ANSI C136.

20-2008


American National Standard

for Roadway and Area Lighting
Equipment
Fiber-Reinforced Composite
(FRC) Lighting Poles






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ANSI C136.20-2008





American National Standard for
Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment


Fiber-Reinforced Composite (FRC) Lighting Poles





















Secretariat
National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Approved August 1, 2008
American National Standards Institute, Inc.

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NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons
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ANSI C136.20-2008
American
National
Standard
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Published by

National Electrical Manufacturers Association
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Copyright 2008 National Electrical Manufacturers Association
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Printed in the United States of America.
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iii

Contents

Notice and Disclaimer.......................................................................................................................ii
1 Scope............................................................................................................................................... 1
2 References....................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Definitions ........................................................................................................................................ 1
4 General ............................................................................................................................................ 2
5 Shafts............................................................................................................................................... 3
6 Bolt circles........................................................................................................................................ 4
7 Luminaire support arms ................................................................................................................... 4
8 Wiring and wiring access ................................................................................................................. 4
9 Identification..................................................................................................................................... 5
10 Performance..................................................................................................................................... 6
11 Breakaway supports ........................................................................................................................ 6
12 Pole deflection measurements......................................................................................................... 7

Table
Standard ground line distances ....................................................................................................... 3
Figures
Figures 1a, 1b, 1c ............................................................................................................................ 8
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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI C136.20-2008


FOR ROADWAY AND AREA LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE (FRC) LIGHTING POLES


1 Scope

This standard applies to fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) lighting poles used for roadway and area
lighting. This standard includes nomenclature, dimensional data, performance criteria, and some
interchangeability features for standard poles as well as those that must meet breakaway requirements
for poles as described in Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires,
and Traffic Signals, AASHTO LTS.


2 References

2.1 Normative references
This standard incorporates by undated reference provisions from other publications. These normative
references are cited at the appropriate places in the text, and the publications are listed below. For
undated references, the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including amendments).

AASHTO LTS, Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic
Signals

ANSI C136.3, American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting EquipmentLuminaire
Attachments

ANSI C136.13, American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting EquipmentMetal Brackets
of Wood Poles Used in Roadway Lighting

ANSI C136.21, American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting EquipmentVertical Tenons
Used with Post Top-Mounted Luminaires

ASTM G154, Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic
Materials

2.2 Informative references
This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with the following publications. The latest edition of
the publication applies (including amendments).

ASTM A153, Specifications for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware

ASTM D4923, Standard Specification for Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (Composite) Poles


3 Definitions

anchor base: A feature attached to the bottom end of a pole designed to be mounted on an
accommodating platform.

anti-rotational device: A device attached to the pole below ground level to insure the pole does not twist
after installed and in service.

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ANSI C136.20-2008

arm: A structural member, approximately perpendicular to a pole, which supports a luminaire.

bolt circle: The diameter of a circle that will intersect the centerline of the anchor bolts that are spaced
equal distance to each other.

direct burial: A term used to refer to a pole designed to be supported by surrounding earth or other
material.

effective projected area (EPA): Maximum projected area of an object multiplied by a drag coefficient (C
d
)
for the specific shape of the object.

fiber reinforced composite (FRC): A thermosetting resinous matrix with reinforcements of glass, carbon,
or other fiber reinforcements.

handhole: A covered opening in the pole, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the pole and
located above ground level, that provides access to internal wiring and splices.

lighting pole: An assembly intended for supporting luminaires.

luminaire: A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to
distribute the light, to position and protect the lamp(s), and to connect the lamp(s) to the power supply.

luminaire mounting height: The vertical distance between ground level and the center of the attachment
point in a post top or arm-mounted luminaire.

shaft: The vertical portion of the pole before installing luminaire or attachment of fittings and cutting access
holes.

slip fitter: A cylindrical receptacle in the base of a luminaire that engages a pole top tenon, or the end of an
arm.

tenon: A metal sleeve, cylinder, or other device permanently secured to, or embedded in the top of the pole,
or the arm that inserts into the base (or slip fitter) of a luminaire.

wire entry hole: An opening in a pole, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the pole, located
below ground level, which provides passage of below ground service wiring into pole cavity.


