What Is EMP? Will A Metal Building Protect From EMP?

There are several advantages to constructing a metal building.

They are durable, flexible, environmentally friendly, they construct quickly, and they're cost efficient.

But there's one benefit that almost no one thinks about.

A metal building can also protect you from a certain type of terrorist attack, or even an attack from the sun.

I'm talking about EMPs, or Electromagnetic Pulses.

In the article below, we will learn about EMPs, and find out if your metal building can protect you from one.

Table Of Contents

• What Is An EMP?
• What Else Can An EMP Damage?
• What's The Difference Between A Solar And Nuclear EMP?
• Is My Metal Building Protected From EMPs?
• The Benefits of Metal Buildings Are Limitless

What Is An EMP?

An EMP is a wave of electromagnetic radiation.

An EMP can't hurt you directly, but it interacts with power lines, metal, conductive materials, and electronics and causes power spikes.

In large scale events, an EMP can cause electronic systems failures. It can knock out power and kill electronic equipment.

An EMP can be caused by several things, but the two most likely EMP threats are a nuclear explosion or a solar flare.

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What Else Can An EMP Damage?

Depending on the power of the explosion or the solar flare, and EMP can damage several things.

Some examples are:

• Telephones and mobile phones
• Vehicle and aircraft control systems
• Computers and all internet connected devices
• TVs, radios and other broadcast equipment
• Power grid transformers and substations
• Refrigerators
• Generators
• Satellites within the range of the EMP

Anything powered by electricity could be damaged by an EMP. The damage will vary with the size of the EMP and how close you are to the center of its energy.

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What's The Difference Between A Solar and Nuclear EMP?

Nuclear EMPs are more energetic and have shorter bursts.

A solar flare EMP is also referred to as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) or a geomagnetic storm.

Solar flares will vary widely in intensity, from bright northern lights to potentially destroying some or all of the power grid with smaller EMPs causing blackouts.

Solar flares can last much longer than nuclear EMPs.

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Is My Metal Building Protected From EMPs?

An enclosed metal structure is ideal protection against an EMP attack, whether it's nuclear or solar.

You just have to be sure there aren't any leaks in the structure.

Even a structure that is 95% enclosed will still allow EMP radiation to get in, as long as the opening is larger than the wavelength of the radiation.

Ideally, your metal building will be enclosed on all six sides, including the floor.

This tends to be the Achilles heel to stand-alone metal sheds that sit on the ground with no conductive material underneath to complete the closed circuit.

EMP radiation that is strong enough will conduct through the top surfaces of the ground and can find its way in through the floor.

You can ground your floor with poured concrete and rebar that is well ground, and that could give you the protection you need.

If there are electronic items in your metal building that you are trying to protect, be sure that none of them are in contact with the metal enclosure of your building.

Even items on the floor have to be electrically insulated from it somehow.

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The Benefits Of Metal Buildings Are Limitless

Now you can add protection from EMPs to the long list of benefits that come with metal buildings.

Whether you just want to be sure your valued electronics are protected, or you're preparing for an EMP event, a metal building is the way to go.

If you're ready to get started with your metal building project, contact the team at CDMG.

They have years of experience in the industry and will guide you through your entire project, ensuring you get the building you need.

Click the button below to get started today.

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