LPI Summer/Fall 2024 Newsletter

SUMMER/FALL 2024

INNOVATION. Members | Partners | Industry

With growth, comes the opportunity to innovate and streamline processes for new and continued success.

See Inside - All of us are contributing to the industry success!

Innovation '24 inspired us all to explore new ways to raise awareness and expand our industry.

From creating logos for Master Installers to restructuring the LPI website to strengthening partnerships, the LPI is finding innovative ways to support individual members and promote industry growth.

As of April 1st, our testing went live!

The LPI Certification tests can now be taken through an online proctor.

These tests were developed with significant input from the member task group. These members also spent hours of review and development with an outside agency to ensure that the testing structure conforms to ANSI standards. The next step is to get this testing program accredited.

Partnerships are leading the way to success for the industry. By collaborating with members, we've showcased lightning protection systems as essential for critical facilities and building resiliency.

Partnering with organizations within the lightning protection industry has increased awareness of our field.

Collaborating with other industries has allowed us to expand our reach and learn from their experiences, paving new pathways for our industry.

The LPI is committed to you and our industry. Please continue to share your feedback and ideas.

Tim Harger, Executive Director

INNOVATION’24 Certification Testing Online Member Certification Logos Partnership Webinars New Advertising Synergy with Lightning Protection Industry Organizations The Summit: New Industry Leadership Conference 02 |

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Front Page Photo Credits: Savanah Convention Center: Atlanta Lightning

TESTING is LIVE! Read about the new certification requirements and testing procedures on the LPI website under certification.

New wording has been added to the certification section of the website to: Reinforce Installation to the standards Ensure that individuals utilize certified lightning protection contractors Outline the options for certification & the process for certification

Want to Display your Certification?

We have a logo for you.

Use in email signatures, business cards, or any document that you want to display your credentials!

NEW IDEA Brought to you by ... an LPI Member!

“Can we get a logo with our certification and number?”

Bring us your new idea to lpi@lightning.org!

Chris Smith Certification #0000 People are asking...

When and where is the next conference?

When can we register?

See answer on page 13

WEBSITE As we looked for new ways to innovate, we realized that many of the activities of the LPI, our members, and our partners were only seen once via social media or on the website.

Where can everyone see the growth of the industry 24/7?

Members Projects National Campaigns Initiatives Partnerships Education

The LPI updated the website to showcase more of what’s happening now and into the future!

Articles/Research

Are you familiar with the NEW CODE? IBC: 2703 Lightning Protection Systems Our partners at the Lightning Safety Alliance (LSA) created a brochure that highlights the key points.

Find this on the LPI Website under “Resources.” https://lightning.org/resources/

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Partnerships As partners, we share and support.

Our first priority is you, the LPI Member.

You inspire us to do more through feedback and actions.

You are adapting your organizations as we see the industry growing.

Supporting our Members The Lightning Protection Institute identifies opportunities to bring awareness to our members and our industry.

This social media post: Brings awareness to the different certification types Emphasizes the importance of using certified lightning protection contractors Recognizes our LPI members and the LPI certified women Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook and Instagram for the most recent information.

The LPI includes member projects and directs others to “Find a Contractor” in multiple places.

Presentations Press Releases Advertisements Articles Social Media Website The Larson Lightning Protection Team/ Enola, PA

FEATURED MEMBER

Members are featured on the homepage of the LPI website and highlighted in social media. We’ve changed how we showcase members. For contractors, we are showcasing the people and their projects. For manufacturers, we are using a Q&A style to highlight a product or process.

Secure your spot as a Featured Member!

Email us at lpi@lightning.org to get on the schedule.

Here’s a recent example that highlights LPI Member, Atlanta Lightning Protection, their skills and emphasizes the need for the certified lightning protection professionals.

MEET the LPI Master Installer/Designers: Adam Smith and Baylen Smith!

The LPI promotes using certified lightning protection professionals for the design and installation of lightning protection systems.

Adam (bottom) and Baylen (top) have worked from Tuscaloosa, AL. to Savannah, GA., serving homeowners, general contractors, facility managers, and architects.

Lightning Protection Partners Lightning Protection Partners are those organizations that are within our industry doing specialized work or have focused efforts.

Together, we can do more for individuals, communities, and members.

