1 Scope
NOTE This specification covers the performance, materials, construction, controls, and installation of exterior and site lighting equipment, including the luminaires, the poles and supports that carry them, the foundations and anchorage that resist their loads, and the controls that turn them on and off. (1.1)
NOTE Exterior lighting differs from interior lighting in that it operates in an uncontrolled environment of weather, temperature extremes, moisture, and corrosion; it is exposed to the public and therefore to vandalism, vehicle impact, and structural loading from wind and ice; and it emits light into the night sky and onto adjacent property, where it is increasingly regulated for energy use, glare, and light pollution. (1.2)
NOTE A luminaire that performs well indoors may fail quickly outdoors, and a pole that is adequate as a mounting bracket may collapse as a wind-loaded cantilever. (1.3)
1.4Equipment furnished under this standard shall be listed and labeled for the wet or damp location in which it is installed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in accordance with UL 1598.
1.5The LED components within each luminaire shall comply with UL 8750.
1.6The Contractor shall treat the luminaire, the pole, the foundation, and the control system as one coordinated system rather than as independently procured parts.
NOTE The photometric distribution selected for the luminaire depends on the mounting height set by the pole, the pole loading depends on the luminaire weight and projected area, and the foundation depends on the pole reactions. (1.7)
NOTE This standard is organized from the general to the specific: performance and photometric requirements first, then light-pollution control, then the electrical and driver requirements, then the structural pole, foundation, and anchorage requirements, then controls, surge protection, and finishes, and finally testing, installation, and closeout. (1.8)
2 Referenced Standards
2.1Equipment, materials, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of the following standards and codes.
| Standard |
Title |
| UL 1598 |
Luminaires |
| UL 1598C |
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Retrofit Luminaire Conversion Kits |
| UL 8750 |
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Equipment for Use in Lighting Products |
| UL 1449 |
Surge Protective Devices |
| NFPA 70 |
National Electrical Code (Articles 410 — Luminaires; 225 — Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders) |
| ANSI/IES RP-8 |
Recommended Practice for Design and Maintenance of Roadway and Parking Facility Lighting |
| ANSI/IES RP-20 |
Lighting for Parking Facilities |
| ANSI/IES RP-33 |
Lighting for Exterior Environments |
| ANSI/IES TM-15 |
Luminaire Classification System for Outdoor Luminaires (Backlight, Uplight, and Glare ratings) |
| ANSI/IES LM-79 |
Optical and Electrical Measurements of Solid-State Lighting Products |
| ANSI/IES LM-80 |
Measuring Luminous Flux and Color Maintenance of LED Packages, Arrays, and Modules |
| ANSI/IES TM-21 |
Projecting Long-Term Luminous, Photon, and Radiant Flux Maintenance of LED Light Sources |
| ANSI/IES TM-30 |
Method for Evaluating Light Source Color Rendition |
| IDA/IES Model Lighting Ordinance |
Joint IDA-IES Model Lighting Ordinance |
| ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 |
Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings |
| IECC |
International Energy Conservation Code (exterior lighting power and controls) |
| AASHTO LTS-6 |
Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals |
| ASCE 7 |
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures |
| ANSI C136.3 |
Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment — Luminaire Attachments |
| ANSI C136.10 |
Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment — Locking-Type Photocontrol Devices and Mating Receptacles |
| ANSI C136.25 |
Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment — Ingress Protection for Luminaire Enclosures and Devices |
| ANSI C136.31 |
Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment — Luminaire Vibration |
| ANSI C136.41 |
Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment — Dimming Control Between an External Locking-Type Photocontrol and Ballast or Driver |
| IEEE C62.41.2 |
Recommended Practice on Characterization of Surges in Low-Voltage (1000V and Less) AC Power Circuits |
| IEEE C62.45 |
Recommended Practice on Surge Testing for Equipment Connected to Low-Voltage AC Power Circuits |
| ASTM B26 |
Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings |
| ASTM B221 |
Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes |
| ASTM A123 |
Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products |
| AAMA 2604 / 2605 |
Voluntary Specification for High-Performance Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels |
2.2Where the contract documents, the adopted building or energy code, or a referenced standard conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
3.1.1Contractor shall submit the following for the Engineer's review prior to procurement and fabrication:
- Product data for each luminaire type, including LED light engine, driver, optical assembly, housing, gaskets, and mounting hardware
- Photometric test reports per ANSI/IES LM-79 from an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, including the IES-format photometric data file for each distribution offered
- LED lumen-maintenance data per ANSI/IES LM-80 with the TM-21 projected maintenance for the proposed drive current and case temperature
- TM-15 Backlight-Uplight-Glare (BUG) rating for each luminaire and distribution
- Pole structural calculations, signed and sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the project jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the wind, ice, and fatigue loading of AASHTO LTS-6 or ASCE 7 as applicable, including the effective projected area of all attached luminaires and brackets
- Foundation design and anchor-bolt details, signed and sealed, coordinated with the geotechnical report
- Control system narrative, wiring diagrams, and the proposed scheduling and dimming strategy
- Surge protective device data including the rating and the IEEE C62.41.2 location category for which it is selected
- Finish system data including coating type, color, and dry-film thickness
☐ Luminaire product data
☐ LM-79 photometric reports and IES files
☐ LM-80 / TM-21 lumen-maintenance data
☐ TM-15 BUG ratings
☐ Pole structural calculations (signed and sealed)
☐ Foundation and anchorage design (signed and sealed)
☐ Control system narrative and wiring diagrams
☐ Surge protective device data
☐ Finish system data
3.1.2Fabrication of poles and procurement of luminaires shall not proceed until the corresponding submittals are reviewed and returned, because pole structural design and luminaire photometrics are interdependent and a change to either may invalidate the other.
