Do all areas and facilities storing or handling ammunition require a lightning protection system (LPS)?

• A. Not required for indoor storage
• B. Only some areas
• C. Yes
• D. No

Answer: (C)

Lightning protection for ammunition areas is necessary across every part of the storage and handling site. A lightning protection system helps divert the energy from a direct strike and suppress electrical surges, which can otherwise cause heat, sparks, or arcing that might ignite propellants or primers. Because the consequences of a ignition can be catastrophic, safety standards require protection for all buildings and spaces where ammunition is stored or handled—indoor and outdoor, magazines, workshops, and control areas alike. Leaving any area unprotected creates a potential ignition source that could affect the entire facility. That’s why the best answer is that all areas require a lightning protection system.