Readings: The “30-30” Rule for Outdoor Athletic Events Lightning Hazard

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Readings: The “30-30” Rule for Outdoor Athletic Events Lightning Hazard

September 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Thunderstorm | Shelter (Building: 30/30 Rule)

The standards for delaying outdoor sports due to lightning are typically set by governing bodies such as sports leagues, associations, or organizations, as well as local weather authorities. These standards may vary depending on the specific sport, location, and level of play. However, some common guidelines for delaying outdoor sports due to lightning include:

  1. Lightning Detection Systems: Many sports facilities are equipped with lightning detection systems that can track lightning activity in the area. These systems use sensors to detect lightning strikes and provide real-time information on the proximity and severity of the lightning threat. When lightning is detected within a certain radius of the sports facility, it can trigger a delay or suspension of outdoor sports activities.
  2. Lightning Distance and Time Rules: A common rule of thumb used in outdoor sports is the “30-30” rule, which states that if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is less than 30 seconds, outdoor activities should be suspended, and participants should seek shelter. The idea is that lightning can strike even when it is not raining, and thunder can indicate the proximity of lightning. Once the thunder is heard within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, the delay or suspension should be implemented.
  3. Local Weather Authority Guidelines: Local weather authorities, such as the National Weather Service in the United States, may issue severe weather warnings that include lightning information. Sports organizations may follow these guidelines and suspend outdoor sports activities when severe weather warnings, including lightning, are issued for the area.
  4. Sports-Specific Guidelines: Some sports may have specific guidelines for lightning delays or suspensions. For example, golf often follows a “Play Suspended” policy, where play is halted immediately when a siren or horn is sounded, and players are required to leave the course and seek shelter. Other sports may have specific rules regarding how long a delay should last, how players should be informed, and when play can resume.

It’s important to note that safety should always be the top priority when it comes to lightning and outdoor sports. Following established guidelines and seeking shelter when lightning is detected or severe weather warnings are issued can help protect participants from the dangers of lightning strikes.

Noteworthy: NFPA titles such as NFPA 780 and NFPA 70 Article 242 deal largely with wiring safety, informed by assuring a low-resistance path to earth (ground)

There are various lightning detection and monitoring devices available on the market that can help you stay safe during thunderstorms. Some of these devices can track the distance of lightning strikes and alert you when lightning is detected within a certain radius of your location. Some devices can also provide real-time updates on lightning strikes in your area, allowing you to make informed decisions about when to seek shelter.

Examples of such devices include personal lightning detectors, lightning alert systems, and weather stations that have lightning detection capabilities. It is important to note that these devices should not be solely relied upon for lightning safety and should be used in conjunction with other safety measures, such as seeking shelter indoors and avoiding open areas during thunderstorms.

Flagpoles

September 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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The National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers (NAAMM) provides consensus products for specifications, procedures, and terminology for metal bar grating, expanded metal, hollow metal doors and frames, metal flagpoles, metal stairs and railings, and metal lathing and furring.   As an ANSI accredited standards developer it provides public commenting opportunities on its consensus products; linked below:

NAAMM Standards Home Page

We encourage our colleagues to communicate directly with the standards staff at NAAAM: Vernon (Wes) Lewis, 123 College Place #1101, Norfolk, VA 23510, (757) 489-0787, wlewis7@cox.net.  At the moment we find no public commenting opportunities but on selected holidays we revisit its flagpole standard.  Keep in mind that this document has a scope that is limited to the product and its appropriate application and maintenance only:

NAAMM Flagpole Specification

The University of Michigan Central Campus flagpole was re-located from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition


LEARN MORE:

The Atlantic: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Flag Pole Design

Flags

Marina & Boatyard Electrical Safety

September 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Rowing at the 2024 Summer Olympics

“The Biglin Brothers Racing| Thomas Eakins (1872)

Rowing competition in the 2024 Olympics inspires a  revisit of NFPA 303: Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards.  Apart from athletic competition, many colleges, universities and trade schools with academic programs are responsible for safety of facilities located on fresh and saltwater shorelines.  Other nations refer to best practice discovered and applied in the United States.   Keep in mind that, unlike other nations, the standard of care for electrical safety in the United States is driven primarily by the fire safety community.   This happens because public safety leadership falls upon the local Fire Marshall who has a budget that is widely understand and generally supported.

