High Wind Rated Light Poles
- Steel and fiberglass options for high-wind applications
- Selection support using manufacturer wind-load data
- Anchor-base and direct-burial configurations available
Our High Wind Rated Light Poles include steel and fiberglass models for commercial and outdoor lighting installations. Available configurations include anchor-base and direct-burial construction, with round, square, straight, and tapered pole designs. Models accommodate fixture, arm, bullhorn, camera, banner, sign, and accessory mounting arrangements.
These poles are used at open-exposure sites, coastal locations, hurricane-prone areas, and locations with severe storms. Common projects include commercial outdoor lighting installations, utility applications, wastewater facilities, and sites near electrical infrastructure.
High-Wind Rated Light Poles for Commercial and Outdoor Lighting
High-wind rated light poles are selected for sites where local design wind speeds, open exposure, coastal weather, hurricanes, or severe storms place greater structural demands on the pole and mounted equipment. Start by confirming the project location and required design criteria, then identify the exact pole height, installation method, fixture and accessory configuration, and total mounted EPA. Compare pole models using manufacturer wind-load data for those exact conditions, including applicable foundation and soil requirements.
Available options include steel light poles and fiberglass light poles. Neither material is automatically the better high-wind choice. Final selection depends on pole height, allowable EPA, fixture configuration, mounting style, corrosion exposure, installation method, and manufacturer wind-load data.
Engineering Note: Wind speed alone does not determine whether a pole is suitable. Confirm the required design criteria, pole model, height, fixture EPA, arm or bullhorn EPA, mounting arrangement, foundation, soil conditions, and local code requirements before ordering. Pole and foundation suitability should be verified by the appropriate qualified professional for the project.
Steel Versus Fiberglass High-Wind Light Poles
| Selection Factor | How Steel and Fiberglass Differ |
|---|---|
| Structural behavior | Steel poles are generally stiffer, while fiberglass poles may allow more flex depending on the pole design. Both must be selected from manufacturer wind-load tables for the exact height and mounted load. |
| Corrosion exposure | Galvanized or properly coated steel can perform well in demanding environments. Fiberglass does not rust and may be advantageous in coastal, saltwater, wastewater, or chemically corrosive locations when its materials, finish, and manufacturer environmental documentation are suitable for the exposure. |
| Weight and handling | Steel poles are typically heavier. Fiberglass poles are often lighter, which may simplify transportation and installation depending on pole height and site access. |
| Electrical conductivity | Steel is electrically conductive, while fiberglass is generally nonconductive. Electrical grounding, bonding, clearance, and utility requirements must still be designed and installed in accordance with applicable code and project requirements. |
| Installation style | Steel poles are commonly available with anchor-base construction. Fiberglass poles are frequently direct buried, although available mounting configurations vary by model. |
| Fixture and accessory support | Steel often provides broad compatibility with commercial arms, bullhorns, tenons, and light pole accessories. Fiberglass compatibility depends on the pole design and manufacturer-approved mounting provisions. |
| Best fit | Steel is often selected for common commercial layouts, heavier mounting arrangements, and familiar anchor-base construction. Fiberglass is often considered where corrosion resistance, lighter weight, or nonconductivity is important. |
Understanding Wind Speed and Allowable EPA
Effective Projected Area, or EPA, represents the wind-exposed area of equipment mounted to the pole. Fixture housings, mounting arms, bullhorns, cameras, signs, and other accessories can all contribute to the total EPA.
Each pole model has an allowable EPA at specified wind speeds and installation conditions. As wind speed, pole height, arm length, or mounted surface area increases, the remaining capacity of the pole typically decreases. Always use the manufacturer’s table for the exact pole height, material, wall thickness, shape, mounting configuration, and wind criteria.
Manufacturer allowable-EPA tables generally state the supported appurtenance load after accounting for the pole structure under the published conditions. The project team must total the EPA of all mounted components and confirm that the combined load does not exceed the pole’s published capacity. Weight, mounting geometry, vibration, and other manufacturer limits may also apply.
Use this wind map as a general reference only. Final design wind speed, exposure category, risk category, local amendments, and pole requirements should be confirmed for the project location.
What Determines the Correct High-Wind Pole?
| Project Factor | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Installation location | Provide the project address and the wind and exposure criteria established for the project. Local terrain, coastal conditions, and code requirements can affect pole selection. |
| Pole height | Use the wind-load table for the exact pole height. Capacity from a shorter pole should not be applied to a taller model. |
| Fixture model and quantity | Confirm the EPA and weight of every fixture. Do not estimate load from wattage, lumen output, or fixture appearance. |
| Arms and bullhorns | Include the EPA, weight, extension length, orientation, and fixture arrangement of all mounting hardware. |
| Pole material and shape | Steel, fiberglass, round, square, straight, and tapered poles have different structural behavior and published capacities. |
| Anchor base or direct burial | Confirm the required installation method, base plate, anchor bolts, embedment, wiring access, and manufacturer requirements. |
| Foundation and soil | Foundation diameter, depth, reinforcement, anchor bolts, and embedment depend on pole loading, soil conditions, frost depth, and applicable design requirements. |
| Corrosion environment | Review salt air, standing water, fertilizers, chemicals, industrial emissions, and coating or material requirements. |
| Future additions | Do not add fixtures, cameras, banners, signs, or arms later without confirming the revised total EPA and pole capacity. |
Can Multiple Fixtures Be Installed on a High-Wind Pole?