4 General

4.1 Pole strength
In order that the pole manufacturer may ensure the necessary pole strength for a specific application, the
user should provide the following information:

a) Type of pole mounting anchor base or direct embedment. If anchor base foundation exists, specify
bolt circle, bolt diameter, bolt projection and bolt pattern;
b) The mounting height;
c) Support arms, length, weight, effective projected area (EPA), attachment detail, diameter of tenon (1-
1/4in. or 2in. National Pipe Size (NPS)), and position on pole;
d) The weight and EPA of the luminaires (banners ,flags, or other attachments that add to the EPA and
weight load on the pole);
e) Maximum steady wind velocity at location where pole will be installed. If velocity is unknown, see
AASHTO LTS.
f) Any additional load that may be applied to the pole;
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ANSI C136.20-2008
g) Applicable local or states codes, if different from national codes;
h) The number, size, and location of any access openings;
i) Tenon diameter and length for post-top installations;
j) The color and finish of the pole; and
k) Other custom features.

4.2 Pole length

The pole manufacturer shall determine the length of the pole that will achieve the users required
mounting height above grade, unless the user specifies otherwise. The shaft length shall be provided with
a tolerance of 51 mm ( 2 in.).


5 Shafts

5.1 Composition of shafts
Pole shafts shall be a composite of thermosetting resin reinforced with glass or other fibers of such quantity
and orientation as to meet or exceed the performance requirements set forth in Section 10.

5.1.1

The resin shall be thermosetting resin containing UV inhibitor(s) and pigment throughout.

5.2 Exterior surface of shafts
The exterior surface may be finished as specified but shall be free of any exposed surface fibers. The shaft
shall be covered with a minimum 1.5 mil dry film thickness (DFT) urethane coating, or equivalent, that resists
ultraviolet degradation as specified in Clause 9.1.

5.2.1

The shaft surface shall withstand normal conditions of handling, installation and transportation.

5.3 Direct-burial poles
5.3.1

Poles can be provided with an anti-rotational feature when specified by the user.

5.3.2

Poles shall be designed for minimum embedment depths as shown in Table 1, unless specified by the user.


Table 1 Standard ground line distances

Overall length of pole in
meters (ft)
Ground line distance from
butt in meters (ft)
Up to 5.5 (18) 0.91 (3)
5.6 (18.1) up to 7.6 (25) 1.22 (4)
7.7 (25.1) up to 12.2 (40) 1.52 (5)
12.3 (40.1) up to 15.2 (50) 1.83 (6)
15.3 (50.1) up to 16.8 (55) 2.13 (7)
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5.4 Anchor base poles
5.4.1

Poles designed to be mechanically fastened to a foundation shall be provided with an anchor base plate.
The total system shall be capable of withstanding the combined forces described in Clause 9.2.1.

5.4.2

The anchor base plate shall have four radial slots, or, oversize round holes (if acceptable to user), to
accommodate anchor bolts on the bolt circle diameter.

5.5 Poles for post-top luminaires.
These poles shall be provided with a permanently affixed tenon in accordance with ANSI C136.3 or ANSI
C136.21.

5.6 Poles for support-arm application.

These poles shall be provided with a removable cap to close the top of the shaft. The cap shall remain in
place when subjected to maximum wind loads for which the pole is designed.


6 Bolt circles

Bolt circles shall be based on the required loading, or as specified by the user.


7 Luminaire support arms

The physical requirements shall conform to ANSI C136.13, ANSI C136.21, or as otherwise specified by
the user.


8 Wiring and wiring access

8.1 Wiring
8.1.1

Poles shall permit complete internal wiring from an underground source.

8.1.2

The pole shaft shall have internal clearance, or a raceway free of obstruction and sharp edges, of not less
than 38.1 mm (1.5 in.) in diameter for the entire length. The design shall permit installation of supply
conductors without damage.

8.2 Wiring access
8.2.1

The edges of wire entrance holes and hand holes shall be smooth and free from burrs.

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8.2.2

For embedded poles, a wire entrance hole with a minimum diameter of 35 mm (1.375 in.) shall be located
610 mm (24 in.) below the ground line in line with the hand hole, or as specified by the user.

8.2.3

When specified by the user, poles shall have a covered hand hole of adequate size to provide access to
wiring, and not reduce the strength of the poles to levels below design loads calculated per Clause
10.2.1. Hand holes shall be a minimum of 63.50 mm (2.5 in.) x 101.6 mm (4 in.), unless otherwise
specified by the user.

8.2.4

The vertical location of hand holes shall be centered 457.20 mm (18 in.) above the ground line, unless
otherwise specified by the user.

8.2.5

The radial location of hand holes shall be as follows:
a) Poles with support arms: 90 clockwise from the centerline of the support arm as viewed from above,
unless otherwise specified by the user.
b) Poles with post-top luminaires: As specified by the user.

8.2.6

The surface dimensions of covers for the hand holes shall exceed the dimensions of the hand holes by a
minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.), or be of sufficient design to prevent the entry of foreign objects larger than
1.0 mm (0.04 in.).

