise of not more than one foot for each six feet measured horizontally; (“toit plat”)

“galvanized” means protected with a coating of zinc capable of withstanding four one-minute immersions in a saturated copper sulphate solution without showing a fixed deposit of copper; (“galvanisé”)

“gauge” means a measure of the diameter of wire or the thickness of sheet metal in accordance with the American Wire Gauge or Brown and Sharpe Gauge Standards; (“calibre”)

“grounding” means the portion of a conductor underground that makes electrical contact with the earth; (“prise de terre”)

“ground-rod” means a solid rod of copper, copper-clad steel or galvanized steel that is used as a grounding; (“tige de mise à la terre”)

“independent grounding” means a grounding that is connected to some metallic object but not to the main system; (“prise de terre indépendante”)

“main grounding” means the portion of a grounding that is the direct continuation of a down-conductor; (“prise de terre principale”)

“metal-clad” means having sides made of or covered with metal; (“à revêtement métallique”)

“metal-roofed” means having a roof made of or covered with metal; (“à toiture métallique”)

“system” means materials assembled and installed on a building or structure for the purpose of protecting the building or structure from damage by lightning. (“système”) R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 1.

2. Sections 3 to 56 do not apply to,

(a) tall chimneys of power, heating and processing plants; or

(b) explosive-magazines, or tanks and reservoirs for flammable liquids. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 2.

Materials

3. (1) Materials used in a system shall be copper, copper alloy or aluminum unless they are,

(a) copper-clad steel and galvanized steel rods used as groundings;

(b) galvanized iron used for air-terminal supports, connectors, nails, screws, bolts, plates for making connections to a metal roof or metal siding, and separators between copper or copper alloy and aluminum; and

(c) lead used as anchors or to protect other materials from corrosion or to separate copper or copper alloy and aluminum. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 3 (1).

(2) Aluminum, whether it is part of a system or part of a structure on which it is installed, shall not be in contact with copper or copper alloy at points of attachment or connection. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 3 (2).

(3) Aluminum shall not be installed underground or embedded in concrete or masonry. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 3 (3).

4. (1) Except as provided in subsections 48 (2) and (3), cable shall,

(a) consist of not less than seven wires of soft drawn copper or aluminum, and no wire shall be less than 17-gauge copper or 14-gauge aluminum;

(b) on structures not exceeding sixty feet in height, weigh,

(i) if of copper, not less than three ounces a linear foot, and

(ii) if of aluminum, not less than two ounces a linear foot; and

(i) if of copper, not less than four ounces a linear foot, and

(ii) if of aluminum, not less than 2.75 ounces a linear foot. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 4 (1).

(2) Where a structure consists of sections of different heights, the cable protecting each section shall weigh at least as much as the cable required for separate structures of the same respective heights. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 4 (2).

5. (1) Joints in cable conductors and connections to cable conductors shall withstand a pull of 200 pounds and provide permanent electrical contact. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 5 (1).

(2) A straight cable connection shall be made with a connector of at least 17-gauge malleable copper or copper alloy or 14-gauge aluminum and shall be of such design as ensures contact of the connector with at least three inches of each of the interconnected cables. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 5 (2).

(3) A T or Y cable connection shall be made,

(a) with a connector of at least 17-gauge malleable copper or copper alloy or 14-gauge aluminum and shall be of such design as ensures contact of the connector with at least one inch of the continuous run of cable and,

(i) where the connector is bolted, ensures contact with at least two inches of the branch cable, or

(ii) where the connector is crimped, ensures contact with at least three inches of the branch cable; or

(b) by unravelling at least ten inches of the end of one cable and dividing it into two equal or nearly equal parts and tightly wrapping the two parts in opposite directions around and along the other cable and securing the ends of the wires against becoming loose. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 5 (3).

(4) Where two cables cross each other, they shall be bonded by a crimped, bolted or riveted connector fitted snugly around both cables or by wrapping them together at the intersection with not less than four loops of 14-gauge or larger wire. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 5 (4).

6. (1) Except as provided in subsections 48 (2) and (3), strap conductors shall be at least 17-gauge copper or 14-gauge aluminum, not less than 1½ inches wide on buildings and structures not exceeding sixty feet in height, and not less than two inches wide on buildings and structures exceeding sixty feet in height. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 6 (1).

(2) Holes in strap conductors to accommodate bolts, rivets and screws shall be spaced at least three-quarters of an inch from centre to centre and at least one-quarter of an inch from the edges of the strap. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 6 (2).

(3) When used to ground or interconnect metallic bodies, strap conductors shall have only such holes as are necessary for fasteners, connections and adjustment of the strap. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 6 (3).

