(Material extracted from NFPA News November/December 1999 issue)
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Early Streamer Emission
(ESE) Lightning Protection Technology
Report Available

Standards Council to Hold Hearing in April 2000

     In a decision dated October 8, 1998, the Standards Council voted to reopen the proceedings for consideration of the issuance of a standard for early streamer emission (ESE) lightning protection systems. (For a history of the council’s proceedings concerning a proposed standard for ESE lightning protection systems, see the October 8 Decision, Decision No. 98-40, and other documentation referenced in that decision.) In connection with the council’s decision, the council authorized the creation of an independent Panel to consider information submitted by any interested persons and to issue a report concerning ESE lightning protection technology to the Standards Council. The Panel was charged with addressing the following issues, and any other issues it deemed relevant: (1) whether the ESE lightning protection technology is scientifically and technically sound; and (2) whether the ESE lightning protection technology is supported by adequate scientific theoretical basis and laboratory testing. The Panel, chaired by Dr. John L. Bryan, Ed.D., with the participation of Richard Biermann and Glenn Erickson, has now submitted its Report of the Panel on Early Streamer Emission (ESE) Lightning Protection Technology (the Panel report). 

     The Standards Council has voted to make the Panel report, and any materials submitted to the Panel in connection with the report, available for public review. Please contact NFPA Standards Administration, NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101 to obtain a copy of the Panel report or to make arrangements for reviewing or copying materials submitted to the Panel in connection with the report. The council will hold a hearing at its April 27, 2000, meeting in New York City to reopen the proceedings for consideration of the issuance of a standard for ESE lightning protection systems in accordance with its decision of October 8, 1998. In doing so, the council will consider the Panel report and any proposed action related to the report. Comments or appeals requesting Standards Council action related to the consideration of the issuance of a standard for ESE lightning protection systems or to any other matter related to the Panel report should be submitted no later than March 1, 2000.