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RoofersCoffeeShop.com > RCS Directory > Lightning Protection Institute (LPI)

Lightning Protection Institute (LPI)

The trusted resource for lightning protection knowledge, standards and qualified professionals.

Founded in 1955, the Lightning Protection Institute brings together manufacturers, contractors, installers, designers and industry partners around one goal: standards-based systems that keep people and property safe. LPI advocates for recognized standards, certifies lightning protection professionals -Internationally and gives the construction, roofing, design and facility management communities the resources they need… from risk assessment through inspection and maintenance.

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Advocacy

Standards-based systems protect people, property and projects.

LPI advocates for ANSI-accredited lightning protection systems in commercial construction and across the building industry. Lightning protection is built into the roof assembly, so quality installation depends on coordination across trades. Understanding these standards matters for roofing and building enclosure professionals too. LPI works with the design, construction, roofing and facility management communities to make sure protection is specified, installed and maintained to a recognized standard.

Standards & Code advocacy: LPI promotes NFPA 780, the standard that defines a properly designed and inspected system.
Code submittals: LPI pushes for required lightning protection assessments for Critical Facilities through NFPA and IBC processes.
Industry partnerships: LPI builds relationships across roofing, building enclosure, architecture, engineering, insurance and facility management.
Cross-trade coordination: A properly designed system requires lightning protection contractors and roofing professionals to talk to each other. LPI supports that conversation.

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Why it matters

Lightning is a preventable threat to the structures you build and maintain.

Lightning damage is preventable. A properly designed, installed, and inspected lightning protection and grounding system removes the risk to a structure and the people inside it. For roofing and building enclosure professionals, this work intersects directly with yours: air terminals, conductors and bonding all have to coordinate with roofing systems, penetrations and flashing details. Have that conversation early and the project goes smoothly. Skip it, and problems follow.

3–5% of all commercial insurance claims involve lightning damage.
Lightning has been the second-deadliest weather event over the last two decades, behind only floods.
A properly designed and inspected system nearly eliminates this risk for policyholders and building occupants.
Electronic infrastructure failure is one of the costliest consequences of an unprotected strike. Beyond the damage to electronics, this failure leads to operation downtime and lost revenue.

Learn more about why it matters.

Understanding the system

Assessment. Design. Install. Inspect. Maintain.

A lightning protection system gives lightning energy a safe path to ground and keeps essential electrical and operational systems running. That’s a real, measurable contribution to a building’s resiliency.

It only works as a team effort. Design, installation, inspection and maintenance each depend on coordination across trades. Every system is built for that specific building from the start, installed in sequence with other trades, inspected by a qualified third party, and maintained for the life of the building. For roofing and building enclosure professionals, understanding this process means fewer surprises on site and better outcomes for owners.

Risk assessment: A site and structure evaluation determines the risk level and whether a system is needed. Good decisions start with good data.
System design: An LPI-certified designer lays out air terminals, conductors, grounding, bonding and surge protection to NFPA 780, coordinated with the architectural and engineering drawings.
Installation: An LPI-certified contractor installs the system. Roof penetrations, flashing integration and conductor routing require direct coordination with the roofing trade.
Third-party inspection: The LPI Inspection Program (LPI-IP) is the only inspection program focused solely on lightning protection systems, which increases their comprehensive and accurate inspections. LPI-IP holds ISO/IEC 17020 Inspection Body Accreditation from ANAB, the ANSI National Accreditation Board, confirming its inspections meet the international standard for independent, competent inspection.
Ongoing maintenance: Systems need periodic inspection after roofing work, structural changes or major weather events. Roofers are often back on the roof first and can help flag concerns.

Learn more about the system.

Resources & memberships

LPI connects you with the knowledge, professionals and tools to get it right.

Whether you’re a roofing contractor coordinating with a lightning protection installer for the first time, a building enclosure consultant reviewing a spec or a general contractor figuring out what a standards-based system requires…the LPI is your resource. Joining as a member or industry partner connects you to certified professionals, technical resources and ongoing education to keep you and your projects on solid ground.

Find a certified contractor: Search our nationwide directory of LPI-certified lightning protection contractors and designers at lightning.org.
Educational webinars: Continuing education for architects, engineers, roofing professionals and facility managers, including AIA-approved credits.
Technical resources: Industry research, standards overviews, installation guidance and coordination resources.
Industry membership: Open to manufacturers, contractors, installers, designers and allied trades. Your participation strengthens the standards that protect every project.

Learn more about our memberships and resources.