7. (1) A straight, T or Y strap connection shall be made by means of at least two bolts or two rivets and with an overlap equal to the width of the strap. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 7 (1).

(2) Where two strap conductors cross, they shall be bonded by means of a bolt or rivet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 7 (2).

(3) Rivets and bolts used in making strap connections shall be of at least one-quarter of an inch in diameter and of suitable length to ensure a tight connection. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 7 (3).

8. (1) A T or Y connection shall be made,

(a) between a continuous run of cable and a strap conductor,

(i) with a connector tightly fitted around at least one inch of the cable and secured to the strap conductor by one bolt or two rivets, or

(ii) by bolting or rivetting the strap conductor around and in tight contact with the cable; and

(b) between a branch cable and a strap conductor with a connector,

(i) tightly fitted around at least two inches of the cable, if the connector is bolted, or at least three inches, if it is crimped, and

(ii) secured to the strap conductor by one bolt or two rivets. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 8 (1).

(2) A cross connection between a cable and a strap conductor shall be made by means of a 17-gauge copper, or 14-gauge aluminum, connector,

(a) shaped to fit over the cable; and

(b) secured to the strap conductor by means of bolts or rivets. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 8 (2).

9. Except as provided in subsection 49 (2) and subsection 50 (2), extended metal attachments or metal parts of buildings and structures shall not be substituted for conductors unless the metal is permanently electrically continuous and consists of copper, copper alloy or aluminum with an exposed area of at least eight inches in width throughout its length or a solid cross-sectional area of at least 1½ square inches, but, for monuments or similar structures, heavy and extensive parts consisting of other conducting metals and weighing at least three pounds a linear foot may be used instead of conductors. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 9.

10. (1) Except as provided in subsection 49 (2) and subsection 50 (2), conductors shall be coursed over roofs and along roof-ridges and parapets so as to interconnect the air-terminals in as direct a path as is practicable and over the eaves in as direct a path as is practicable to the best locations for ground connections, but, where the nature or construction of a roof is such that it is difficult or objectionable to make attachments to the roof, the conductor may be coursed on the facing-board parallel to the roof, and a connection shall be made near the eaves between any metal eavestrough and the conductor, and in the case of metal roofs, between the metal eaves and the conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 10 (1).

(2) There shall be at least two down-conductors on each building and structure except flag poles, masts, similar slender objects and silos that do not require more than one grounding under subsection 53 (3). R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 10 (2).

(3) On flat roofs, conductors shall be coursed within two feet of the edges of the roof or on the parapets, but on flat roofs of dormers, conductors are not required within two feet of eaves that are less than fifty feet in length. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 10 (3).

(4) On a flat roof, in addition to conductors within two feet of the edges of the roof or on the parapets, conductors shall be coursed over the roof so that there are parallel conductors not more than fifty feet apart,

(a) in one direction if the shorter dimension of the roof is more than fifty feet but less than 100 feet; and

(b) in two directions if the shorter dimension is 100 feet or more. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 10 (4).

11. (1) No dead-end conductor shall exceed sixteen feet in length. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (1).

(2) No conductor shall be electrically insulated from the building or structure on which it is installed. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (2).

(3) Except as provided in subsection 31 (2) for the protection of groundings from corrosion, no conductor shall be run through metal pipe other than pipe of copper, copper alloy or aluminum, and the conductor shall be electrically connected to each end of the pipe. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (3).

(4) No conductor shall be coursed across a roof-slope near the eaves or in any other location where snow or ice might dislodge or damage the conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (4).

(5) No conductor shall be suspended for a distance of more than four feet without adequate intermediate support. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (5).

(6) Any conductor around a chimney, eaves or other projecting part of a structure shall not be coursed abruptly, but shall be coursed on an open curve or angle. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (6).

(7) Where practicable, no conductor shall be less than six feet from metal frames and cases of electrical equipment, metal conduits and other metal raceways, but if a separation of six feet is not practicable, they shall be interconnected with the conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (7).

(8) Where practicable, no conductor shall be within six feet of,

(a) exposed electric or telephone wires; or

(b) radio or television antennae. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (8).

(9) No conductor shall be within six feet of a tank containing a flammable liquid or gas. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 11 (9).

12. Conductors shall be coursed neatly and sufficiently tight to present a good appearance, but on grain elevators and other structures subject to physical deformation through cycles of loading and unloading, the conductors shall have sufficient flexibility to guard against breakage. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 12.

13. Conductors shall be coursed so that there is not a rise of more than ten inches from any point in the conductor to any other point in the conductor in reaching at least one grounding, except that in the case of dead-end conductors there shall not be more than a six-inch rise, and in no case shall there be a rise of more than one inch in any two inches horizontally. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 13.

