ᐅ Experiences with Lightning Protection for External Stainless Steel Chimneys

A friendly hello to everyone,

For our custom-designed single-family house, soon to be built using timber frame construction and without a planned lightning protection system, the question has arisen whether an external stainless steel chimney needs to be grounded.
The specialist company installing the chimney said they have not done this anywhere for many years, while the electrician and the foundation contractor have a different opinion.
Since the chimney outlet is the highest point of the building, the likelihood of a lightning strike there is the greatest. Could it therefore make sense to ground it, even if the house does not have any other lightning protection system?

Thank you very much for your opinions,
Good luck

To my knowledge, the chimney must be included in the equipotential bonding according to VDE standards. However, I can't tell you exactly where this is specified. I had this discussion a few years ago with a chimney expert and an electrician, and they showed me the relevant sections.

I did a quick search. Maybe this from 2018 will help you – it is a publication by the BDH and VDE.