What Wind Ratings Should Light Poles Have in Areas Affected by Hurricanes

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Jennifer Castillo

In areas occasionally affected by hurricanes, light poles should have wind ratings designed to withstand wind speeds up to 150 mph – or the equivalent of a category 4 or 5 hurricane. More specifically, Effective Projected Area (EPA) wind ratings should be considered for areas that receive high winds.

Wind ratings describe the maximum wind speeds that a particular lighting fixture should be able to sustain before risk of failure. For light poles installed in areas affected by hurricanes, durable construction and clever fixture design are essential to mitigating failure with intense wind speeds.

How is a Light Pole’s Wind Rating Determined?

Lighting poles are responsible for bearing heavy loads without failing, around the calendar and in all weather conditions. One of the most challenging conditions for light poles is extreme wind. Wind-related stresses are present all along coastal areas, and special wind zones are also located in spots around the country, such as around mountain ranges, but hurricane zones require the greatest wind tolerances.

Wind ratings can be difficult to derive, as they rely on calculating the effective projected area (EPA) of the light pole and its fixtures. Think of it as the total area of all wind-exposed surfaces on the light pole and fixture. The light’s EPA value is multiplied by a drag coefficient to determine the pole and fixture’s wind rating. EPA values have been calculated by lighting manufacturers and the data is available to lighting installers, but as wind ratings depend on every component involved, wind ratings will change if different poles, fixtures, lamp housings or other accessories are switched out for each other. This can make precise wind rating calculations difficult without expert assistance.

How are Light Poles Fortified for Areas Affected by Hurricanes?

EPA wind rated light poles are constructed from solid steel or fiberglass materials – both of which are designed to hold up better under intense winds. These lighting poles are typically installed into concrete bases or footings to enhance their structural strength. The fixture is secured using high-strength brackets that are designed to bear additional loading forces.

Regular inspections and maintenance are important to ensure your EPA appropriate light poles can withstand heavy storms. When inspecting the light poles and fixtures, verify that corrosion or impact damage are not present and threatening the lighting pole’s stability. The concrete bases of the poles should also be inspected for damage or wear. Large cracks or fractures in the concrete or significant loss of aggregate merit an expert inspection to ensure the lighting pole is still properly anchored.

The Benefits of Installing Wind-Resistant Lighting Poles and Fixtures

Wind-resistant lighting poles are a necessary solution in areas where hurricanes are a potential threat as they provide additional benefits that include:

Better overall safety – Lighting poles rated for hurricane-force winds are designed to withstand more than the typical light pole. As such, they are better designed to withstand high wind, wear and potential accidents. Reinforced bracketing and pole materials ensure that your lighting poles are less likely to fail and put nearby people and vehicles at risk.
Greater load bearing capacity – Wind-resistant lighting poles are built to withstand greater forces and loads, including those caused by weight bearing. With their additional structural reinforcement and added ability to bear weight, EPA appropriate light poles may be able to accommodate larger fixtures or additional lighting accessories, such as lighting controls.
Longer lasting investment – With their superior durability, structural integrity and wind resistance, property owners can expect their EPA wind rated light poles to last longer and provide additional long-term value.

The Advantages of Partnering with a Lighting Expert When Installing Lighting Poles in Hurricane Prone Areas

When installing lighting poles and fixtures in areas affected by hurricanes, it is highly recommended that an experienced lighting company manage the fixture selection and installation process, and here are the reasons why:

Accurate wind ratings – As mentioned, it is a challenge for inexperienced installers to properly calculate wind ratings for a particular fixture arrangement. It is a risk not worth taking for business and property owners, and bringing in the lighting professionals eliminates that risk.
Optimal fixture selection and placement – The lighting professionals utilize sophisticated photometric software to determine ideal pole placement and light selection. With photometric software, lighting designers can precisely place and configure pole and fixture placement. Photometric software uses lighting data and a computerized model of the project space to indicate the best possible lighting layout – from an energy efficiency and performance standpoint.
A solution-based mindset – If your organization partners with an experienced lighting company, you will have access to expert insight that can provide long-range input into your lighting needs. If your property needs to cut its power consumption, for example, a lighting company can introduce additional lighting products and technologies (such as advanced lighting controls) to further your goals. There are many ways to adjust lighting systems to achieve desired facility-wide or business objectives. An experienced lighting company will be able to introduce these options and execute them for clients.

In Areas Affected by Hurricanes, Lighting Poles Must be Prepared for Intense Wind Speeds

If your property sits in an area where hurricanes are a possibility, your lighting poles’ wind ratings must be prepared for extreme wind conditions. This means wind ratings up to 150 mph, which can only be achieved if the right lighting pole materials and installation techniques are observed.

A reputable lighting expert will guarantee that your lighting fixtures are prepared for catastrophic weather and will also ensure they are placed and configured to offer optimal efficiency and lightning performance.

