What is a critical step in documenting the installation of a lightning protection system?

Documenting the installation of a lightning protection system is essential for future maintenance, inspections, and to ensure compliance with standards. Photographing the concealed areas is particularly critical because it captures the aspects of the installation that will not be visible once the work is completed. This includes connections to grounding systems, the routing of cables, and any hidden components that are vital for the system's effectiveness. Such documentation is invaluable if there are future inquiries or if maintenance is needed since it allows technicians to understand the system’s layout without needing to dismantle structures.

While creating a 3D model, using colored markers, and listing materials used can enhance documentation efforts, they do not specifically address the unique challenge of ensuring that concealed installations are adequately recorded. Such visual records are crucial for confirming that all elements of the system are installed correctly and to document compliance with safety standards, thus emphasizing the importance of photographing these hidden areas.