8.2.7

The hand hole cover shall be secured with sufficient rigidity to tightly lock the hand hole cover onto the
pole.


9 Identification

Poles shall be provided with a stainless steel or aluminum identification tag. The tag shall be located
within 304 mm (11.97 in.) of the tip (top) of the shaft, unless otherwise specified by the user. Minimum
information, unless otherwise specified by the user, shall be:

a) Manufacturers name;
b) Manufacturers catalog number; and
c) Date of manufacture, month, and year.


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10 Performance

10.1 General
The surface of the pole shall resist degradation from the environment in which the pole is installed. The
pole shall be tested per ASTM G154 for a minimum of 2500 hours and meet conditions as mutually
agreed upon with user.

10.2 Physical
10.2.1

The pole, with specified luminaire, arms, and other attachments installed, shall have a minimum bending
strength of at least 2 times the maximum bending moment induced by maximum windage conditions as
calculated per AASHTO LTS. When a hand hole is specified, the pole shall attain this load with the hand
hole in compression and the cover removed.

10.2.2

The pole shall not exceed a maximum deflection of 10 percent of the length of the pole above the grade
line when subjected to the maximum loading as calculated in Clause 10.2.1, and as tested in accordance
with test methods listed in Section 12.

10.2.2.1

Poles designed to support luminaires on arms should have a maximum static deflection (due to weight of
arm and luminaire only) of 1% of the pole height above ground line. The maximum slope deviation of the
deflection curve shall not exceed 8.89 mm (0.35 in.) as well.

10.2.2.2

Poles shall not have visible cracks once installed and loaded per requirements in Clause 10.2.

10.2.3

The pole shall have no more than 1 % permanent deflection for the loading value as calculated in Clause
10.2.1. This loading shall be applied for 5 minutes at 25
o
C (77
o
F) 1.5
o
C (4
o
F), with measurement
being taken 5 minutes after unloading.

10.2.4

The methods of calculating the forces and bending moment acting on the pole systems shall be as
described in AASHTO LTS.


11 Breakaway supports

Breakaway supports, when specified by the user, shall be designed to carry loads as provided in Section
10.2.1. Dynamic performance under automobile impact shall also be considered. Breakaway approval
from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) can be accomplished through approved testing by an
independent testing facility approved by the FHWA. The results shall meet or exceed the requirements
described in AASHTO LTS.



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12 Pole deflection measurements

12.1 General
The test set-up is illustrated in Figure 1c. There are three methods of measuring deflection on a loaded
pole. These are illustrated on Figure 1a and 1b. All three methods can be used simultaneously to allow
comparison of independent sets of data.

12.2 Method I
As shown in Figure 1a, a cord shall be taped to the base of the pole-at the ground line and the butt only.
In the no-load state, the cord is lined up straight with the centerline of the pole. As the pole is loaded, the
base moves and the cord shall be movedat the top of the poleto keep it straight with the base
portion. True deflection of the pole shall be directly measured from the cord to the pole at the load point.
This method automatically compensates for base movement.

12.3 Method II
This method uses fixed reference points for measuring movement of the pole as the pole is loaded. As
shown in Figure 1b, the points, physically, are three posts arranged vertically on the floor adjacent to the
pole. They should not be connected to any load-bearing member of the test fixture. Their lateral distance
from the pole is of no importance, but they should not be moved during any one test, because their
position relative to the length of the pole is important.
The three posts shall be located, as follows:
a) Butt
b) Ground linevaries with length of the pole
c) Load pointusually 305 mm (12 in.) from the top of the pole

Measurements are made from these posts to the centerline of the pole at each load level. There is
movement of the pole base (ground line to butt) during loading. This movement shall be taken into
account when determining the load/deflection characteristics of the pole.
Merely subtracting the initial from the final measurement at post 3 (load point) gives a so-called
apparent deflectionwith no allowance for the movement of the base of the pole. This apparent
deflection is too high a value and would not be the same on any two identical poles.
The true deflection can be determined by taking a ratio of the base movement (ground line positive
movement added to the butt movement in the negative direction) over the full length of the pole, and
subtracting this from the apparent deflection.

12.4 Method III
A cord shall be pulled over the centerline of the entire pole when pole is unloaded. As pole is loaded, any
movement at the groundline or butt should be recorded and deflections corrected to reflect the
movement. The cord should not touch the pole at any time in order for movement readings to be
accurately recorded. Pole deflections should be measured from the cord to pole centerline.

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Figures 1a, 1b, 1c


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