BUYING GUIDES
How to specify lighting poles for a road project
A complete pole specification lets suppliers quote on the same basis and avoids changes after the order. Use this checklist to brief a manufacturer, whether you start from a lighting design, a tender schedule or a reference photo.
Updated
Start from the lighting design
Pole dimensions follow the lighting design, not the other way round. The designer or road authority sets the luminaire, mounting height, spacing and arrangement (single-sided, staggered, opposite or central) to meet the required lighting class. Send the pole schedule or layout drawing with these values marked.
Height and section
State the mounting height of the luminaire as well as the pole length, and whether heights are measured from the base plate or from finished ground. Street light poles are usually 3 m to 15 m high. Round conical and polygonal sections, such as octagonal, are both common. Give the top and bottom diameters and wall thickness if your specification fixes them; otherwise the manufacturer sizes them from the loads.
Arms and luminaire connection
- Number of arms: single, twin or more.
- Arm outreach and rise angle.
- Spigot diameter and length to suit the luminaire, for example 60 mm.
- Luminaire model and weight, or the luminaire data sheet.
Base plate, anchor bolts and foundation
Most road poles stand on a welded base plate bolted to a concrete foundation. If foundations already exist, give the bolt pattern; otherwise the manufacturer proposes the base plate size and anchor bolt diameter and length. Agree who designs the foundation and what data the pole supplier provides, such as the bolt layout and the loads at the base.
Wind load and design code
Give the design wind speed or the code that applies, such as EN 40-3 in Europe, AASHTO LTS in the United States or your national code, plus the terrain category if your engineer uses one. List any extra loads on the pole, such as banners, signs, CCTV cameras or a second luminaire.
Material, galvanizing and finish
Q235 or Q355 steel, or S235 and S355 under EN 10025, covers most road poles. Hot-dip galvanizing to ISO 1461 or ASTM A123 is the usual corrosion protection; powder coating over the zinc adds colour. Name the RAL colour and note any coastal or industrial exposure on site.
Documents to request with the quotation
- General arrangement drawing for each pole type.
- Material certificates for the steel plate.
- Galvanizing thickness records.
- Welding and dimensional inspection records.
- Structural calculation, if your project requires one.
- Packing list and container loading plan.
A short brief is enough to start
If some values are not fixed yet, say so. Quantity, location, mounting height and a reference image are enough for a first proposal; the remaining details are confirmed before ordering.