How to Choose Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Jennifer Castillo

There are almost as many outdoor lighting fixtures as there are outdoor lighting projects. Whether used for safety, security, efficiency or aesthetic reasons, exterior lighting fixtures are available in many forms, including the following:

Parking lot and street lighting
Sports arena and sports court lighting
Wall packs and other security lighting options
Landscaping lighting
Sign lighting fixtures, like gooseneck lights

These are only a small portion of the exterior lighting applications that an expert lighting company can assist with. The impressive versatility and performance that LED lighting technology offers means that a lighting expert can source LEDs for any outdoor lighting project.

The challenge is choosing the right outdoor lighting fixtures for your project, as there are many to pick from. Read on to learn how to identify the best LED lights for your exterior lighting project.

A Practical Guide for Choosing the Right Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Whether you are installing new fixtures for safety, security or productivity reasons, the goal is to choose a set of exterior lights that offer the best combination of performance, reliability and cost effectiveness. Which lighting fixtures fit the job? That will depend on your application. Here are some examples:

Parking lot and street lighting fixtures – If you are setting up a new set of parking lot lights, LEDs are now the industry standard. LED parking lot fixtures are less expensive to operate and maintain than all other lighting technologies. They also outperform metal halides and high-pressure sodium fixtures in both lighting quality and consistency. LEDs render colors better, distribute illumination more evenly, start up much faster and are easier to control with dimmers, occupancy sensors and other advanced control options.
When choosing LED parking lot fixtures, the primary consideration is light distribution. How will the light be shaped and sized to fit your property? LED parking lot fixtures are available in several distribution patterns. Some throw light forward and some distribute light around and near the pole.
Experienced lighting companies utilize specialized software known as photometric technology to visualize outdoor lighting projects before installing fixtures. Lighting designers use photometric analysis to plug in lamp and fixture data, and use it to position those fixtures in a software-generated model of your property. This process identifies the ideal fixtures, lighting poles and fixture positioning with precision. If your business is trying to choose the right outdoor lights for your parking lot, consider partnering with a lighting professional who offers photometric analysis.
Sports arena and sports court lighting fixtures – LED lighting has also taken over sports lighting applications, from small neighborhood parks to massive outdoor arenas. When choosing outdoor lighting fixtures for a sports arena or court, lighting distribution is also important, but consistency is paramount. Whether it’s a tennis court, a baseball field, a soccer pitch, a rodeo arena, or a pickleball court, it is critical that the lights produce even illumination across the entire playing area.
This is measured using a min/max ratio, which describes the difference in lighting intensity between the darkest and brightest parts of the court or arena. The smaller the number, the less difference between these endpoint values.
Some sports, like pickle ball and baseball, require tight min/max ratios to ensure safe play (think small ball moving fast). When setting up sports lighting, make sure your outdoor fixtures meet or exceed this min/max ratio for optimal lighting consistency.
Wall packs and other security lighting fixtures – LED lighting is ideal for security applications as the technology is prized for its instant-on functionality, controllability and excellent color rendering.
Wall pack fixtures are a popular security lighting option as they can be installed just about anywhere. Flood lights are another proven option for security fixtures.
The primary concern with outdoor security fixtures is controllability. The LED lights will need to light up instantly when they are needed, and lighting controls make that happen. When choosing outdoor security lights, pick LEDs that are compatible with modern lighting controls, such as occupancy sensors which can be tied to the fixtures and used to instantly switch them on as soon as movement or activity is detected.
Another important consideration is color rendering. Prioritize high-CRI LEDs when setting up security lights to ensure high quality surveillance images or video recordings.
Landscaping lighting fixtures – When choosing outdoor lighting fixtures for landscaping purposes, the shape of the fixture’s output beam matters and will have a big impact on how your landscape lighting looks.
For example, if your landscaping includes accent pieces like a fountain or sculpture, a bullet fixture will provide the spot-like pattern that is ideal for a single subject. If you are lighting trees or walls, uplights and wall washers are ideal fixture options. If you are illuminating bushes, shrubs or other large, landscaped areas, flood lights may work best.
Sign lighting fixtures – Effective sign lighting ensures your business is visible at night. LED outdoor fixtures are the choice for signage applications as they render color well and provide 5-10x the lifespan of other lighting technologies.
When choosing exterior LEDs for signage, reliability is essential. Choose a gooseneck or signage fixture that is rated for an extended lifespan, and one that is IP-rated for your application environment.
IP (ingress protection) ratings specify the fixture’s ability to withstand exposure to dust, dirt and water. The IP rating is expressed as a two-digit number, with the first number (from 0-6) describing its protection against solids (dust) and the second (from 0-9) describing its protection against water intrusion. Aim for signage fixtures with at least a listed IP65 or IP66 rating to ensure they will handle the elements without incident.