3.2 Closeout Submittals
3.2.1Contractor shall provide the following at substantial completion before the lighting system is accepted:
- Operation and maintenance data for luminaires, drivers, and the control system, including driver programming and dimming setpoints
- As-built site plan showing installed pole locations, mounting heights, circuiting, and control zones
- Field test and aiming reports
- Warranty documentation for luminaires, drivers, poles, and finishes
☐ Operation and maintenance data (luminaires, drivers, controls)
☐ As-built site plan (pole locations, heights, circuiting, zones)
☐ Field test and aiming reports
☐ Warranty documentation (luminaires, drivers, poles, finishes)
4 Quality Assurance
4.1 Luminaire Listing and Labeling
4.1.1Every luminaire shall be listed and labeled to UL 1598 by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
4.1.2Each luminaire shall be marked for the location in which it is installed — wet location for luminaires exposed to rain and for in-grade or near-grade luminaires, and damp location for luminaires in covered but unconditioned locations such as parking-structure soffits.
4.1.3A luminaire listed only for dry locations shall not be installed outdoors.
NOTE The listing confirms that the gasketing, drainage, and electrical spacing are suitable for the weather the luminaire will see. (4.1.4)
4.2 LED Component Compliance
4.2.1LED drivers, modules, and arrays within each luminaire shall comply with UL 8750.
NOTE The driver is the most failure-prone component of an LED luminaire, and UL 8750 compliance establishes the construction and protection requirements that allow the driver to be relied upon for the service life claimed. (4.2.2)
4.3 Photometric Test Laboratory
4.3.1Photometric testing submitted in support of luminaire selection shall be performed by a laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 with a scope that includes goniophotometer testing to ANSI/IES LM-79.
4.3.2Manufacturer-published lumen and distribution data that is not traceable to an accredited LM-79 test shall not be accepted as the basis for selection.
4.4 Structural Design Qualification
4.4.1Pole and foundation structural calculations shall be prepared and sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the jurisdiction of the project.
4.4.2A pole is a fatigue-loaded cantilever subject to wind-induced vibration; selecting a pole from a catalog by mounting height alone, without confirming it against the actual luminaire effective projected area and the site wind and ice loads, is the most common and most consequential error in exterior lighting and shall not be permitted.
5 Environmental and Service Conditions
5.1The Engineer shall establish the design wind speed, ice load, ambient temperature range, and corrosion exposure.
5.2The Contractor shall report any field condition that differs materially from the design basis.
5.3 Ambient Temperature Range
-20°C to 40°C (temperate)
-40°C to 40°C (cold climate)
-20°C to 50°C (hot climate)
-40°C to 50°C (extreme range)
5.3.1Luminaires shall be rated for the full ambient temperature range at the site.
NOTE LED luminaire output, color, and driver life are temperature dependent, and the published lumen-maintenance projection is valid only at or below the case temperature at which it was established. (5.3.2)
5.4 Corrosion Exposure
C2 - Low (rural, dry, low pollution)
C3 - Medium (urban, suburban, moderate humidity)
C4 - High (industrial, de-iced roadway, near-coastal)
C5 - Very High (marine, coastal salt spray, heavy industrial)
5.4.1Coastal and roadway-salt environments classified C4 or C5 shall use stainless or hot-dip galvanized hardware, enhanced coatings, and careful avoidance of dissimilar-metal couples.