14. Where practicable, no conductor shall be within six feet of metal stalls, stanchions, litter-carrier tracks, pipes, posts, beams, water-tanks, stoves, furnaces or other interior metal objects, but if it is within six feet the conductor shall be connected to them, as prescribed in section 45. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 14.

15. Where a cupola, ventilator or other obstruction prevents a straight run of conductor, the conductor shall be coursed horizontally around the obstruction and, where the obstruction is of size or design requiring more than one air-terminal, the conductor shall also be coursed over the obstruction. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 15.

Down-Conductors

16. (1) On rectangular buildings and structures with roofs other than flat roofs there shall be at least two down-conductors, and, if the structure is more than 100 feet in length, there shall be an additional down-conductor for each sixty feet or part thereof in excess of 100 feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 16 (1).

(2) On rectangular buildings and structures with flat roofs there shall be at least two down-conductors and, where the perimeter of the building is more than 200 feet, there shall be an additional down-conductor for each 100 feet or part thereof in excess of 200 feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 16 (2).

17. (1) On buildings with L, T or off-set wing portions, conductors shall be provided for the main portion as if it were independent of the wing portions, but, where practicable, the down-conductors on the main portion may serve as down-conductors for the wing portions by connecting the conductors on the wing portions to them. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 17 (1).

(2) A wing portion of a building having its roof-ridge on the same level as, or less than five feet below, the roof-ridge of the main portion, measured along the roof-slope, shall have an additional down-conductor for each eighty feet of length or part thereof, measured along the wall or foundation, and the conductors on the wing portion and the main portion shall be interconnected at the junction of the two ridges. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 17 (2).

(3) Except as provided in section 54, a wing portion of a building having its roof-ridge more than five feet below the roof-ridge of the main portion, measured along the roof-slope, shall have two down-conductors and, where the wing portion is more than 100 feet in length, measured along the wall or foundation, the wing portion shall have an additional down-conductor for each sixty feet of length or part thereof in excess of 100 feet and, where the roof-ridge of a wing portion intersects the upper half of a main roof, the conductor on the ridge of the wing portion shall be connected with the conductor of the ridge of the main portion. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 17 (3).

18. (1) Where the roof-ridge of the interconnecting portion of an H-shaped building is not more than ten inches below the roof-ridges of the main portions of the building, the roof-ridge of the interconnecting portion shall have a down-conductor if its roof-ridge extends more than 100 feet, and an additional down-conductor if the roof-ridge extends more than 140 feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 18 (1).

(2) Where the roof-ridge of the interconnecting portion of an H-shaped building is more than ten inches below the roof-ridges of the main portions of the building, the roof-ridge of the interconnecting portion shall have a down-conductor and, if the roof-ridge extends more than sixty feet, an additional down-conductor for each sixty feet of interconnecting roof-ridge or part thereof in excess of sixty feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 18 (2).

19. (1) Down-conductors on schools shall be protected from damage or displacement by means of wood in the form of moulding, box or trough extending to a height of at least ten feet from the ground and securely fastened to the wall,

(a) on wood, by at least two metal straps and screws; and

(b) on brick or masonry, by two metal straps and screws in lead anchors. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 19 (1).

(2) On barns and other buildings where down-conductors are likely to be displaced or damaged by livestock or vehicles, the down-conductors shall be protected against displacement or damage. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 19 (2).

Fasteners

20. (1) Conductors shall be securely attached in place with fasteners suitable for the type and size of conductor and the nature of the structure. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 20 (1).

(2) Lead may be used for anchors in brickwork or masonry but wedges of wood shall not be used as anchors for fasteners. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 20 (2).

(3) Fasteners shall consist of straps and screws, screw-shank fasteners, fan-shank fasteners and drive-shank fasteners, and each fastener shall when installed, be capable of withstanding a direct pull of 100 pounds. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 20 (3).

(4) Where the use of a fastener mentioned in subsection (3) might result in damage to a roof, a cast fastener that is affixed to the roof with a suitable adhesive may be used if the fastener is capable of withstanding a direct pull of 50 pounds and is provided with a fork of substantial construction that can be closed around a cable by bending without causing cracks in the metal. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 20 (4).

(5) Strap conductors shall be securely supported in place,

(a) on wood, by means of screw-nails or drive-screws spaced at intervals of not more than six feet if installed in pairs and not more than three feet if installed singly; and

(b) on brick or other masonry, by means of expansion-screws at least one-quarter of an inch in diameter screwed into anchors and spaced at intervals as provided in clause (a). R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 20 (5).

(6) Strap fasteners shall be at least 20-gauge copper or 18-gauge aluminum and at least 0.4 inch in width and shaped to fit snugly over the conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 20 (6).