There is a Lot to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Durability, reliability, performance, controllability and appearance are all critical considerations when choosing exterior lights. How these factors are weighed and applied will depend on your outdoor application, and this can make the decision difficult.

If the selection process feels overwhelming, an experienced lighting company can provide an optimal lighting solution for your property and application.

The Importance of EPA Wind Ratings

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Jennifer Castillo

The EPA wind rating of a light fixture refers to the maximum wind speed the fixture can withstand before it is at risk of failure. This failure could be with the luminaire itself, or a failure with the fixture or the hardware connecting it to a light pole.

There is a lot to consider regarding wind, so when installing a new lighting system, the installation team must factor in each fixture’s EPA wind rating to ensure it will not pose a risk to people during stormy weather.

How are EPA Wind Ratings Determined for Lighting Fixtures?

Calculating a fixture’s EPA wind rating requires complex math and a lot of data. EPA is an acronym for effective projected area (EPA), referring to the fixture’s total surface area when you add up the surface area of all wind-exposed faces.

Here is an example: Imagine a fixture that is pyramid shaped. If you view the fixture from the side, it looks like a triangle. If you view the fixture from below, you will see the base of the pyramid is square. Both faces will have different surface areas individually, but because they are both exposed to the wind, they are both factored into a fixture’s EPA wind rating. It is like the old shape folding questions from your high school tests – how much total surface area does a 3D object have once you calculate that surface area for every face? Of course, lighting fixtures can be extremely complex geometrically, so the math may involve hundreds of individual faces.

That is the EPA part of the equation, but there are other factors that influence a fixture’s wind rating. The fixture’s drag coefficient is used with its EPA to determine wind ratings. A fixture’s drag coefficient is unique to the fixture and is partly dependent on its shape and material composition, as material density has a big impact on how that material responds to wind pressures.

Drag coefficients are derived from real-world operational data that may take years to completely refine. This is because they are based on complex fluid dynamics that change from one second to the next with prevailing wind conditions.

Fortunately, it is not necessary for property owners to understand the math behind EPA wind ratings. All property owners need to know is what a fixture’s EPA wind rating means and how it will guide a lighting project.

What Does a Lighting Fixture’s EPA Wind Rating Mean?

EPA wind ratings are listed as a single value that corresponds with the fixture’s maximum wind tolerance, expressed in miles per hour. For instance, if a fixture has an EPA wind rating of 100, it is not considered a failure risk until wind speeds reach 100 mph or higher.

Lighting installers consider a fixture’s EPA wind rating when selecting fixtures for exposed exterior applications like parking lot and stadium lighting applications.

Every part of the U.S. is part of one of several “wind regions,” ranging from 70 mph to 150 mph (or more, in a few isolated areas). These are expected maximum wind speed values, save extreme circumstances like a hurricane or tornado.

Each fixture’s EPA wind rating must be greater than the max wind speed in their wind region to be considered a safe installation option. Lighting installers ensure that the fixtures they use meet this specification, along with any hardware or other additions to the fixture that may influence its EPA wind rating.

When Do Lighting Installers Consider EPA Wind Ratings?

EPA wind ratings are obviously only important for exterior lighting applications where wind exposure is expected. Some common examples include:

Parking lot lighting systems
Stadium lighting systems
Park and public space lighting systems
Street lighting systems
Security lighting systems

Why Professional Lighting Installers Should Handle Your Exterior Lighting Project

If your new lights will be tested by intense wind pressures, it is important that an expert lighting crew select, position and install those fixtures. Here is what the professionals bring to the project:

An expanded selection of compatible fixtures – The lighting experts are accustomed to installing lights in outdoor settings where intense winds are expected. This experience means your lighting partner will know which fixtures to select for your project.
Smart installation practices to minimize wind impacts – Ultimately, the fixture’s EPA wind rating will determine whether it is appropriate for a particular job, experienced lighting companies can optimize a fixture’s wind resistance by pairing it with the right lighting poles and hardware. In short, the lighting experts can maximize your lighting’s wind safety.
Superior lighting results – The lighting experts will provide the best possible look, performance and efficiency, given the parameters of your project – including wind concerns. Lighting professionals use specialized in photometric design software to optimally select and arrange a new set of lights, so property owners end up with a wind-safe lighting system that will not compromise on performance or durability.

Lighting Experts Understand the Importance of EPA Wind Ratings and How to Apply Them

Exterior lighting fixtures are potential safety risks if they are not properly installed and secured which is why it is important to work with a reputable lighting expert who understands EPA wind ratings and the various zones in the U.S.

When property owners work with a reputable lighting company they can rest assured that their lighting team will pay attention to those EPA wind ratings and ensure all wind-related hazards are accounted for when setting up a lighting system.