NOTE Corrosion exposure drives the selection of pole material, anchor-bolt protection, hardware grade, and finish system; an installation that is adequate in a C2 environment will streak, pit, and fail prematurely in a C5 environment. (5.4.2)
5.5 Wind, Ice, and Seismic Loading
5.5.1Pole supports shall be designed for the site design wind speed, the site ice load, and, where applicable, seismic loading.
5.5.3The fatigue provisions of AASHTO LTS-6 shall be applied to area and roadway poles.
NOTE Wind-induced vibration and fatigue, not static wind pressure alone, govern many tall-pole failures. (5.5.4)
6.1The purpose of an exterior luminaire is to deliver the right amount of light, in the right distribution, to the surface that must be lit — and as little as possible everywhere else.
NOTE The performance requirements below are stated as outcomes so that any compliant manufacturer's product can be selected. (6.2)
6.3 Luminaire Type
Area / site (pole-mounted)
Roadway (pole-mounted, arm)
Parking structure (low-profile, ceiling or pendant)
Floodlight (aimed)
Wall-pack (building-mounted)
Bollard (post-top, low-level)
Post-top (decorative pole-mounted)
NOTE The luminaire type establishes the family of distributions, mounting methods, and structural loads that apply; area and roadway luminaires are pole-mounted and lay light across horizontal surfaces from height, floodlights are aimed and are the most prone to glare and trespass when poorly controlled, wall-packs are convenient but historically the worst offenders for light trespass and uplight, and bollards light paths at low level and are subject to vandalism and vehicle impact. (6.3.1)
6.4 Light Distribution Type
Type I (narrow, two-way along a path)
Type II (roadway side, narrow areas)
Type III (general area and parking)
Type IV (forward throw, perimeter and wall-mount)
Type V (symmetric, square, open areas and intersections)
6.4.1The IES distribution type, classified per ANSI/IES TM-15, shall be selected to spread light correctly relative to the pole so that fewer poles cover an area uniformly without spilling light off-site; Type III is the workhorse for parking and general area lighting along a perimeter, Type V is used for poles in the center of open areas, and Type II and Type IV control light toward property lines.
Parking lot, basic (0.2 fc min)
Parking lot, enhanced security (0.5 fc min)
Parking structure (1 fc min, 5 fc transition zones)
Pedestrian walkway (0.5 fc avg)
Roadway, local (per RP-8 by classification)
Building entrance / canopy (5 fc avg)
6.5.1Illuminance targets and uniformity ratios shall follow ANSI/IES RP-8 for roadways, ANSI/IES RP-20 for parking facilities, and ANSI/IES RP-33 for general exterior environments.
NOTE The design intent is to meet the recommended minimum and uniformity, not to maximize light; over-lighting wastes energy, violates energy-code power allowances, and worsens glare and light pollution. (6.5.3)
6.6 Maintained Light Output and Lumen Maintenance
L70 at 50,000 hours
L70 at 75,000 hours
L70 at 100,000 hours
6.6.1Lumen maintenance shall be substantiated by ANSI/IES LM-80 testing of the LED source and a TM-21 projection at the luminaire's actual in-service drive current and case temperature, not at a lower laboratory test current that flatters the projection.
6.6.2The design illuminance shall account for lumen depreciation through a light-loss factor so that the surface still meets the target at end of life.
NOTE L70 is the operating time at which the luminaire is projected to retain 70 percent of its initial output. (6.6.3)
○ 2700 K (warm)
○ 3000 K (warm-neutral, dark-sky preferred)
○ 4000 K (neutral)
6.7.1A CCT of 3000 K or lower is preferred for exterior lighting and is the maximum permitted by the DarkSky Approved program and by many jurisdictions.
6.7.24000 K may be selected where a jurisdiction or owner standard requires it, but it should not be the default.
6.7.3Where a jurisdiction caps CCT, that cap governs.
NOTE Shorter-wavelength (bluer, higher-CCT) light scatters more in the atmosphere, contributes disproportionately to skyglow, and has greater ecological impact on wildlife. (6.7.4)
6.8 Color Rendering
70 CRI minimum
80 CRI minimum
90 CRI minimum
6.8.1A minimum CRI of 70 is adequate for most roadway and parking applications where color discrimination is not critical.
6.8.2A CRI of 80 or higher should be specified where color recognition matters, such as building entrances, pedestrian areas, and security camera coverage.
