Third-Party Lightning Protection System Certification Program for
Explosives Facilities
Mitchell Guthrie; Engineering Consultant; Blanch, NC, USA
Tim Harger; Lightning Protection Institute – Inspection Program; Libertyville, IL, USA
Mark Morgan; Lightning Protection Institute – Inspection Program; Libertyville, IL, USA
Keywords: Inspection, lightning protection, explosives, certification, grounding system testing, test plan
Abstract
This paper describes a third-party certification program developed for lightning protection systems (LPS) installed
to military specifications, including protection of structures housing explosives. The Extended Master Inspection
Program was developed by the Lightning Protection Institute - Inspection Program (LPI-IP) as a supplement to their
proven Master Installation Certification Program. The Extended Master Inspection Program provides a respected
alternative independent third-party resource for the certification of lightning protection systems for structures
housing explosives; addressing NFPA, UFC, Army, Navy, and Air Force explosives safety standards. The paper
provides a description of the structure of the program and details the interaction between the installer, authority
having jurisdiction (or owner’s representative), and certification body (including third-party inspector). It also
describes the documentation and distribution of pre-inspection reference material in the form of the lightning
protection system inspection plan. The program also addresses the assessment of the grounding and bonding of the
LPS and the methods used to do such. The paper describes the interactive process used to quantify what level of
electrical testing that would be acceptable to the AHJ.
I. Introduction
The Lightning Protection Institute - Inspection Program (LPI-IP) was established in 2011 as an
alternative to Underwriter’s Laboratories’ third-party certification program for lightning
protection system installations. It has become well-established in the field, having provided over
1500 certifications in 2017. The scope of certifications associated with the LPI-IP Master
Installation Certification Program are related to NFPA 780 (2017), LPI-175 (2017), and UL 96A
(2018). The LPI-IP Inspection Program requires confirmation of parts of the system installation
that cannot be visually inspected by requiring photographs and signatures of witnesses to verify
the content of the photographs. Such parts of the system include the grounding system and any
concealed conductors and components.
Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-575-01 (2012) requires third party certification for installed
lightning protection systems. The US Air Force requires that this third-party certification be
provided by organizations other than Underwriters Laboratories. As a response to numerous
requests to perform inspections of lightning protection systems for structures housing explosives
and fill the need as a certifying body responsive to the needs of these customers, the LPI-IP
Extended Master Inspection Program was developed. Details of the program are described in this
paper.
Standards for ammunition and explosives (AE) facilities are generally based on DoD 6055.09-M,
Volume 2 (2012) and NFPA 780, Chapter 8 (2017). NFPA 780 (2017), 8.10 requires that the
