Every lightning protection system—whether it equips an industrial building in Europe, a mining site in Africa, or critical infrastructure in Latin America—is subject to a periodic inspection requirement. The General Periodic Verification (GPV) of the lightning protection system is the mechanism that ensures this protection remains effective over time.
The international standard IEC 62305-3 (and its equivalent NF EN 62305-3) mandates regular inspections for all lightning protection systems (LPS). It applies in all countries that have adopted IEC standards—representing the vast majority of global markets.
This article outlines the obligations, rodholders, control points, and best practices for organizing the monitoring and traceability of your VGPs.
What is the VGP of a lightning protection installation?
International definition and regulatory basis
The Periodic General Verification is a comprehensive inspection of a lightning protection system, carried out by a qualified professional at regular intervals. Its purpose is to ensure that the system maintains its protection performance at the level for which it was designed.
The IEC 62305-3 distinguishes between two types of verification:
- Periodic inspection — carried out at fixed intervals defined according to the level of protection (LPL I to IV) and the nature of the site
- Exceptional inspection — triggered after a lightning event detected on or near the installation, or after structural modifications
In countries applying IEC 62305, the VGP (General Periodic Inspection) is a contractual and regulatory obligation. For establishments subject to audit or declaration (ICPE, classified sites, high-rise buildings, public access buildings), the absence of a VGP constitutes a documented non-compliance.
Labor Code and Employer Obligations
In many countries, labor laws require employers to maintain all safety equipment—including lightning protection systems—in compliance. Lightning rod safety inspections (VGP) are part of this system of protecting workers and property.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in civil and criminal liability for the site manager in the event of a lightning-related incident.
Who is affected by the VGP lightning rod?
The VGP applies to any structure equipped with a lightning protection system (LPS). Specifically, this concerns:
- Industrial sites and classified facilities for environmental protection (ICPE) — factories, warehouses, ATEX sites, refineries
- Critical infrastructure — power plants, telecom towers, electricity pylons
- Publicly accessible establishments (ERP) — hospitals, schools, shopping centers
- Agricultural and rural sites — silos, livestock buildings, isolated farms
- Multi-family residential buildings — high-rise buildings (IGH), residences
- Heritage sites and monuments — castles, religious buildings, museums
The VGP concerns both new installations and existing installations that have undergone modifications (building heightening, addition of roof equipment, replacement of the lightning rod).
What is checked during a VGP?
The VGP covers the entire lightning protection system, from the lightning arrester head to the grounding points. Here are the main inspection points according to IEC 62305-3:
Lightning arresting device (lightning rod)
- Visual condition of the lightning rod (corrosion, deformation, drying out for ESEs)
- Mechanical fixing to its support or mast
- Verification of the model's conformity with the initial study
- For EMFs (early-wave lightning rods) : functional test of the early-wave induction mechanism
Grounding conductors
- Electrical continuity between the inlet and the grounding point
- Condition of the conductors (corrosion, breakage, insufficient cross-section)
- Conformity of fixings and layout
- Verification of the presence and condition of the spark gaps
Grounding points
- Earth resistance measurement (values according to IEC 62305-3)
- Visual state of the visitor's gaze and connections
- Checking Equipotential Spark Gap
Surge arresters (SPD)
- Condition of surge protector cartridges (replacement if necessary)
- Verification of the conformity of protection levels according to IEC 62305-4
How often should the VGP be performed?
The IEC 62305-3 standard defines maximum inspection intervals based on the lightning protection level (LPL) :
- LPL I and II (maximum protection, very high-risk sites) — annual
- LPL III and IV (standard protection) — inspection every 2 years
- After each detected impact — immediate exceptional inspection, mandatory for LPL I and II
- Following structural modifications to the building or replacement of a component — compliance inspection
Sector-specific regulations may impose stricter frequencies. This is particularly the case for ATEX installations (explosive zones), nuclear sites, or certain healthcare facilities.
It is recommended not to wait until the regulatory deadline to schedule the VGP. Planning 1 to 2 months in advance allows for technician availability and site access arrangements.
Traceability and monitoring of VGPs — the role of the LPS Manager
A properly conducted VGP (General Periodic Inspection) must be documented and tracked. Without a history of inspections, it is impossible to demonstrate regulatory compliance in the event of an audit, claim, or dispute.
Traceability must include:
- Date and time of inspection
- Technician's identity and qualifications
- Checked points and results (compliant / non-compliant / reserved)
- Photographs of the inspected items
- Recommended corrective actions and intervention deadlines
- Signature and validation of the report
LPS Manager is a SaaS software specifically designed for managing and monitoring lightning protection systems. It allows you to:
- Create and structure the files by site, building and installation
- Schedule vehicle inspections with automatic reminder alerts
- Capture and archive inspection reports (text + photos)
- Calculate the compliance score of each installation
- Generate PDF reports to share with the client or owner
- Access tracking data from the field (iOS/Android mobile app)
For professionals managing multiple sites simultaneously, LPS Manager offers a multi-site overview with a centralized dashboard, allowing them to identify at a glance the installations whose VGP is imminent or past its due date.
What to do after a general inspection — non-conformities and corrective actions
Following a VGP, three results are possible:
- Compliant — the installation meets all requirements. The report is archived and the next VGP is scheduled.
- Reserved — minor anomalies have been observed. Corrective action is recommended within a defined timeframe.
- Non-compliant — major defects compromise protection. Urgent action is required before the installation can be certified.
In the event of non-compliance, corrective actions must be documented and concluded with a new partial or complete inspection. LPS France offers a comprehensive range of lightning rods and lightning protection accessories to replace or upgrade faulty components.
Conclusion
The VGP lightning rod inspection is much more than an administrative formality. It is a lightning risk management tool, mandated by the international standard IEC 62305-3 and fundamental to maintaining the long-term effectiveness of a protection system.
For lightning protection professionals, structuring the monitoring of VGPs — with the right digital tools — is a differentiating factor when dealing with clients who demand documented proof of compliance.
👉 Manage and plan your VGP with LPS Manager — the lightning protection installation management software used by professionals in more than 30 countries.