The Advances in Parking Lot Lighting

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Jennifer Castillo

Parking lots have been a vital part of the American landscape for many decades, and parking lot lighting has improved greatly over the years. Some of the most recent advancements in parking lot lighting include:

LED parking lot lights
Fixture shielding for LED lights
Smart controls for parking lot lighting systems
Photometric analysis for parking lot lighting design

Together, these advances in parking lot lighting provide a wealth of benefits to property owners, including better efficiency, improved performance, enhanced security and clearer visibility.

1. LED Parking Lot Lighting Improves Energy Efficiency, Reliability, Performance and Cost Effectiveness

LED lighting is the most important advancement in lighting over the past few decades. It appears that commercial property owners agree, as LED lighting solutions have replaced metal halide, fluorescent and other options as the primary lighting technology in the country. This trend will likely continue until LED lights are found in nearly every commercial lighting application imaginable, including parking lots.

In parking lot applications, LED lighting offers the following advantages:

Better energy efficiency – From its introduction, LED lighting has developed a reputation for being the energy efficient lighting option. Specifically, LEDs can output greater than 50 lumens per watt at the system level. Metal halides struggle to reach 30 watts per lumen. Put simply, LED parking lot lights generate more light per unit of energy.LEDs are able to achieve this for two reasons. One, the illumination-generating engine inside of an LED is far more precise, as it utilizes semiconductor technology instead of a heated filament. Two, LED lights produce directional illumination that can be aimed at the target without bulky reflectors. That means more light reaches the target. Metal halide fixtures emit light omnidirectionally, so much of it is wasted and often interferes with dark sky initiatives.
Extended lifespan and reduced maintenance – LED lighting products are the longest-lived lighting technology available. Whereas a metal halide will only provide around 10,000 hours of illumination before replacement is necessary, LEDs provide 50,000 hours (or more) of reliable, low-maintenance illumination. Newer high-performance LEDs can last even longer – up to 100,000 hours in some instances.A longer-lasting light provides longer-lasting value, which reduces replacement and maintenance costs.
Improved lighting performance and visibility – The initial challenge for LED lights was overcoming the performance advantage that other lighting technologies had over LEDs. That’s changed greatly in recent years and LED lighting systems now offer comparable or superior performance to metal halides and others. LED lighting solutions emit illumination evenly across the targeted surface, with minimal hotspots and shadows that could interfere with visibility.LEDs are also available in high-CRI models that can accurately render color, improving visibility at a distance and, by extension, safety for pedestrians and motorists.
Better controllability – As a product of modern engineering, LED lighting is built for compatibility with a range of modern lighting controls. This includes dimmers, timers, photocells and occupancy controls. In parking lots, this control allows property owners to dictate exactly how their LED lights are used. When no one is in the parking lot, the LEDs can be dimmed down, and vice versa. When motorists or pedestrians do walk nearby, the LEDs can brighten up.LED lighting has more specialized uses as well, which may be useful for parking lots. For example, LEDs can be programmed to change color when a vehicle enters a parking space, which can help motorists identify an open space from a distance.

Among all the available lighting improvements on the market, switching from an older technology to LED lighting provides the greatest impact.

2. Fixture Shielding Minimizes Light Pollution and Glare on Parking Lots

Parking lot lighting fixtures must meet increasingly strict lighting ordinances, including ordinances limiting light pollution. The goal for lighting designers – and parking lot owners – is to minimize any illumination trespassing onto neighboring properties.

Fixture shielding is a proven way to do this, and LED fixtures are a good fit for shielding. LEDs can be paired with full cut-off fixtures that screen out any illumination aimed above the horizon, without loss of performance. Again, this is due to LED technology’s directional nature, as the light can be aimed downwards.

By pairing fixture shielding with LED lights, parking lot owners can guarantee minimal uplighting (a primary driver of light pollution), glare and light trespass, making it easier for property owners to stay within ordinance requirements.

3. Photometric Analysis Maximizes Lighting System Value and Performance

During photometric analysis, lighting designers use visualization software to model a client’s parking lot and simulate a variety of lighting layouts. This enables the property owner to see how the system will look and perform once installed and in use.

The primary advantage with photometric analysis is that it ensures the lighting solution meets the client’s needs in terms of performance, efficiency and compliance with local lighting ordinances. Photometric analysis can tell the lighting designer exactly how much light each part of the parking lot is receiving, down to the square foot and footcandle.

Photometric analysis software also simulates using lighting data direct from the manufacturer. In other words, there is no guesswork involved, as each fixture behaves in the software as it would in a real-world application. The result is optimal energy efficiency and performance before a single fixture is installed.

LED Lights are Leading the Way in Parking Lot Lighting Advances

Parking lot lighting has taken major steps forward in recent decades, with LED lighting foremost among those advancements. Compared to parking lot lights from just a few decades ago, modern parking lot fixtures perform better, require less energy to operate, are easier to control and produce minimal lighting pollution. If your business is ready to improve its parking lot lighting, work with a reputable lighting expert for a photometric analysis that will ensure the best results for your property.

