The Lightning Protection Institute was founded in 1955. In 1978 it was chartered as a not-for-profit corporation of the state of Illinois.

Aims and objectives of the Lightning Protection Institute are to...

1. Develop means of protecting life and property from loss by lightning.

2. Assure greater public safety by extending the use of proper lightning protection systems.

3. Inform the public in regard to proper and positive lightning protection.

4. Compile and disseminate data and information on lightning, and on losses caused by lightning.

5. Initiate and conduct lightning protection research and development.

6. Formulate and promote standards for lightning protection materials and systems.

7. Conduct educational programs on the science and methods of lightning protection.

8. Conduct training and educational programs for installers, designers, and inspectors of lightning protection systems.

9. Test and certify competence in lightning protection systems design, installation, and inspection.

10. Promote and enforce high standards of quality and safety in the design and installation of lightning protection systems.

To receive the LPI certified system plate, a lightning protection system must...

1. Comply with the lightning protection Components Standard, LPI-176.

2. Comply with the lightning protection Standard of Practice, LPI-175.

3. Be reviewed for compliance with LPI-175 at all stages of installation.

4. Be certified by four signatories - the Owner or his agent, the installer, the manufacturer, and the LPI.

A certificate is issued for every LPI Certified System.  The Certified System Plate is issued where the structure involved is an industrial, commercial size structure, but is optional in the case of a residential size structure.