(7) Strap fasteners shall be secured in place,

(a) in wood, by two screw-nails or drive-screws at least five-eighths of an inch in length or by straight nails at least 1⅛ inches long and coated with an asphalt base, cement or other substance that provides a permanent installation; or

(b) in brick or masonry, by screws in anchors. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 20 (7).

21. (1) Shank-type fasteners shall be provided with a fork of substantial construction that can be closed by bending without causing cracks in the metal. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 21 (1).

(2) The shank of screw-fasteners shall be,

(a) in wood, equivalent to a No. 10 woodscrew 1¼ inches in length; and

(b) in brickwork or masonry, at least one-quarter of an inch in diameter and of sufficient length to provide a permanent installation. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 21 (2).

(3) The shank of fan-shank fasteners shall be approximately one-half of an inch wide at the narrowest point and at least one-tenth of an inch thick and three inches long. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 21 (3).

(4) The shank of drive-shank fasteners shall be ribbed or barbed to grip the hole when driven in or so constructed that the shank expands in the hole or anchor when driven or tamped into place. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 21 (4).

22. Except as provided in subsection 20 (5) and in section 23, fasteners are required,

(a) within six inches of all air-terminal connections to the conductor;

(b) within six inches of every interconnection of conductors;

(d) on conductors, within twelve inches of the eaves and above the eaves;

(e) at or within twelve inches of all principal turns in the conductor;

(f) at intermediate points so that no space between fasteners exceeds six feet; and

(g) independent of non-permanent attachments to or on buildings and structures. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 22.

Where Fasteners May Be Omitted

23. Fasteners are not required in such numbers and at such intervals as prescribed in section 22,

(a) where structural features make the fasteners unnecessary;

(b) where excessive damage to the building or structure would result;

(d) where corrugated tile or other roof materials form a suitable channel for the conductor,

if the conductor is supported and secured so that it will not be displaced or damaged. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 23.

Air-Terminals

24. (1) Air-terminal tubing shall consist of 20-gauge copper or copper alloy or 18-gauge aluminum. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 24 (1).

(2) Air-terminal rods of copper or copper alloy shall be seven-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, and air-terminal rods of aluminum shall be one-half of an inch in diameter. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 24 (2).

25. The minimum height of air-terminals shall be,

(a) on flag poles, masts, spires and similar objects and parts of structures, nine inches above the top of the object or part;

(b) on roof-ridges and roof-parapets of combustible materials, twelve inches above the roof-ridges and roof-parapets, and, where the roof and roof-ridge or the parapet are of non-combustible material, nine inches above them;

(c) on flat roofs, twelve inches above them, if within two feet of the edges, and eighteen inches on intermediate conductors on the roof;

(d) on or beside chimneys, ventilators or cupolas, twelve inches above the top; and

(e) on silos, twelve inches above them. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 25.

26. Air-terminals shall be installed,

(a) within twice the height of the air-terminal from each exposed gable and each corner of a flat roof, roof-deck or parapet;

(b) within twice the height of the air-terminal, not exceeding six feet in distance, from the outer corners on a flat roof on a dormer where,

(i) the junction of the dormer roof and the main roof is less than three feet vertically below the main ridge, and

(ii) the dormer roof extends more than six feet horizontally from its junction with the main roof;

(c) within twice the height of the air-terminal, not exceeding six feet in distance, from the gable of a dormer having a roof-ridge less than three feet vertically below the main ridge or extending more than six feet horizontally from the upper half of the main roof or more than eight feet horizontally from the lower half;

(d) on or within twelve inches of each non-metallic projection above the roof or parapet;

(e) on or beside chimneys so that the distance from any part of the top of the chimney to an air-terminal is not greater than twice the height of the air-terminal, but not exceeding thirty inches, above the top of the chimney;

(f) within twelve inches of a stove-pipe projecting through a roof;

(g) along roof-ridges, the edges of flat roofs and parapets at intervals not exceeding ten times the combined heights of the two adjacent air-terminals, but in no case exceeding twenty-five feet; and

(h) along intermediate conductors on flat roofs at intervals not exceeding fifty feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 26.

27. Air-terminals are not required on heavy smokestacks or other permanent metal projections but the projections shall be bonded to the conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 27.

28. (1) Air-terminal connections shall withstand a pull of fifty pounds. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 28 (1).

(2) Connections to metal roofs shall be made by means of metal plates or straps,

(a) to which the air-terminal is brazed, bolted or riveted;

(b) having not less than nine square inches in tight contact with the roof-metal; and

(3) Connections to strap conductors shall be by bolts or rivets. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 28 (3).

29. (1) Air-terminals shall be securely supported in position by braces, brackets or other appropriate devices. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 29 (1).