How to Choose the Right Parking Lot Pole

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Jennifer Castillo

Parking lots require high quality night-time illumination to remain safe and functional at night. That starts with choosing the right parking lot lighting pole – one that will ensure even, adequate lighting coverage.

When choosing a lighting pole, the following factors need to be considered:

Height
Lighting distribution
Material and construction
Wind rating
Fixture compatibility

There is a variety of lighting poles available on the market, so it may not be clear which is the best fit for your parking lot. This is where an experienced lighting company can provide expert help. Professional lighting installers know what types of parking lot lighting poles make sense for a particular project and can recommend the right option for a client.

4 Things Lighting Experts Consider When Assessing A Project For The Right Lighting Poles:

1) Height and Lighting Distribution

The height of the lighting pole is a primary factor in light distribution. The taller the pole, the wider the spread of illumination, so you will typically see the tallest lighting poles in the largest parking lots. Most parking lot poles range between 12 and 30 feet in height, but taller poles may be required for expansive parking lots.

The goal is to establish an even spread of illumination throughout the parking lot, as this promotes better visibility through the space. It also prevents hotspots or shadows, which can adversely affect motorist or pedestrian vision.

Lighting experts establish even illumination using photometric modeling software, which allows lighting designers to visualize the client’s space and simulate a variety of lighting solutions. It uses manufacturer data to simulate how a particular lamp emits light – its direction, and its intensity. With a bit of experimentation, lighting designers can develop a flawless lighting solution before mounting a single fixture – including identifying the perfect pole height and placement for the property.

2) Pole Material and Construction

Lighting poles are available in a few material choices – steel, aluminum and fiberglass are the three most common. Here is a quick comparison:

Steel (including galvanized steel) – Steel offers superior impact strength and is a good choice for parking lots that see heavy or commercial traffic. However, unalloyed steel is susceptible to rust and corrosion, which is why manufacturers use galvanized steel in their lighting poles. Galvanized steel is a zinc-iron alloy that features improved corrosion resistance, giving it well-rounded durability. Steel is also less expensive than aluminum or fiberglass, so it offers an upfront cost advantage.
Aluminum – Aluminum is the lightest of the three materials and is not quite as impact-resistant as steel. It can’t bear as much weight, either, but it is naturally corrosion resistant, so aluminum light poles tend to last longer than steel poles. Aluminum lighting poles are a good fit for parking lots located near the ocean, where airborne salts pose a constant threat of corrosion.
Fiberglass – Fiberglass is the most expensive lighting pole material and doesn’t last quite as long as aluminum, but it offers comparable durability, is corrosion resistant and doesn’t conduct electricity. Fiberglass can be used interchangeably with aluminum in most parking lots.

Ultimately, your parking lot’s location and the traffic it receives are primary factors in choosing the right parking lot pole material.

3) The Lighting Pole’s EPA Wind Rating

Every lighting pole has an EPA (effective projected area) wind rating that specifies the maximum wind speed that the pole is expected to withstand before there is a high risk of failure. EPA wind ratings are based on the pole’s wind-exposed surface area, so size and shape must be reconsidered from every possible angle. This can make calculating wind ratings a challenge, but the difficult math has already been done for property owners.

The U.S. is divided into several wind zones, each one defined by the maximum wind speeds that wind-exposed structures should be built to handle. Houston, for example, sits in Zone III, an area where lighting poles must be fortified for winds between 110 to 165 mph. Property owners and their lighting installers should select a lighting pole that meets or exceeds this threshold, paying close attention to poles located near schools or medical facilities. The lighting expert will also help determine whether anchor-based or direct burial of the poles is the best option. Keep in mind that your lighting fixtures are also EPA-rated, so they will also need to be rated for your property’s region.

4) Poles that are Compatible with LED Fixtures

While most lighting poles are LED-capable, it is still worth verifying before installing anything. More parking lot owners are choosing LED lighting for their properties. There are several reasons for this, including improved energy efficiency, extended lamp lifespan (which means less maintenance and fewer lamp replacements), better lighting performance, and expanded controllability. In nearly every category, LED lights now surpass metal halides, high pressure sodium and fluorescent lamps in most areas – offering better night-time visibility, improved reliability, and greater installation flexibility.

For instance, LED lamps are now available in several light distribution options. Type III and IV LEDs are popular choices for parking lot applications because they throw illumination forward from the lamp, instead of pooling it around the base of the light pole. This gives installers a bit more flexibility in how they position lighting poles, and it may reduce the overall number of poles you’ll need.

The takeaway here is that it is bet to choose a set of poles that can accommodate LED lights.

