- Pole height follows from road width and the lighting design, not the other way round.
- Octagonal and conical tapered poles give the best strength for their weight.
- Hot-dip galvanizing is the most reliable protection for poles in Pakistan’s climate.
Street light poles look simple, but a pole that leans, rusts at the base or vibrates in the wind is a safety risk and a maintenance cost. Specifying the right pole for roads, housing societies, industrial estates and fuel station forecourts starts with a few clear decisions.
Height and spacing
A lighting designer chooses mounting height, spacing and luminaire output together to achieve the required light level and uniformity on the road. Wider roads and higher speeds generally need taller poles. Typical ranges are lower poles for streets and parking areas, medium heights for main roads, and high-mast poles with multiple fittings for interchanges, toll plazas and large yards.
Pole shapes
| Shape | Notes |
|---|---|
| Octagonal tapered | Folded from plate; strong, economical, widely used. |
| Conical (round tapered) | Clean look for city roads and campuses. |
| Stepped tubular | Simple, made from pipe sections. |
| Decorative | Parks, plazas and boulevards; cast or fabricated details. |
Arms and brackets
Single, double or multiple arms set the outreach of the fitting over the road. Arm length and angle come from the lighting design, and the pole must be checked for the added weight and wind area of the luminaires.
Base plates and foundations
- Base plate thickness and stiffeners sized for the bending at ground level.
- Anchor bolt cages cast accurately into the foundation with a template.
- Grout under the base plate and a raised plinth so water does not sit at the pole base.
- A lockable hand hole with an earthing point and cable entry.
Corrosion protection
Hot-dip galvanizing coats the pole inside and out, which painting cannot do. It is the standard choice for outdoor steel poles. In coastal or industrial areas, a paint coat over galvanizing (a duplex system) adds further life and allows colour matching. Read more in our guide to protecting steel from corrosion.
What to send for a quotation
- Number of poles and mounting heights
- Arm type, length and number of fittings per pole
- Luminaire weight and dimensions
- Site location and exposure to wind
- Finish: galvanized only or galvanized and painted
Apex Engineers fabricates street light poles and lighting structures for roads, industrial estates and fuel stations. Request a quote with your pole schedule.
Written by the Apex Engineers team
Engineers and fabricators at Apex Engineers (Pvt.) Limited, building fuel stations, storage tanks, steel structures, towers and road safety systems from our Lahore manufacturing facility since 1992. About us
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