(2) Braces shall,

(a) be made of at least 15-gauge copper or copper alloy or 14-gauge aluminum strap, not less than 1¼ inches in width, or copper, copper alloy, aluminum or galvanized-iron rods not less than one-quarter of an inch in diameter, and have at least three legs;

(b) not exceed forty inches in height and if over eighteen inches in height have two guides for the air-terminals;

(d) be held in position on concrete roofs, brick parapets and other masonry by means of an expansion-screw in a lead or equivalent anchor in each foot. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 29 (2).

(3) Brackets shall be,

(a) made of copper, copper alloy or aluminum;

(b) designed to fit into air-terminal tubes for a distance of at least two inches; and

(c) attached to chimneys or other masonry surfaces by substantial fasteners, and to wood surfaces by at least three screws not less than 1¼ inches in length. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 29 (3).

(4) For the purpose of this section appropriate devices other than braces and brackets are,

(a) copper straps and bolts or rivets encircling the supporting object;

(b) fasteners prescribed in subsection 20 (7); or

(i) where the air-terminal is tubular, it is tightly crimped to a dowel two inches in length, or

(ii) where the air-terminal is solid, it is screwed into the footing to a depth of at least one inch. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 29 (4).

Groundings

30. Except as provided in subsection 55 (3), groundings shall consist of copper cable, copper or copper-clad steel rods not less than one-half of an inch in diameter, galvanized steel rods not less than five-eighths of an inch in diameter or copper plates. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 30.

31. (1) Groundings shall be spaced around buildings and structures so that the conductor can be coursed over the eaves to the groundings as directly as is practicable. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 31 (1).

(2) Groundings shall not be so located as to be subject to corrosion by barn-yard seepage or chemicals unless the groundings are protected by a solid lead pipe or tube from a point at least twelve inches above to a depth of three feet below the ground level, with the top end so sealed as to make it moisture-proof. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 31 (2).

(3) Groundings shall not be within six feet of any gas main, gas tank, oil tank, gasoline tank or groundings for electric equipment or electric-wiring systems, but underground water pipes may be used as a common grounding. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 31 (3).

(4) Auxiliary groundings shall be so installed as to make use of the greatest area of soil. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 31 (4).

32. (1) In addition to groundings prescribed in section 31, where an underground water pipe is available, a down-conductor shall be connected to it underground and outside any building. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 32 (1).

(2) When a grounding is installed with a drive-bar or with a soil- auger, the hole surrounding the grounding shall be filled and tamped with dry soil or soil mixed with water to the consistency of thin mud. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 32 (2).

(3) Coke, cinders or salt shall not be placed around groundings. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 32 (3).

(4) Connections of ground-rods to copper down-conductors shall be made between six inches and twelve inches below ground, and connections of ground-rods to aluminum down-conductors shall be made between six inches and twelve inches above ground. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 32 (4).

(5) Groundings connected to aluminum down-conductors shall be galvanized-steel ground-rods. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 32 (5).

(6) Connectors for groundings shall be,

(a) copper or copper alloy for copper conductor; and

(b) aluminum or galvanized iron for aluminum conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 32 (6).

33. (1) A down-conductor shall be connected to a ground-rod by a clamp or clamps secured in tight contact with at least three inches of both the down-conductor and the ground rod by bolts or set screws. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 33 (1).

(2) An interconnection of auxiliary groundings or a connection of an auxiliary grounding to a main grounding shall be made as prescribed in section 5. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 33 (2).

(3) A connection to a water-pipe shall be made by means of a clamp bolted tight around the pipe after removal of rust and scale. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 33 (3).

(4) A connection to a copper plate shall be made by rivets, bolts or solder. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 33 (4).

34. In deep soil consisting chiefly of clay, including clay loam, groundings shall be made,

(a) by extending cable or ground-rods into the ground to a vertical depth of at least ten feet;

(b) by extending cable or ground-rods down to a depth of at least six feet, and adding an auxiliary grounding; or

(c) by covering cable in a trench for a distance of at least twelve feet and at a depth of at least two feet throughout its length. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 34.

35. In deep soil consisting chiefly of sand, gravel and stones, including sandy loam, groundings shall be made,

(a) by extending cable or ground-rods into the ground to a vertical depth of at least ten feet and adding an auxiliary grounding; or

(b) by covering cable in a trench for a distance of at least twelve feet and at a depth of at least two feet throughout its length and adding an auxiliary grounding. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 35.

36. In soil consisting chiefly of clay, including clay loam, where hard-pan or bed-rock is near the surface, groundings shall be made,

(a) if the hard-pan or bed-rock is at least two feet below the surface, by covering cable in a trench for a distance of at least twelve feet;

(b) if the hard-pan or bed-rock is at least twelve inches but less than two feet below the surface, by covering cable in a trench for a distance of at least twelve feet and adding an auxiliary grounding; or

(c) if the hard-pan or bed-rock is less than twelve inches below the surface, by covering cable in a trench for a distance of at least twelve feet and adding two auxiliary groundings. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 36.

