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As early as possible, perform a systems survey to learn what different systems are present at the facility. This is the first planning step to protect a facility with an ISBP.
100% of all systems identified present or discovered at the facility must be included in the ideal ISBP.
As asserted before, any ISBP is better than none. For an ISBP to balance any current flow, it must integrate a minimum of two systems represented at a facility. Anything less than 100% of all systems identified present will still contribute to the safety of a facility, but in a degraded manner. The problem is that each overlooked system will bring the risk and opportunity for flashover indoors to the occupants and weaken the grounding cone of protection.
The process of integrating a service system into the ISBP suite means that it will be assigned its own module. The module is then labeled for rapid location by the service's installer. This process is called sponsoring.
A sponsored service must continue to use its own ISBP module to add on modifications, upgrades, and changes. It may be necessary to restore an old bonding or grounding function that has been interrupted by a change in the facility, such as new piping or rewiring of a service. It may be necessary to re-route with a new bonding jumper to include a left-off, or floating, part of the system. All of these events must be resolved at the sponsoring module as a last resort, unless they can be rebuilt back to the way they were originally constructed.
The sponsoring module is the consumer's property and is available for the consumer to verify what connections really exist at his or her facility. For example, if a telephone utility installs two network interface devices (NIDs) on the side of the consumer's building, then the consumer should be able to find two system bonding connections (one for each NID) in the sponsoring ISBP module.
Any conductive surfaces or objects located within one (1) meter of the ISBP must be bonded to the ISBP suite. A "local" module in the ISBP suite would be ideal for these connections. A separate "lightning protection" module would be dedicated only to lightning protection systems.
I would prefer to extend the reach and influence of the ISBP suite to two (2) meters because of the ability of lightning to jump air spaces and air gaps. Bonding at two meters would be critical for direct and nearby lightning strikes. Such bonding will make the difference between saving property or abandoning it. An additional benefit to remember is that the extra distance covered in bonding will create an enhanced safety zone for people and animals. Any risk of flashover near people or animals will be reduced by extending the sphere of influence of the ISBP.
Identifying all the services is critical to a making a strong ISBP that can sponsor as many as possible, preferably all of them.
Make room for at least one separate module per existing service for sponsoring, and try to make more for "local" and "spare" use.
The sponsoring module belongs to the consumer or facility owner. It is a convenience for the use of tenant services, who are required to use it.
Use a local module in the ISBP to bond on to anything metallic within a sphere of two (2) meters from the ISBP. Anything not already bonded to another module should be bonded on at the local module. This is an important step to strenghening the grounding cone of protection for lightning protection and survivability.
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