Lightning protection risk assessment is the first and most important stage of lightning protection design and is recommended in BS EN 62305. Risk assessment can often show that a lightning protection system is not required, or that surge protection measures are more appropriate. The results are highly dependent on the input data used so a thorough understanding of the building’s structure, incoming lines, occupancy, use and contents are vital. As an independent consultant that does not provide install services, our risk assessments will always provide the correct technical advice and aim to minimise the cost to our client of any lightning protection measures shown to be necessary. Communication with the Client, combined with examination of drawings or a site inspection, is fundamental to achieving this. Where lightning protection measures are shown to be necessary to reduce risk, the specification required is determined through additional risk calculations and the results fed into the lightning protection or surge protection measure design stage.