In countries that apply international lightning protection standards, the maintenance of installed systems is as important as their design. The Periodic General Inspection (PGI) of lightning rods is precisely the mechanism that guarantees the long-term effectiveness of an installation. But when is it mandatory? How often should it be carried out? And what happens if it is not performed?
This article reviews the legal obligations, applicable frequency depending on the type of establishment, and best practices for maintaining compliance. Furthermore, we will see how digital tools like LPS Manager can effectively manage the documentation for general medical examinations (VGP).
What is the VGP of a lightning rod?
The General Periodic Verification (VGP) is a regulatory check carried out by an authorized body or technician, intended to verify that the lightning protection installation still meets the normative and regulatory requirements.
Indeed, a lightning rod—whether it's an EFT (Early Flight Device), a simple rod lightning rod, or a Faraday cage—is subject to weather conditions, vibrations, and aging. Thus, without periodic inspection, an installation can gradually lose its effectiveness without this being visible to the naked eye.
The VGP typically includes:
- A visual inspection of the entire system (lightning rod head, down conductors, grounding connections, fixings)
- Electrical measurements ( earth resistance, conductor continuity)
- A verification of regulatory compliance with the initial technical file
- A written report recording observations and any defects
When is the VGP mandatory?
Establishments subject to regulatory obligations
Firstly, certain categories of establishments are subject to a legal obligation to perform a general periodic inspection (VGP) of their lightning rods. These include:
- Public Access Buildings (ERP) : annual verification of lightning protection systems is required by fire regulations.
- High-rise buildings (IGH) : five-yearly inspection as part of regulatory technical controls
- ICPE (Classified Installations for Environmental Protection) : the decree of January 28, 2008 mandates annual verification and reinforced controls for at-risk sites
- ATEX sites (explosive atmospheres) : checks are reinforced due to the risk of explosion associated with a lightning strike.
Therefore, any operator of such an establishment — in Europe as well as internationally in countries applying equivalent standards — has the obligation to be able to justify the proper completion of the VGP.
Sites without specific regulatory obligations
For other sites (general industry, services, logistics), the IEC 62305-3 nevertheless recommends periodic inspections. However, these recommendations are not legally binding unless stipulated in an insurance policy or maintenance contract.
However, in the event of a claim, the absence of documented verification can have serious consequences for coverage by the insurer. This is why a general vehicle inspection (VGP) is, in practice, essential in all cases.
How often should the VGP be performed?
The annual periodicity
For buildings (ERP), classified installations for environmental protection (ICPE), and ATEX sites, an annual inspection is required. This includes, at a minimum, a complete visual inspection of the installation. In addition, for sites with the highest exposure (high lightning strike density, corrosive environment), semi-annual inspections may be recommended.
The triennial audit
Furthermore, the IEC 62305-3 standard recommends a complete verification every 3 years (triennial), incorporating in-depth electrical measurements: earth resistance, conductor impedance, and Equipotential Spark Gap tests. This verification makes it possible to detect faults invisible to visual inspection.
In practice, some countries and some sectoral regulations (petrochemicals, data centers, telecom) impose a three-year periodicity for complete controls.
The five-year periodicity
Furthermore, for high-rise buildings, a five-yearly inspection (every 5 years) is required as part of the overall regulatory technical inspections of the building. However, this does not exempt the building from carrying out additional annual visual inspections.
Post-impact verification
Finally—and this is often overlooked—a mandatory inspection must be carried out within 48 hours of a lightning strike detected on or near the installation. Indeed, a lightning strike can subtly damage down conductors, grounding connections, or measuring equipment without any visible visible damage.
What should a compliant VGP cover?
Visual inspection
First, the inspector checks the general condition of all components:
- Lightning rod head (ESE): mechanical condition, absence of corrosion, attachment to the mast
- Downhill driving guides: continuity, no breaks, adherence to the route
- Junctions and connectors: no oxidation, bolts tight
- Grounding: no visible damage, position of inspection chambers
Electrical measurements
Next, instrumented measurements complement the visual inspection:
- Earth resistance : must be less than 10 Ω (ideally < 1 Ω for sensitive sites)
- Electrical continuity of down conductors from end to end
- Equipotentiality between the different masses of the installation
The documentary update
Ultimately, every VGP (General Periodic Inspection) must result in a written report, dated and signed by the inspecting body. This report must be kept in the installation's technical file and presented in the event of a regulatory inspection or an incident.
Consequences of a VGP failure
Neglecting VGP (General Periodic Inspections) exposes the operator to several concrete risks:
- Civil and criminal liability in the event of a lightning-related accident on the site
- Refusal of coverage by the insurer in the event of a claim (fire, destruction of equipment)
- Formal notice issued during an inspection by the labor inspectorate or a control body
- administrative closure for public establishments and classified installations for environmental protection in the event of serious breaches
Therefore, in practice, the VGP must be treated as a management act in its own right, planned in advance and rigorously documented.
Simplify VGP tracking with LPS Manager
Managing general inspections (VGP) represents a significant paperwork burden for multi-site operators or inspection bodies. This involves tracking deadlines for each installation, maintaining reports, managing follow-ups, and preparing for audits.
This is precisely what LPS Manager : a platform dedicated to managing lightning protection files, which allows you to:
- Plan and monitor VGP deadlines per installation (annual, triennial, quinquennial, post-impact)
- Store and archive audit reports in a structured digital file
- Receive automatic alerts before due dates
- Generate compliance reports ready for regulatory audits
- Access keraunic data and lightning strike certificates via Strike Radar to enrich the case file
Thus, LPS Manager transforms VGP management into a smooth, traceable and auditable process — whether you manage 1 or 500 installations.
Conclusion
In summary, the general periodic inspection (VGP) of lightning rods is a legal requirement for public access buildings (ERP), classified installations for environmental protection (ICPE), high-rise buildings (IGH), and ATEX sites, with intervals varying according to the type of establishment: annual, triennial, or quinquennial. Therefore, all operators must schedule these inspections, have them carried out by an accredited body, and retain the reports.
For lightning protection installations compliant with IEC 62305 and NF C 17-102 standards, LPS France assists you with the design, installation, and monitoring of your systems. Contact our team of experts for personalized support.
And to manage your VGP files effectively over time, discover LPS Manager, the reference software for lightning protection professionals.