From the NFPA 303 scope statement:

 This standard applies to the construction and operation of marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs, boat condominiums, docking facilities associated with residential condominiums, multiple-docking facilities at multiple-family residences, and all associated piers, docks, and floats.

This standard also applies to support facilities and structures used for construction, repair, storage, hauling and launching, or fueling of vessels if fire on a pier would pose an immediate threat to these facilities, or if a fire at a referenced facility would pose an immediate threat to a docking facility.

This standard applies to marinas and facilities servicing small recreational and commercial craft, yachts, and other craft of not more than 300 gross tons.

This standard is not intended to apply to a private, noncommercial docking facility constructed or occupied for the use of the owners or residents of the associated single-family dwelling.

No requirement in this standard is to be construed as reducing applicable building, fire, and electrical codes.

The standard of care for facilities owned by educational institutions is not appreciably different from the standard of care for any other Owner except some consideration should be given to the age and training of most of the occupants — students, of course — who are a generally transient population.  Some research projects undertaken on university-owned facilities are also subject to the local adaptions of NFPA 303.  The current version of NFPA 303 is linked below:

FREE ACCESS: NFPA 303

 

Boathouse Row / Philadelphia

The 2021 Edition is the current edition and the next edition will be the 2025 revision.  Click on the link below to read what new ideas were running through the current edition; mostly electrical that are intended to correlate with National Electrical Code Article 555 and recent electrical safety research*:

Landing Page for the 2028 Edition

NFPA 303 Public Input Report for the 2021 Edition

Public input closing date for the 2025 Edition is June 1, 2023.   

You may submit comment directly to NFPA on this and/or any other NFPA consensus product by CLICKING HERE.  You will need to set up a (free) account.   NFPA 303 document is also on the standing agenda of our 4 times monthly collaboration with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee.  See our CALENDAR for the next online colloquium; open to everyone.

Michigan Technological University

Issue: [16-133]

Category: Electrical, #SmartCampus, Facility Asset Management

Colleagues: Mike Anthony,  Jim Harvey


LEARN MORE:

* Marina Risk Reduction

NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (Article 555)

Examining the Risk of Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) As a Function of Water Conductivity

Colloquy (August)

August 29, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Open agenda; Not Too Organized. Whatever anyone wants to talk about.  We do this once every month.  Yesterday’s “Student Accommodation” syllabus slid out of view for part of the day so it is reposted today.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Normal Academic Year Hours at our State Street Office: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Join us for lunch 11:45 AM – 1:15 PM every Third Wednesday of the month

University of Michigan Golf Course Dining Facility

 



Retrodiction

Education & Healthcare Facility Electrotechnology Committee

 

 

Why You Need Standards

August 29, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Department of Justice Antitrust Case Filings

When we talk about standards in our personal lives, we might think about the quality we expect in things such as restaurants and first dates. But the standards that exist in science and technology have an even greater impact on our lives. Technical standards keep us safe, enable technology to advance, and help businesses succeed. They quietly make the modern world tick and prevent technological problems that you might not realize could even happen…”

Technical Requirements for Weighing & Measuring Devices

Compulsory Attendance

August 29, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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“The family is nature’s masterpiece”
– George Santayana

Black River Public School | Kent County Michigan

THE REVISED SCHOOL CODE

Michigan’s compulsory school attendance laws, outlined in the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1561), mandate that children aged 6 to 18 attend school regularly, ensuring access to education and promoting academic success. The law requires attendance in a public school, charter school, private school, or approved homeschool program until the child graduates high school or reaches 18. For children aged 6 to 16, attendance is strictly compulsory, with exceptions for those completing high school early. After age 16, students may withdraw with parental consent, but alternative education options are encouraged.

Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring compliance, and non-attendance may result in truancy proceedings, including fines or court intervention. Schools must monitor attendance, report truancy, and provide support to address barriers like transportation or health issues. Exemptions exist for religious beliefs or specific disabilities, provided educational alternatives meet state standards. Local districts may enforce additional policies to support consistent attendance.

COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICIES AND GRADES

Eaton Rapids Public Schools | Eaton County Michigan

Supermodel Kate Upton & Friends | Holland Township Michigan

Tudor Dixon | Muskegon County Michigan

Family Housing: Cache County

August 28, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Standards Utah

Chris Williamson

Involuntary Childlessness: Academia and Collapsing Birth Rates

“The only true measure of wealth is children” | Tucker Carlson

…”Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams…”
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