37. In soil consisting chiefly of sand, gravel and stones, including sandy loam, where hard-pan or bed-rock is near the surface, groundings shall be made,

(a) if the hard-pan or bed-rock is at least two feet below the surface, by covering cable in a trench for a distance of at least twelve feet and adding an auxiliary grounding;

(b) if the hard-pan or bed-rock is at least twelve inches but less than two feet below the surface, by covering cable in a trench for a distance of at least twelve feet and adding two auxiliary groundings; or

(c) if the hard-pan or bed-rock is less than twelve inches below the surface, by connecting all the down-conductors to a cable laid in a trench encircling the structure at a distance of at least two feet from the walls and adding two well separated auxiliary groundings to the encircling cable for each down-conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 37.

38. When quicksand is encountered, if a depth of ten feet cannot be attained, the groundings shall be made by extending them down to the quicksand and adding an auxiliary grounding. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 38.

39. An auxiliary grounding shall be,

(a) cable laid for a distance of twelve feet in a trench, or laid for a distance of at least six feet in a trench and then extended to a vertical depth of ten feet below the surface of the earth, or to a depth equal to the depth of the main grounding to which it is connected, but not less than six feet where a depth of ten feet cannot be reached, except that the vertical portion may be a ground-rod; or

(b) a copper plate not less than one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness and not less than three square feet in area on each side, embedded in a depth of twelve inches of well-packed powdered charcoal. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 39.

40. A trench, for the purpose of installing groundings and auxiliary groundings, shall be at least two feet in depth throughout its length or down to hard-pan or bed-rock. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 40.

41. Even if a certificate of installation in Form 5 has been signed by the person who installed lightning rods and by the owner or the owner’s agent, the electrical resistance of the interconnected groundings in parallel shall not exceed 50 ohms. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 41.

Interconnection and Grounding of Metallic Bodies

42. (1) Metal on the exterior of a roof shall,

(a) if vertical,

(i) on a flat roof, or

(ii) on a sloped roof and extending above the roof-ridge or the highest edge of the roof slope or more than fifteen inches above its junction with the roof,

be connected to the conductor or other grounded metal;

(b) if a water-tank, bell or other compact metallic body, be connected to the conductor, except where it has an independent grounding and is ten feet from the conductor;

(c) if linear along roof-ridges, parapets, cornices or other exposed locations, be connected to the conductor or other grounded metal; or

(d) if an extension to a chimney, be connected to the conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 42 (1).

(2) Metal roofs, including isolated metal sections, shall be grounded. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 42 (2).

43. (1) Metal on the exterior of the walls of a building or structure shall,

(a) if the metal is a rain spout, guy-wire, support of a litter-carrier track, or other vertical metal, except metal conduits provided for in subsection 11 (7), be grounded from its lower end and connected from its upper end to conductors within six feet and metal roofs within two feet; or

(b) if the metal is a door track or other horizontal metal, less than twelve feet in length, be connected to conductors within four feet, and more than twelve feet in length, be connected to conductors within six feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 43 (1).

(2) Metal siding, including isolated sections, shall be grounded. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 43 (2).

44. (1) Metal projecting through a flat roof shall be connected from its junction with the roof to the conductor or other grounded metal and, where practicable, shall be grounded from its lower end within the building. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 44 (1).

(2) Metal projecting through a sloped roof and extending above the roof-ridge or the highest edge of the roof slope or more than fifteen inches above its junction with the roof shall be connected from its junction with the roof to the conductor or other grounded metal and, where practicable, shall be grounded from its lower end. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 44 (2).

(3) Metal projecting through the upper half of a one-storey wall or if more than twelve feet above ground level through a higher wall shall be connected from the point where it emerges from the building to a conductor or other grounded metal, and where practicable, shall be grounded from its lower or farther end within the building. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 44 (3).

(4) Metal projecting through the lower half of a one-storey wall or if less than twelve feet above ground level through a higher wall, shall, where practicable, be grounded from its lower or farther end within the building, and shall,

(a) be connected from the point where it emerges from the building to the conductor or other grounded metal within six feet; or

(b) if the metal is a litter-carrier track more than six feet from a conductor, be connected to an independent grounding. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 44 (4).

