A Practical Treatise on Lightning Conductors

A Practical Treatise on Lightning Conductors. By Henry W. Spang. Philadelphia: J. Fagan & Son.

This pamphlet, which is illustrated with the necessary wood-cuts, explains the defects of lightning conductors as now in use, and shows how metal roofs, or sheet metal bands beneath wooden or slate roofs, in connection with the ordinary rain pipes, will prevent buildings from being destroyed or damaged by lightning. It is an addition to a little volume published about a year ago, with the view of introducing the writers improved system. His ideas in regard to the subject are sound, which is more than can be said of other writers of little books on lightning rods, especially those who make the erection of the latter a business. He attaches proper importance to the perfect ground connection, and is free from the foolish prejudice that the rods must be isolated from the building by glass rings, and other nonsensical precautions. We have only one objection to offer, which is that he trusts too much to the rain pipes; these are often in a bad condition corroded, and even disconnected. We agree with his whole system of rods on the chimneys, strips of metal under the roof, etc., but we should prefer to have an additional connection with the ground, besides the rain pipes a connection not so subject to damage as the latter, because in case these become damaged and inadequate as conductors, when lightning strikes without rain, all the rest become a source of danger instead of protection. This book should be in the hands of all lightning rod men; they can learn something by reading it.