Complete Guide to Composite Fiberglass Poles

Light and utility poles have demanding requirements when it comes to weather resiliency, durability, and longevity. While wood, steel, and concrete have been historically used as pole materials, they suffer from significant functional drawbacks.

Composite fiberglass poles, also known as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) poles, are a versatile and innovative product that resolves many of the issues experienced with traditional poles. First used by the state of Hawaii in the early 1960s to combat high humidity and winds, they’ve since become a popular alternative. Today, their numerous structural and performance benefits make them the superior option for many commercial lighting and utility projects.

FRP poles undergo a much more complex production process than their wood and steel counterparts. Instead of milling and metal forming, composite fiberglass is manufactured through the process of pultrusion.

Pultrusion is a continuous production process that starts with raw glass rovings. This roving is combined with a surface veil to improve surface finish and UV resistance and is then saturated with resin epoxy. The epoxy is then heated, cured, and formed into the final composite profile. Finally, the profile is pulled through the rest of the system and automated cuts are made at pre-determined cross-section lengths to create the desired FRP pole. The result is an efficiently manufactured product that offers reinforced structural integrity.

Composite Fiberglass Poles: Specs to Consider

Most of the composite fiberglass poles in production today are utilized by the lighting and utility industries. Both of these fields have stringent requirements when it comes to structural strength and safety. Individuals looking to install FRP poles should be cognizant of these unique specifications so that a functional, up-to-code installation can occur. Fortunately, composite fiberglass poles are categorized based on these specifications, making identifying the correct pole easy.

Class Rating

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) designates a class for each type of pole based on its strength and durability, typically measured by horizontal load capacity. Classes range from 10-1 and H1-H6, and are categorized based on the industry they’re designed for. For example, classes 10 through 6 are designed strictly for telecom use, 5 through 2 for distribution, and classes 3 through H6 for transmission. For the 10-1 scale, a lower number correlates to higher strength. For the H1-H6 scale, a higher number correlates to higher strength.

Due to the prominence of lumber in pole construction, this ANSI scale was originally designed and used for wood poles only. However, ANSI 05.1 created a “wood pole equivalent” scale to accommodate alternative materials like composite fiberglass. This adaptation tests FRP poles and places them into the same 10-1 and H1-H6 categories described above.

Installation Method

Light and utility poles can be installed in two distinct ways: surface-mounted and direct-burial. Surface-mounted poles, also known as anchor-based, require concrete footings to be poured before installation. The poles are then bolted to this concrete footing via a welded flange at the base of the pole. They’re ideal for locations that have unstable soil.

Direct-burial poles, also referred to as embedded, are installed directly into the ground and supported by the surrounding soil and grade. They are more efficient to install and offer a seamless appearance.

Pole Height

Height is a very practical consideration when installing light or utility poles. On average, a residential utility pole (distribution) will range from 35-60 feet high. Transmission poles, on the other hand, can be 60 feet high or greater. It’s important to also consider the type of pole material used, as not all can structurally support taller heights.

Composite Fiberglass vs. Other Pole Types

Although wood and steel poles have been commonplace for decades, they’re being phased out for composite poles in many industrial applications. The table below displays the comparison of composite poles vs. wood poles and fiberglass poles vs. aluminum poles and steel poles.

Composite Fiberglass for Light Poles

Light poles are used in a variety of applications ranging from parking lots and sports venues to parks and exterior building lighting. Their primary purpose is to provide elevated illumination over a large coverage area to enhance visibility and safety.

Due to their public-facing location, the visual appeal of light poles should be considered in addition to their functionality. Characteristics like pole shape (square or round) and mounting style contribute to the overall style of the installation, whereas characteristics like pole height and strength contribute to the level of light coverage and durability against environmental winds. Blending these aesthetic and structural features is crucial for the overall impression and practicality of the lighting fixture.

Benefits of Fiberglass Light Poles

Composite fiberglass light poles provides several benefits that are best utilized by lighting installations. These include:

• Safety: FRP poles do not contain any of the toxic sealants used with wood poles, which can leak into the surrounding environment. They’re also non-conductive, eliminating the risk of electrocution. This reduction of occupational and public safety hazards makes them ideal for lighting installations.
• Low Cost of Ownership: Composite poles require significantly less maintenance than other materials, resulting in a higher return on investment throughout their lifespan.
• Versatility and Ease of Installation: Composite poles are very light, making them easier and more affordable to install. They can also be modified post-installation to accommodate different lights or accessories like security cameras.

Disadvantages to Consider

Despite the countless benefits that FRP poles provide for lighting situations, some drawbacks should be considered before installation. Firstly, composite poles do come at a higher price tag due to their reinforced construction. While this price is generally offset by the long lifespan of the product, stakeholders on a budget may prefer more cost-effective options. Secondly, composite fiberglass poles are sensitive to UV radiation. Purchasing poles with a UV-blocking inhibitor is essential.

Composite Fiberglass for Utility Poles

Utility poles often serve a higher stakes role, as they’re responsible for delivering power and transmitting communication signals across great distances. Due to their mission-critical nature, performance and reliability must be guaranteed out of the materials that are used. Luckily, composite fiberglass provides dependable functionality that can be trusted in the utility industry.

Benefits of Fiberglass Utility Poles

The properties of composite fiberglass lend themselves well to utility pole applications. Due to the innate structural properties of this material, several advantages can be achieved by their installation:

• Longevity: Most utility poles are wood and are vulnerable to rot, woodpecker damage, and other environmental stressors. Composite is resistant to these forms of decay, is corrosion resistant, and can be expected to last upwards of 80 years.
• High Load Resilience: The chemical properties of composite fiberglass make it much more elastic than other pole materials. This is extremely advantageous in windy regions, where storms can bring down wooden utility poles and disrupt communication and power transfers.
• Low Installation Cost: On a mass scale, utility pole installation can be extremely costly. Due to their lightweight transportation costs and easy on-site maneuverability, composite fiber tends to be more cost-effective than traditional wooden poles once all overhead costs are calculated.
• Fire Resistance: Utility poles and power lines are often installed in remote, backcountry areas like National and State Forests. Many times, these areas are in High Fire Threat Districts (HFTD) due to arid environmental conditions. Composite fiberglass poles are fire-resistant, ensuring that communication and power failure will not occur if they are exposed to wildfires.

Disadvantages to Consider

Besides the greater cost of FRP poles, many commercial utility companies are hesitant to invest in this material because of its lack of history. As a newer product to the market, the long-term results of composite fiberglass poles have yet to be measured at full capacity. Despite the obvious structural advantages, the learning curve of working with a new product and figuring out a standard maintenance/replacement cycle can prove to be a challenge.

Browse LED Lighting Supply’s Composite Fiberglass Poles

When compared to other standard light and utility poles, composite fiberglass is a high-performing alternative that is slowly being implemented worldwide. Its lightweight construction, degradation resistance, and ease of installation make it an ideal option for organizations that are seeking maximum durability and longevity out of their pole installations.

Here at LED Lighting Supply, we are focused on quality product availability, fair pricing, and customer support. We stock a wide selection of composite fiberglass poles that are sure to meet the structural requirements of your lighting and utility projects. Contact us today to get started with a quote.

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