Multiple fixtures can be installed when the combined EPA, weight, arm configuration, and mounting arrangement remain within the pole manufacturer’s limits. Fixture quantity alone does not determine suitability. Two large fixtures on extended arms may create more wind load than several compact fixtures mounted close to the pole.
For multi-fixture configurations, confirm the EPA of every fixture and accessory, the length and orientation of the arms, the pole height, and the required wind criteria. Use only mounting arrangements approved for the selected pole.
Foundation and Installation Requirements
High-wind pole performance depends on the complete installed system, not the pole alone. Anchor bolts, base plates, foundations, direct-burial embedment, soil conditions, drainage, backfill, concrete, reinforcement, and installation quality all affect structural performance.
There is no universal foundation depth that applies to every pole. Foundation and embedment requirements must be determined from the pole loading, mounting style, site conditions, frost depth, soil information, and applicable design requirements. Existing foundations should not be reused for a different pole or fixture configuration without verification.
Before Ordering a High-Wind Pole
Before selecting a pole, confirm that the proposed pole, fixtures, arms, bullhorns, and accessories are evaluated as one complete configuration. The most useful buying decision is not simply choosing the highest wind-speed label; it is selecting a documented pole configuration with sufficient allowable EPA for the project’s required conditions.
- Match the published table: Verify that the selected pole height, shape, wall thickness, mounting configuration, and wind criteria match the manufacturer’s wind-load data.
- Use published EPA values: Obtain EPA information for every fixture, arm, bullhorn, camera, sign, banner, and other mounted item.
- Confirm approved hardware: Select only manufacturer-approved arms, brackets, tenons, and mounting arrangements for the pole model.
- Plan for future equipment: Reserve adequate capacity if future fixtures, cameras, signs, or other accessories are anticipated.
- Coordinate the installed system: Confirm foundation, anchor bolts, direct-burial depth, soil, drainage, and installation requirements with the responsible project professionals.
- Review environmental exposure: Select materials, coatings, hardware, and maintenance practices appropriate for salt air, chemicals, standing water, industrial emissions, or other corrosive conditions.
High-Wind Light Pole Selection Support
LED Lighting Supply can help compare steel and fiberglass poles using the project location, established wind criteria, pole height, fixture models, fixture EPA, arms, bullhorns, mounting arrangement, installation style, and environmental exposure.
To help narrow the options, provide the project address, required pole height, fixture model and quantity, mounting hardware, existing pole or foundation information, and whether the site requires anchor-base or direct-burial installation.
Contact us about high-wind rated light poles for help reviewing available pole options and manufacturer wind-load information. Final structural, foundation, installation, and code requirements should be confirmed by the appropriate qualified professionals for the project.
High Wind Rated Light Poles FAQs
How Do I Choose The Correct High-Wind Rated Light Pole?
Choose a high-wind rated light pole using the required project wind criteria, exact pole height, total EPA of mounted equipment, mounting arrangement, installation method, foundation and soil conditions, corrosion exposure, and manufacturer wind-load data. Wind speed alone does not determine whether a pole is suitable.
How Is Allowable EPA Used When Selecting A High-Wind Light Pole?
Allowable EPA must be compared with the combined EPA of all fixtures, arms, bullhorns, cameras, signs, banners, and other mounted accessories. Use the manufacturer's table for the exact pole model, height, material, wall thickness, shape, and required wind speed.
Should I Choose Steel Or Fiberglass For A High-Wind Light Pole?
Neither steel nor fiberglass is automatically the better high-wind choice because final selection depends on the pole design and project conditions. Steel is often selected for common commercial layouts, heavier mounting arrangements, and anchor-base construction, while fiberglass is often considered where corrosion resistance, lighter weight, or nonconductivity is important.
Can Multiple Fixtures Be Installed On A High-Wind Pole?
Multiple fixtures can be installed when their combined EPA, weight, arm configuration, and mounting arrangement remain within the pole manufacturer's limits. Confirm the EPA of every fixture and accessory, arm length and orientation, pole height, required wind speed, and approved mounting arrangement.
Do Arms, Bullhorns, And Accessories Affect High-Wind Pole Selection?
Yes, arms, bullhorns, brackets, cameras, banners, signs, and other accessories contribute to the total wind load and must be included in the combined EPA. Extension length, orientation, fixture arrangement, and accessory weight must also be confirmed for mounting hardware.
Can An Existing Foundation Be Reused For A New High-Wind Pole?
An existing foundation should not be reused for a different pole or fixture configuration without verification. Foundation and embedment requirements depend on pole loading, mounting style, site conditions, frost depth, soil information, and applicable design requirements.
Can Fixtures Or Accessories Be Added To A High-Wind Pole Later?
Fixtures, cameras, banners, signs, or arms should not be added later without confirming the revised total EPA and pole capacity. Additional equipment can cause the installed configuration to exceed the pole's allowable EPA.