The Lightning Protection University

In 2024, the lightning protection industry associations have partnered together to create a synergy within our industry - in the hopes of creating greater awareness and providing more resources to support our industry.

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Find out more about each organization on the LPI website under Partnerships.

Partnerships Partnerships provide an opportunity to learn best practices from one another to bring great success to each entity.

AND - partnerships can enable us to make a great impact or move the needle on an issue.

Architects Engineers Building Enclosure/Roofing Weather Experts Insurance Facility Managers

Each of these partners has supported us through education, sharing resources, and highlighting our social media. We continue to identify ways to strengthen and grow each one of these relationships.

We have seen the positive impact our partnerships have made by providing us insight and expanding awareness within their own industries. They have afforded us new opportunities and enhanced our efforts to educate others on lightning protection systems.

Thank You for your Support!

We find ways to enhance each other's business or industry.

LPI: Assess and Protect Triple I: Predict and Prevent The LPI is aligned with Triple I’s message to minimize damage and business interruption. The Triple I sent out a joint press release for Small Business Week and shared in our social media efforts to educate and protect small businesses.

RESOURCES: Articles | Research | Education Access to education and data enables individuals, business owners, facility managers, and communities to make the right choices.

Here’s a recently added article from some familiar names in the industry.

Knowing the reliability of the documented number of cloud-to-ground lightning flashes and ground contact points has significant impact. A primary category of use for this data can be during a risk assessment for lightning protection systems in specialized applications. Other lightning-sensitive applications will benefit, including human safety and forestry.

Authors: Chris Vagasky, Ronald L. Holle, Martin J. Murphy, John A. Cramer, Ryan K. Said, Mitchell Guthrie*, and Jesse Hietanen (*LPI Member)

Learning the Basics This webinar is a great starting point for understanding lightning protection systems for Architects, Engineers, Building Enclosure Consultants and anyone who wants to learn the basics of a lightning protection system, the components and the process for installation.

The LPI plans to host at least three (3) Basic webinars a year.

Participants could earn AIA & IIBEC Continuing Education Credits!

Resource Page For articles, case studies, and research, visit the LPI Website.

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https://lightning.org/resources/

Marketing enables us to bring our resources to the forefront. It’s a form of education that reaches a broad audience.

Awareness Lightning, Lightning Protection Systems, the Right Process for Installation and Inspection, and LPI Members Our marketing efforts look outside the boundaries of our industry to ensure that people and communities are protected - in the right way!

We are providing education and resources in multiple ways: partnerships, website, webinars, advertisements, national events and more.

We have focused on “Assessment” since assessment leads to people and property being protected.

Social Media is driving readers to “Find a Contractor” Awards recognizing collaboration within the industry Featured Members bringing recognition to Members & lightning protection systems Emails/Social Media bringing recognition to our Members & Partners Personal engagement with emails and phone calls

National Campaigns 2024: Small Business Week Bringing attention to “Assessment” with a National Partner

Chicago Architect: 1/2 Page Magazine Advertisement

Repetition & Consistency You may notice that we are using the purple cityscape and mentioning assessment in several places. We continue to reinforce using a certified lightning contractor and “Find a Contractor”. This repetition and consistency helps to make our industry, lightning protection systems, using the “right process” and our members top of mind with our target audiences.

WEBINARS are a Resource for members, other industries and communities that provide data and insight to make informed choices.

This year we have expanded our webinar content to include a new “Partnership Series.”

These webinars feature an LPI partner who is sharing their expertise and insight toward the lightning protection industry or providing our members a business resource.

The first Partnership Series Webinar included Vaisala X Weather.

Sponsorship opportunities enable LPI Members to gain exposure in new ways.

Vaisala Xweather The weather intelligence partner for the world’s leading organizations and governments.

NEW AUDIENCE EVERY Friday Reaching Over 21,000

Facility Managers with a direct link to the LPI website and to you, our members.

Find a Local Contractor Access local LPI Members and LPI Certified Contractors for questions or to start an installation process. https://lightning.org/about/find-a-contractor/

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INSURANCE Trending Upwards

DATA

Data shows an increase in the number of incidents and the costs associated with lightning claims.

Homeowners insurance claims rose by over 30%!