A Reputable Lighting Expert Can Help Choose the Right Parking Lot Lighting Poles

Parking lots require adequate illumination through the night-time hours. To establish high-visibility, reliable lighting for their parking lots, property owners need the right lighting poles for the space. An experienced lighting installer can help their clients identify which poles will work best and use photometric modeling to position those poles for optimal lighting.

Advantages Of Using Fiberglass Lighting Poles

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Jennifer Castillo

Commercial lighting projects rely heavily on lighting poles to position the fixtures and ensure adequate light distribution. If a new commercial lighting project necessitates poles, you will have three primary choices in pole material – aluminum, steel or fiberglass.

The right material for your lighting poles will depend on the application and exact installation location. For many projects, fiberglass proves to be the best choice.

Three Advantages of Fiberglass in Lighting Poles

Fiberglass consists of a resin and glass fiber mix, offering an ideal combination of strength and flexibility, and here are three advantages of fiberglass lighting poles:

Durability and wind resistance – Fiberglass offers the best of the material characteristics of both resin and glass. Specifically, fiberglass can flex like resin while retaining the structural integrity of stiffened glass fibers. In effect, fiberglass poles offer excellent all-around durability that makes it a good fit in any application. This includes applications where large amounts of salt are suspended in the air – coastal regions, mainly. Fiberglass is inherently corrosion resistant and fiberglass lighting poles are finished with a protective coating that adds another level of durability. In this way, fiberglass is similar to aluminum in corrosion resistance.The modulus and flexural properties of fiberglass are somewhat akin to bamboo’s, which allows the material to give a little when subjected to high winds. Because this is plastic deformation, the fiberglass bends but does not break, returning to its original shape once the winds have stopped. Along coastal areas where winds can reach hurricane force, fiberglass poles are an effective counter to the extreme conditions.
With its excellent mix of impact, corrosion, and wind resistance, fiberglass requires minimal maintenance. It is standard practice to install these poles and expect 20 or so years of reliable performance before extensive maintenance or replacement is required.
Lightweight – Fiberglass is significantly lighter than steel or aluminum, while retaining an excellent weight-to-strength ratio. Its reduced weight means fiberglass is easier to handle and easier to install. With fewer equipment and labor resources needed to install fiberglass lighting poles, they are the least expensive option to install.
Insulated material – Fiberglass is an electrical insulator, unlike metal. In fact, it is used as a material in electrical isolators due to this property. In fiberglass lighting poles, insulator qualities make it a safer choice around electrical components, as it can reduce the likelihood of an unregulated electrical discharge.

If your lighting application demands maximum durability and cost efficiency, fiberglass is a frontline option.

The Different Types of Fiberglass Lighting Poles

Fiberglass poles are available in a full selection of designs and builds, appropriate for any lighting application. They include round and square poles, as well as tapered and straight light poles.

Since fiberglass lighting poles weigh less than metal poles, they can often be installed without an anchor base. An anchor base can be installed if desired, which can provide additional impact resistance and pole heights, but it is not necessary. In applications where direct burial is appropriate, fiberglass can save property owners a lot of money in installation costs.

The light weight of fiberglass is also an advantage in security lighting applications, as it can handle considerable weight. This means that there is plenty of room for surveillance cameras and motion sensors, so property owners have additional options when installing fiberglass poles for security lighting applications.

Pair Fiberglass Lighting Poles with Photometric Analysis for Optimal Results

Fiberglass lighting poles are a viable material option in the majority of applications. To extract maximum value from your new lighting solution, it is highly recommended for businesses to seek out photometric analysis first.

During photometric analysis, the lighting team diagrams the client’s project, going as far as developing a 3D model of the property. This is all done in specialized software.

Once the client’s space is modeled, various lighting fixtures can be placed inside the model and simulated using the fixture’s real-world technical specifications. These specifications are provided by manufacturers, so it is as close as you can get to seeing how the lights will look in action.

Part of this essential analysis is determining pole height. Fiberglass poles can be installed to nearly any height, so it is the application and setting that make the determination. Whether it is a pickleball court, a parking lot, an industrial complex, a beachfront boardwalk, or another application, photometric analysis will identify the most cost effective and best performing fiberglass pole arrangement.

Fiberglass Lighting Poles are a Proven and Effective Option

With the superior combination of durability, corrosion resistance, wind resistance, low weight nature and cost effectiveness, fiberglass lighting poles are a favored choice in all types of commercial lighting projects. No matter the scale or location of your project, chances are, fiberglass poles will provide the most cost-effective lighting solution.

What are the Different Types of LED Lights Available

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Jennifer Castillo

LED technology is taking over the lighting industry. There are many reasons why, including LED’s versatility. LED fixtures have been adapted for numerous applications, and this engineering evolution is still in progress.