45. Metal inside a structure and within six feet of a conductor shall,

(a) if shafting, stanchions, litter-carrier track or horizontal pipe, be connected to conductors within six feet, where practicable, and have an independent grounding for each 100 linear feet or part thereof;

(b) if a ventilating shaft, pipe or other vertical metal, be grounded from its lower end and, where practicable, connected at or near the top of the metal to conductors within six feet;

(c) if a hay-fork track, be connected to a conductor from each end that is less than six feet from an exposed wall of the structure, and have a connection to a conductor or an independent grounding in any case; or

(d) if a water-tank, engine or other heavy compact stationary metal body, be connected to conductors within six feet, where practicable, and have an independent grounding. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 45.

46. (1) Metal within a structure and not within six feet of or connected to a conductor shall,

(a) if a litter-carrier track, have an independent grounding for each 100 feet or part thereof;

(b) if pipes, stanchions or enclosed stalls, have an independent grounding for each pipe, stanchion or stall or for each 100 feet or part thereof of interconnected pipes, stanchions and stalls, measured along the pipes, heads of the stanchions and perimeters of the stalls;

(d) if a water-tank, engine or other stationary heavy compact metal body, have an independent grounding. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 46 (1).

(2) Where the electrical continuity of milking-machine pipes is broken by the insertion of rubber hose or other insulating material, the break in the continuity shall not be bridged. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 46 (2).

47. (1) Independent groundings for rain-spouts and for other metal bodies more than six feet from and not connected to a conductor shall be equivalent to at least 50 per cent of groundings prescribed in sections 33 to 40, and a depth of six feet shall be deemed to be one-half of the value of a depth of ten feet and the value of a conductor in a trench shall be proportional to the length of the trench. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 47 (1).

(2) Independent groundings for metal bodies connected to a conductor or less than six feet from a conductor shall be as prescribed in sections 33 to 40. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 47 (2).

Conducting Materials and Methods for Grounding Metal Bodies

48. (1) Connections of metal bodies to conductors, metal roofing or metal siding shall be made with cable or strap. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 48 (1).

(2) Interconnections of metal bodies not connected to conductors, metal roofing or metal siding, and connections of metal bodies to independent groundings shall be made with,

(a) at least one 6-gauge copper wire or one 4-gauge aluminum wire;

(b) twisted or braided wires of gauges prescribed in subsection 4 (1) and of half the weight prescribed in subsection 4 (2) for cable; or

(3) Connections to independent groundings of rain-spouts and of metal bodies that are connected to conductors, metal roofing or metal siding shall be made with cable or strap of at least 17-gauge copper or 14-gauge aluminum and the straps shall be not less than one inch in width. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 48 (3).

(4) Connectors and methods of installation used to make connections of conductors to metal objects shall be such as will ensure permanently tight contact between the conductor and the metal object. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 48 (4).

(5) Except,

(a) as provided in section 13; and

(b) for hay-fork tracks connected in an upward path where they are grounded from both ends,

conductors used to ground metal bodies specified in sections 42 to 47 shall be coursed throughout their length in a horizontal or downward path from the metal body. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 48 (5).

49. (1) Metal roofs shall be provided with air-terminals as prescribed in section 26. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (1).

(2) A conductor shall be coursed over a metal roof in the same manner as over a roof other than of metal, but coursing is not required where a metal roof is grounded by conductors attached to the eaves or to grounded metal siding if the roof and siding are in good electrical contact or the eaves and siding are interconnected in at least three places at intervals not exceeding forty feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (2).

(3) A metal-roof slope or interconnected metal-roof slopes, when grounded through conductors attached to the eaves, shall have two down-conductors if the length of the eaves or interconnected eaves exceeds thirty feet and three down-conductors if the length exceeds 100 feet. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (3).

(4) Where groundings are connected to metal siding only, they shall be installed at the main corners of the building or structure and at intervals not exceeding 100 feet measured horizontally along the metal siding. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (4).

(5) Connections of down-conductors to metal eaves or metal siding shall be made,

(a) if the down-conductors are cable, by means of metal plates,

(i) shaped to fit over and in tight contact with at least three inches of the cable,

(ii) secured in tight contact with at least nine square inches of the eaves or siding by means of six bolts, rivets or screws, and

(iii) with the ends of the wires turned back over the edge of the metal plate; or

(b) if the down conductors are strap, by securing at least nine square inches of the strap in tight contact with the eaves or siding by means of four bolts, rivets or screws. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (5).

(6) Connections of conductors, other than down-conductors, to metal roofs and metal siding shall be made,

(a) if the conductor is cable, by means of metal plates,

(i) shaped to fit over and in tight contact with at least two inches of the cable,

(ii) secured in tight contact with at least six square inches of the eaves or siding by means of four bolts, rivets or screws, and

(iii) with the ends of the wires turned back over the edge of the metal plate; or

(b) if the conductor is strap, by securing at least six square inches of the strap in tight contact with the eaves or siding by means of three bolts, rivets or screws. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (6).

