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Lightning and safety guidelines

ST STITHIANS COLLEGE

Official source

Source domain: stithian.com

Collected on 6 August 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This document is a safety procedure issued by St Stithians College outlining protocols for responding to lightning threats on campus. It details an automated early warning system using sirens and strobe lights triggered by lightning within a 15km radius, with specific instructions to seek shelter immediately and avoid dangerous behaviors. The procedure applies to staff, students, parents, visitors, and external users during both on-campus and off-campus school activities. Compliance is mandatory, with disciplinary action possible for non-compliance.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

emergency shelterNot applicable

School buildings (constructed of brick)

Brick school buildings are made available as the best and most suitable shelter when lightning danger is indicated.

Who it is for
All persons outdoors on campus during a lightning warning
How to act on it
Stop outdoor activities immediately and enter an appropriate brick school building as quickly as possible when the warning siren sounds.
Show the line this came from
School buildings (constructed of brick) are considered to be the best, most suitable shelter.
automated lightning warning serviceOngoing

The College’s early warning lightning detection system

The College provides an automated warning system for actual grounded lightning within a 15km radius. It operates from 05:30 to 22:00 every day of the year, using a single long airhorn for a warning, two short airhorns for the all-clear, and red strobe lights while the warning is active.

Who it is for
Staff, students, parents, visitors and people entering or using the campus
How to act on it
Listen for the airhorn siren and watch for the red strobe lights; when warned, stop outdoor activities and seek shelter. Treat two short airhorns as the all-clear, subject to the minimum 30-minute interval.
Show the line this came from
The College’s early warning lightning detection system is linked to the service provider Africa Weather, who have partnered with the South African Weather Service for real-time lightning data.
emergency shelterNot applicable

the large roofed grandstand shelters around campus

The College identifies its earthed, roofed grandstand shelters as safe places to shelter during lightning activity.

Who it is for
All persons outdoors on campus during a lightning warning
How to act on it
Stop outdoor activities immediately and move to an earthed roofed grandstand shelter as quickly as possible when the warning siren sounds.
Show the line this came from
However, the large roofed grandstand shelters around campus have been earthed and are also considered safe.

Facts

Places

Gauteng

Key Takeaways

  • 3 March 2019
  • lightning detection system
  • Africa Weather
  • South African Weather Service
  • 15km radius
  • warning siren: single long airhorn
  • all-clear siren: two short airhorn
  • minimum 30 minutes between warning and all-clear
  • strobe lights at vehicle entrances
  • brick buildings and earthed grandstands as safe shelters
  • prohibited actions: standing under trees, touching metal, being in water, standing in groups
  • crouch down with feet together if no shelter
  • disciplinary action for non-compliance
  • external users must be informed
  • 5th Amendment 3 March 2019
  • St Stithians College
  • Africa Weather
  • South African Weather Service
  • Head of Operations