High Wind Rated Light Poles
- Engineered light poles with 150+ mph EPA ratings
- Composite and galvanized steel options resist corrosion for decades
- Pre-verified specifications eliminate costly field modifications and structural failures
Our High Wind Rated Light Poles include reinforced fiberglass composite and hot-dip galvanized steel poles with EPA wind ratings of 150+ mph. Available configurations include tapered poles and models supporting street lights, area flood lights, and decorative fixtures. EPA ratings account for the wind load created by the pole, fixtures, arms, and mounting hardware. Typical commercial project ratings range from 6 to 12 square feet, with available pole configurations varying by height, fixture quantity, fixture size, arm extension, and mounting arrangement. High-wind installations commonly support two to four fixtures, depending on the specific pole and mounted components.
These light poles are used for outdoor lighting projects in coastal regions, plains, hurricane-prone areas, and inland high-wind locations. Common applications include parking lots, airports, highways, saltwater areas, industrial zones with chemical exposure, and facilities experiencing frequent severe weather. Fiberglass composite poles are available for coastal and corrosive environments, while hot-dip galvanized steel poles are offered for inland installations. Tapered configurations and shorter fixture arm extensions are also available within this category.
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. The correct pole must support the combined wind load of the fixtures, arms, brackets, cameras, banners, and other accessories at the required project wind speed.
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 controlled flex depending on the pole design. Both must be selected from manufacturer wind-load tables for the exact height and fixture 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. |
| 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. Fiberglass is generally nonconductive, which may be beneficial near electrical infrastructure or in selected utility applications. |
| 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 the equipment mounted to the pole. Fixture housings, mounting arms, bullhorns, cameras, signs, and other accessories all contribute to the total EPA.
Each pole model has an allowable EPA at specified wind speeds. 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, and wind speed.
The EPA of the pole itself is not added to the fixture load by the buyer because the manufacturer’s published allowable EPA already accounts for the pole structure. 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 for the required conditions.
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 so the required wind criteria, exposure, terrain, coastal conditions, and local code requirements can be reviewed. |
| 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 local 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 speed. 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.
Common High-Wind Pole Selection Mistakes
- Selecting by wind speed alone: The allowable fixture and accessory EPA at that wind speed must also be confirmed.
- Using the wrong pole height table: Allowable EPA changes by height, pole model, material, shape, and construction.
- Ignoring mounting hardware: Arms, bullhorns, brackets, cameras, banners, and signs contribute to total wind load.
- Estimating EPA from fixture size: Use the published EPA from the fixture or equipment manufacturer.
- Assuming fiberglass or steel is always stronger: Both materials have advantages, and both must be evaluated using project-specific manufacturer data.
- Overlooking corrosion: Saltwater, chemicals, industrial emissions, and standing water can affect material and finish selection.
- Reusing an unverified foundation: A foundation designed for one pole and fixture arrangement may not support a different system.
- Adding equipment later: Additional fixtures or accessories can cause the installed configuration to exceed the pole’s allowable EPA.
High-Wind Light Pole Selection Support
LED Lighting Supply can help compare steel and fiberglass poles using the project location, 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 Between Steel and Fiberglass High-Wind Light Poles?
Choose based on the specific pole height, allowable EPA, fixture configuration, mounting style, corrosion exposure, installation method, and manufacturer wind-load data. Steel is often selected for common commercial layouts and heavier mounting arrangements, while fiberglass may be considered where corrosion resistance, lighter weight, or nonconductivity is important.
How Does Allowable EPA Affect High-Wind Pole Selection?
Allowable EPA determines how much wind-exposed fixture and accessory area a pole can support at the required wind speed. The combined EPA of fixtures, arms, bullhorns, cameras, signs, and other mounted equipment must remain within the published capacity for the exact pole model, height, and conditions.
What Information Is Needed To Select The Correct High-Wind Pole?
Selection requires the project location, required pole height, fixture models and quantities, EPA and weight of mounted equipment, arm configuration, installation style, soil conditions, corrosion exposure, and any future additions. Wind speed alone is not enough to confirm pole suitability.
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 requirements depend on pole loading, mounting style, soil conditions, frost depth, and applicable design requirements.
What Should Be Checked Before Adding Equipment To A High-Wind Pole?
Confirm the revised total EPA and pole capacity before adding fixtures, cameras, banners, signs, or arms. Added equipment can cause the installed configuration to exceed the pole published allowable EPA.