ATLAS Stays one step ahead!

ATLAS - Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists has demonstrated once again why it is the leading organisation in the Specialist Access and Lightning Protection Industry with the launch of the first BSEN 62305 lightning protection training workshops.
The arrival of the new British Standard for Lightning Protection, which as taken over 20 years and literally 100’s of lightning protection experts from 28 different countries to rite has dominated the media in recent months. The sheer size of the new document five times the size of its predecessor, where the most significant changes are to the approach and amplification of risk assessment, has sent many experts reeling.
 ATLAS is determined to lead by example and has established the first set of BSEN 62305 Introductory workshops in the UK. These are exclusive to ATLAS members and are designed to make the transition to the new standard as easy as possible.John Sherlock, Chairman of the ATLAS Lightning Conductor Technical Committee has been representing the UK at IEC and CENELEC level. He is also a member of the BSI Technical Committee that has produced the new BSEN 62305.
"While this new, true European Standard is an amazing achievement for international cooperation and technical convergence, ATLAS has some justifiable concerns on the one hand, for the first time ever, we have the foundation for a globally accepted lightning protection standard that meets today’s needs. On the other, we must ensure that this culmination of such a vast amount of hard work carred out by technical bodies throughout the world over a 25 year period does not fall by the wayside because it cannot be understood by the actual installer. We all recognise how vitally important it is that everyone gets to grips with the practical changes as quickly as possible.”
John Sherlock - Chairman ATLAS Lightning - Conductor Technical Committee
ATLAS ADVANTAGE
From August 2008 all clients, major contractors and employers will require proof of BSEN 62305 accreditation from its subcontractors. ATLAS is preparing its members now to ensure they maintain their competitive advantage. Consequently, ATLAS expect a record umber of e membership applications as companies quickly realise that only by becoming an ATLAS member can they ain
access to this invaluable training.
“This is a unique opportunity for companies in a homogeneous market to cement their professionalism and differentiate themselves from competitions both at home and abroad. The ATLAS BSEN 62305 workshops and subsequent accreditation will become the industry benchmark by which professionals will be judged!”
Robert Bird -  ATLAS President
HOW DOES BSEN 62305 WORK?
The biggest challenge ATLAS face is how to communicate effectively the most significant difference between the new standard and the old: namely the practical application of the e risk assessment. The old standard devoted about 6 pages to ascertaining whether lightning protection was required to protect a structure. The new part 2 of BSEN 62305 has over 100 pages and takes into account not only the structure but also the services (telecom and power etc.) that supply it. Service entrance lightning current Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) now form an integral part of the recommended structural lightning protection and many more weighting factors must now be taken into account.
The ATLAS Workshop focuses on Risk Management, where the most changes have occurred. It
provides a practical balance between theory and on site application, using scenarios operatives are
likely to face on a daily basis. This training takes the form of a concentrated but manageable one day
workshop, based on the highly successful pilot run by the ATLAS Lightning Protection Sub Committee last November. Once members have covered parts 1 and 2 of the new standard, additional workshops will be made available to cover parts 3 and 4. A full accreditation test will the be made exclusively available to all ATLAS members to give them that all important competitive edge!
 “It is absolutely essential for everyone in our Industry to attend this vital course to understand the fundamental principles of the new risk management under BSEN 62305.”
Mike Hensha - ATLAS Workshop Co-ordinator
The knowledge gap this new training fills is so important that the next two years could mean the
difference between staying in and going out of business. There is clearly a real opportunity for
installers to become the absolute specialists in this subject and so make themselves invaluable to
consultants and their clients alike. More info at www.atlas-1.org.uk

Email: info@atlas-1.org.uk