According to LPI partner, the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), national insurance claims data reveals: The number of lightningcaused U.S. homeowners insurance claims increased by 13.8%. *Note - these are homeowners only! These numbers do not include commercial losses.

The total value of lightningcaused U.S. homeowners insurance claims rose by over 30% in 2023, totaling $1.27 billion, compared to $950 million in 2022.

The average cost per lightning-caused claim surged by 14.6%, from $15,280 in 2022 to $17,513in 2023.

Lightning protection systems: “It’s like an insurance policy for your home to be protected from lightning.”

Tim Harger, LPI Executive Director, states in the video (link below)

EDUCATION

Promoting Safety and Assessment.

Credits: @Rob Duns /NBC2 News Florida and Mitchell Goerke/Photographer

People want to know: “How does a lightning protection system work on a home?”

Myths debunked and a 2 minute video to show how it works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q69gQAP0duM

LPI Members, Cole Newman and Kevin Ahern of Bonded Lightning Protection Systems, Inc., are showcased on this video created in conjunction with NBC in Florida.

Our industry continues to grow.

Members are seeing more work than ever before and are challenged with filling the pipeline with new workers.

NEW Industry Event!

See Delegates and Sponsors on the LPI Website under Events/The Summit.

What’s next for the Industry!

The Summit is more than a conference; it's a collaborative strategy session to shape the future of our industry.

The Summit provides an opportunity to bring together lightning protection organizations and key individuals to outline challenges and opportunities for the industry.

Together and separate, we each have a specific role in the strategy to drive the industry forward.

In less than 24 hours, delegates listened and took action.

Keynote Speaker

INNOVATION is often associated with something completely new.

Let us know how you are innovating!

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Speaker on Codes & Making Changes Created Goals & Objectives for Initiatives Ft. Myers Fire Station | Lightning Protection Systems, Inc.

However, INNOVATION can be a slight change to a product or process that yields great results.

Lightning Protection Partners Updates

Lightning Protection Industry Conference February 11-13, 2025 Fort Worth, TX The Crescent Hotel We can’t wait to see all of you in Texas.

The Confererence Committee is planning new speakers and evening social gatherings/networking opportunities.

If you haven’t been to a conference recently, come join us!

Follow Social Media to find out the 2025 Theme!

REGISTRATION OPENS LATE OCTOBER

More Webinars!

November & December

What's Next?

The LPI Partner Webinar series continues.

“Operational Resilience” with SLS and the LPI-IP.

Most Innovative Design Award Announced

Share Your Suggestions & Ideas! lpi@lightning.org Tim Harger at tharger@lightning.org Kelley Collins at kcollins@lightning.org

Webinars

Fire Prevention Week Double Check REGISTRATION for the 2025 Conference

Educational/Technical Page Basic Information on Lightning Protection Systems and WEBINAR Registration Visit the LPI Website. https://lightning.org/technical/

Most Innovative Design AwardS The LPI wants to recognize those individuals and firms who work with our LPI Members to successfully design and integrate lightning protection systems into commercial and residential structures.

The LPI Most innovative Design Awards provide an opportunity to showcase partnerships, as well as emphasize the importance of early collaboration on projects to be successful.

2024 Winner Coming Soon!

As a follow-up to INNOVATION ‘24, the LPI-IP sent out a survey to gain feedback and suggestions to improve the program. The results: Great feedback wtih no real need to make changes.

If you have a suggestion, please share at info@LPI-IP.com.

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Check out the new LPI-IP Brochure! which highlights..Services, Advantages and Accreditation.

Download it from the website to place on your own website or share with your potential clients.

More Inspectors Growing the IP team again!

The IP held another successful training program that included in class and live/hands on training.

The LPI-IP certification program is the final step in the proper installation process of a lightning protection system.

Picture: Tim Harger, the LPI-IP Program Manager, shows the trainees the proper positioning and height of a strike termination device.

Embrace the Standard.

Start here with our Inspection and Application page:

https://lpi-ip.com/inspections-applications/

Or contact us at: info@LPI-IP.com

Specification. Installation. Inspection.

P: 800.488.6864 | lightning.org 333 Peterson Rd. Suite F, Libertyville, IL 60048 Copyright 2023 Lightning Protection Institute