In fact, there’s an LED light for nearly every use and setting. Residential, commercial, industrial, decorative, indoor, outdoor – LED bulbs can be used everywhere. Here, we’ll take a look at the wide world of LED fixtures, and the role they play in each application.

Outdoor LED Commercial Lighting: Parking Lot, Wall Pack, Security and Sign Fixtures

In exterior commercial applications, LEDs are prized for their energy efficiency and excellent brightness. LED light bulbs generate high quality output that renders color well and distributes lumens evenly. This makes the technology an excellent choice for the following applications:

Parking lot lighting – LED parking lot fixtures offer excellent visibility at night and at long ranges – perfect for improving safety. Another big advantage: LED lighting is directional, so it can be distributed and aimed with precision. In fact, these lamps are available in several distribution patterns, so lighting designers can optimize ground-level lumens without any light trespass.Parking lot LEDs are available in several color temperature options, including warm, cool, and neutral white.
Wall pack fixtures – Wall pack LEDs function like other wall pack fixtures in that they’re mounted to the exterior facade of buildings, parking garages and other structures. From their elevated position, wall packs can provide an extra layer of illumination for general visibility purposes. However, they excel in security lighting applications. In this role, wall pack fixtures can be tied to occupancy sensors (motion or IR) and primed to illuminate when someone walks nearby. That’s ideal for general, safety, and security applications, especially if surveillance cameras are programmed to engage automatically when the security lights flash on.
Sign fixtures – LED lighting is an effective display option, too, and can be used to illuminate signage at night. Gooseneck fixtures, for example, are highly adjustable and have an eye-catching bend that stands out. LED gooseneck fixtures are mounted close to the target sign and fitted with an LED that distributes illumination like a spotlight. The result is bright, sharp and attention-getting.

Outdoor Venue Lighting: Sportslighters and Decorative Pole Fixtures

LED technology can be scaled up for the largest venues in existence, including professional sports stadiums, rodeo arenas, tennis courts and municipal parks.

LEDs can be integrated into the oversized displays you’ll see at professional sports venues. Most of them are LED video walls, which offer superior resolution and color richness, compared to Jumbotrons. Some large-scale displays are made with direct view LED panels, like microtiles. These direct view panels can be scaled up to nearly any degree, can be shaped or curved, and are easier to maintain.

In smaller venues, like neighborhood tennis courts, skate parks and the like, pole-mounted LED lights are a reliable choice. Quality lighting poles are made from galvanized steel, coated to protect against corrosion and available in several shapes, sizes and heights. With their design versatility, LED light poles can be adapted for any area.

For lighting park paths and neighborhoods, decorative poles and post top fixtures are a popular choice. LED posts are shorter than standard lighting poles and are ornamentally designed.

Landscape Lighting: Bullets, Floods, Bollards and Path Fixtures

LED bulbs have also been adapted for landscaping applications. Effective in residential and commercial settings, LED landscape lighting is available in several fixture designs. They include:

Bullet fixtures – Bullet fixtures function like spotlights in a landscaping setting. They fire a tight beam of illumination that’s ideal for lighting trees and building facades. Bullets are also easy to conceal, especially when they’re mounted on the ground close to the intended target.
Flood fixtures – Floods are the opposite of bullets. They cast a wide, short-distance beam that fills an area with bright light. Floods are ideal for illuminating a backyard and extending the home’s functional space at night. They’re also effective for illuminating entire building facades and other points of interest outside, like a garden or fountain.
Path fixtures – Path fixtures sit low to the ground – usually under 18 inches – and softly illuminate any adjacent path. They’re helpful for visually pointing out where walkable paths and landscaping are located. LED path fixtures are reliable, can run on low voltage (for better safety), and can be attached to photocells or timers for maximum efficiency. They’re also available in a huge number of designs, so they can be aesthetically matched to any property.
Bollards – Bollard lighting is named after the bollards you’d see at a dock or in a parking lot. They look like simple posts, ranging in height from a couple of feet to eight feet high. They serve the same function as path lighting, but are more appropriate for larger properties, given their larger size and visual impact.

Indoor Commercial Lighting: Bays and Linear Lighting Fixtures

For interior commercial applications, LED’s efficiency, low maintenance, and controllable design make it a cost saver for facilities.

When department stores, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and industrial facilities upgrade their lighting, they often do so with LED bays or linear fixtures. Bay lighting is either mounted to the ceiling or suspended from it, and it provides high-output general illumination for large interior spaces. LEDs have been adapted for both high and low bays, so they can be mounted to ceilings ranging from 12 to 45 feet. LEDs have also been adapted for linear (rectangular) and UFO (circular) fixtures. UFOs are more common, but linear bays are highly effective for illuminating long, narrow spaces like warehouse aisles.