(7) Where,

(a) a copper conductor is coursed over an aluminum roof or siding;

(b) an aluminum conductor is coursed over a copper roof or siding;

(d) an aluminum air-terminal support is attached to a copper roof,

the copper and aluminum shall be separated under all fasteners and air-terminal supports by sheet lead of at least one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness or by galvanized iron of at least 28-gauge. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (7).

(8) Where,

(a) a copper air-terminal is attached to an aluminum roof;

(b) an aluminum air-terminal is attached to a copper roof;

(d) a system is grounded by attaching aluminum conductors to a copper roof at the eaves or siding,

the copper and aluminum shall be separated by galvanized iron of at least 28-gauge. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 49 (8).

50. (1) Independent metal trusses or other units of framework of a building or structure shall be grounded from the lower end and be connected from the upper end to conductors, metal roof or metal siding if within six feet thereof. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 50 (1).

(2) Steel-frame or skeleton-steel buildings and structures may be equipped with air-terminals connected to the grounded steel frame. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 50 (2).

51. (1) Metal bodies in, on or projecting from metal-roofed and metal-clad buildings and structures shall be connected, interconnected and grounded as prescribed in sections 42 to 47, but connections may be made to the metal roof or metal siding instead of to conductors. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 51 (1).

(2) All parts of metal roofs and metal siding shall be bonded and grounded, but if more than six feet apart may be grounded indepen-dently. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 51 (2).

Miscellaneous Structures

52. Flag poles, radio masts, television masts, towers, spires and smoke-stacks may be equipped with a system independent of the structure of which they are a part or on which they are erected but, if the structure is equipped with a system, the systems shall be interconnected. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 52.

53. (1) Where a silo,

(a) is within four feet of a building and extends above the adjacent roof-line; or

(b) is within eight feet of a building, and has a wall or roof of combustible construction in whole or in part, and extends above the adjacent roof-line,

the silo shall be part of the building for the purposes of the Act. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 53 (1).

(2) Air-terminals shall be installed on silos as follows:

1. On conical or pointed roofs, one air-terminal.

2. On ridge-roofs and roofs with dormers, as prescribed in section 26.

3. On open silos, two or more air-terminals spaced not more than twenty-five feet apart, measured around the outside of the wall, and interconnected by cable or strap. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 53 (2).

(3) Conductors on silos may have separate groundings or be connected to a conductor on an adjacent building or structure, or both, and if a silo has an outside diameter of more than fourteen feet or extends more than four feet above the nearest point of the adjacent roof-line, it shall have at least two groundings. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 53 (3).

54. An annex is a part of the building or structure for purposes of the Act, except where,

(a) it is not more than eight feet in height, including chimneys, vents and other projections, that are outside a cone of protection;

(b) its height plus the distance it extends from the main building or structure is not greater than the height of the adjoining wall of the main building or structure; or

55. (1) Fence wires, metal clothes-lines, metal guy-wires and similar wires shall be disconnected or electrically insulated from a building or structure or shall be grounded. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 55 (1).

(2) Where a wire is connected to a conductor on a building or structure, it shall also have an independent grounding at the end remote from the building or structure. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 55 (2).

(3) Independent groundings for wires shall be at least 10-gauge copper wire extended to a depth of six feet or laid in six feet of trench, or its equivalent. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 55 (3).

(4) Connections of wires to conductors or groundings shall be made with at least 10-gauge copper wire or 8-gauge aluminum wire, or their equivalent. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 55 (4).

56. (1) The seal mentioned in subsection 12 (2) of the Act shall be a metal disc having a looped copper wire running through it, which shall be attached to each down-conductor. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 56 (1).

(2) One side of the seal shall bear the name “Fire Marshal of Ontario” and the number of the Inspector and the year of the inspection, and the other side shall bear the words:

“This installation is at the time of inspection in conformity with the Lightning Rods Act and the regulations”.

R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 56 (2).

Applications and Licences

57. An application for a licence to offer for sale, sell and install lightning rods shall be in Form 1. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 57.

58. A licence to offer for sale, sell and install lightning rods shall be in Form 2. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 58.

59. An application for a licence to act as an agent to offer for sale, sell and install lightning rods shall be in Form 3. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 59.

60. A licence to act as agent to offer for sale, sell and install lightning rods shall be in Form 4. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 60.

Certificate of Installation

61. A certificate of installation as required by section 10 of the Act shall be in Form 5. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 61.

Report of Inspector

62. The report of the Inspector mentioned in subsection 12 (1) of the Act shall be in Form 6. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 712, s. 62.

FORM 1
APPLICATION FOR LICENCE

Lightning Rods Act