LED linear lighting fixtures are also popular options in commercial applications, including office and retail applications. Linear LEDs are frequently used to replace fluorescent tubes, where they can provide more efficient and better-quality lighting.

LED Lighting is Available in Nearly Every Form and Fixture

LED lighting offers a long list of advantages, including design flexibility. It can be incorporated into almost every lighting application possible and scaled up or down as needed for any setting.

LED lighting technology has come a long way in a short time. A decade ago, only the most plugged-in industry experts could have seen the rapid rise of LED fixtures. Now, the technology is poised to become the number one choice for every lighting application.

All About Light Pole Base Covers

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Jennifer Castillo

Many people don’t think about light pole base covers as they sit at the bottom and the light is at the top. It’s easy to miss the fact that the base cover is responsible for protecting the pole’s foundation, improving its appearance and enhancing safety.

We’re dedicating this FAQ to pole light base covers because there’s a lot to know about how pole lights work, and base covers are a big part of that.

Where Are You Likely to Find a Light Pole Base Cover?

Base covers wrap around light pole bases, so you’ll always find them at ground level around the bottom of the pole and right under the hand hole. They’re less than a foot high, so they’re compact in design.

A base cover can be used with just about any type of light pole, so the applications are endless. You’re likely to find them in a business parking lot, in a busy downtown district, or in an upscale neighborhood. In every instance, light pole base covers provide the same functions.

How Does a Base Cover Enhance Light Poles?

All pole light bases are subjected to unique hazards that the rest of the pole doesn’t have to deal with. For example, the base is what’s exposed to corrosive substances like dog urine and oil. When it rains, all of that water runs down the pole toward the base. If a stray shopping cart (or golf cart) runs into a light pole, it slams into the base.

Base covers shield the pole from this damage, protecting against water intrusion and providing a physical barrier for the fixture. The pole’s base is kept in place using long anchor bolts, and the base cover fits over these, providing them with protection.

Pole light base covers enhance the look of the light pole. Anchor bolts aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at, and the base cover ensures they don’t become an eyesore.

They are made in a variety of colors and designs so they can fit in with any design style.

What Kind of Lighting Poles are Bases Used With?

Lighting pole base covers are intended for use with poles that are anchor-based. Anchor-based poles are attached directly to the installation surface, like concrete. Long anchor bolts are driven into the ground through a base plate, and it’s this base plate that the cover protects.

The other primary type of lighting pole is a direct burial pole. These poles are extended into the ground and buried without a base or base cover, as there are no anchor bolts to hold the pole in place.

How is a Lamp Pole Base Installed?

Compared to installing the pole itself, bases are extremely easy to manage. They come in two primary designs – either clamshell or drop-over. A clamshell base opens up like a clam on a set of brackets. To install it, the base cover is opened up, wrapped around the base and then closed using a threaded lock.

A drop-over base cover is one solid piece that is fitted over the top of the pole and slipped down to the base. Before a drop-over base can be installed, any light fixture, lamps or bulbs must first be removed. You may need to remove the pole caps as well.

What Are Base Covers Made From?

Most base covers are made from steel or ABS plastic, though some are also made from cast aluminum. Typically, the base cover material is matched to the material the pole is made from.

Steel bases are durable and sturdy, but like all steel components they will eventually rust. You can expect to get at least 15 years from a steel base cover before corrosion could necessitate a replacement, though some base covers can last upwards of 30 years before replacement is required.

ABS plastic is the primary alternative to steel and it doesn’t rust, so it works well in humid environments. Plastic also weighs less than steel, so an ABS base cover is typically easier to install.

What is a Powder Coat?

A powder coat serves as a protective layer over the light pole base cover giving it additional resistance to corrosion and UV radiation. You’ll usually find them on steel base covers.

Powder coats also protect the paint on your base covers, so they maintain their color longer.

Can Pole Lighting Base Covers Fit Any Pole Size and Shape?

Just as lighting poles come in a large variety of sizes and dimensions, so do base covers. There’s a base for every type of pole, ranging up to 6 inches in width or diameter. Pole bases are also compatible with both round and square-shaped pole fixtures.

What Colors are Available for Light Pole Base Covers?

Base covers come in a wide variety of colors, just like the poles themselves. Some of the most popular colors include:

Black
White
Bronze
Gray

If you can’t find a color you prefer, some brands of spray paint can be used to quickly customize your bases.

Are There Base Covers for Available for Residential Lamp Posts?

Residential lamp posts are also fitted with base covers, and they also provide additional stability and durability. They are built to fit a range of lamp post sizes and shapes. They’re also designed to match the classic lamp post aesthetic, so the lamp looks like one single piece.

Who Can Help Source the Best Light Pole Base Covers?

LED Spot offers a comprehensive selection of base covers and other lighting products including LED fixtures and lamps. If your pole lighting project is in the planning stage or already underway, our team can support you with everything needed to see that project to completion.