6.8.3Color rendition may additionally be evaluated by the ANSI/IES TM-30 fidelity and gamut indices where the owner has a more demanding appearance requirement.
7 Light Pollution, BUG Rating, and Dark-Sky Control
NOTE Exterior lighting is the source of light trespass onto adjacent property, skyglow that erases the night sky, and glare that reduces rather than improves visibility. (7.1)
NOTE Controlling these is both an environmental obligation and, increasingly, a code and ordinance requirement. (7.2)
NOTE The Backlight-Uplight-Glare (BUG) system of ANSI/IES TM-15 quantifies a luminaire's contribution to each. (7.3)
7.4 Uplight Limit
U0 (no uplight — full cutoff, dark-sky)
U1
U2
7.4.1U0 shall be the default for all luminaires except where decorative post-top luminaires with a specified low uplight are explicitly approved.
NOTE A U0 rating means the luminaire emits no light at or above the horizontal and is the requirement for dark-sky compliance and for the IDA-IES Model Lighting Ordinance; uplight is the single largest controllable contributor to skyglow and is almost never useful. (7.4.2)
7.5 Backlight Limit
7.5.1The backlight rating shall be coordinated with the luminaire's setback from the property line; luminaires near a property line shall carry a lower backlight rating or use a backlight shield.
7.6 Glare Limit
7.6.1Lower glare ratings shall be required for pedestrian areas and where luminaires are viewed against a dark background.
NOTE The glare rating limits high-angle luminance that causes discomfort and disability glare. (7.6.2)
7.7 Lighting Zone
LZ0 - No ambient lighting (parks, wilderness)
LZ1 - Low (rural, residential)
LZ2 - Moderate (suburban commercial)
LZ3 - Moderately high (urban commercial)
LZ4 - High (major metropolitan)
7.7.1The lighting zone shall be taken from the adopted local ordinance where one exists; where none exists, the zone reflects the character of the surroundings and governs the BUG limits selected above.
NOTE The lighting zone of the IDA-IES Model Lighting Ordinance sets the allowable BUG ratings, total site lumens, and curfew provisions. (7.7.2)
7.8 House-Side Shielding
○ Not required
○ Provided at luminaires adjacent to property lines and residences
7.8.1Where a luminaire is close to a property line, a residence, or a protected view, a factory house-side shield shall be provided to block backlight without re-aiming the luminaire.
7.8.2Field-fabricated shields shall not be used because they alter the listed thermal and photometric performance.
8 Electrical and Drivers
8.1 System Voltage
120 V
208 V
240 V
277 V
347 V
480 V
Multi-volt (120-277 V universal)
8.1.1A fixed voltage shall be selected where the site distribution voltage is 347 V or 480 V or where a specific voltage is required for circuit balance.
8.1.2Outside branch circuits and feeders serving the lighting shall comply with NFPA 70 Article 225.
NOTE Universal-input drivers operating across 120-277 V simplify procurement and stocking and are the practical default for most projects. (8.1.3)
8.2 LED Driver
8.2.1The LED driver shall comply with UL 8750 and shall be a constant-current electronic driver matched to the LED module.
8.2.2The driver shall be field-replaceable without replacing the entire luminaire or removing it from the pole where the luminaire is mounted at a height that permits in-place service.
NOTE Tool-less or captive-fastener driver access is preferred because driver replacement is the most common maintenance event over the life of an LED luminaire. (8.2.3)
20% maximum
15% maximum
10% maximum
8.2.4.1A power factor of at least 0.90 and current total harmonic distortion at or below 20 percent are required to limit utility penalties and harmonic loading on the branch circuit.
8.2.4.2Lower THD should be specified where many drivers share a circuit or where the site is sensitive to harmonics.
8.3 Dimming Interface
0-10 V analog dimming
DALI digital addressable
Integral wireless control node
Non-dimming (on/off only)
8.3.1A dimmable driver shall be provided wherever the controls strategy includes part-night dimming or daylight response.
8.3.2The dimming interface shall be coordinated with the control system selected below.
NOTE The 0-10 V interface is the most widely supported and is the practical default; DALI is selected where individual luminaire addressing and feedback are required. (8.3.3)
9 Poles and Supports
NOTE The pole is a structural element, not an accessory. (9.1)
NOTE It is a cantilever loaded by its own weight, the weight and wind area of the luminaires and brackets it carries, wind, ice, and — in roadway applications — vehicle impact considerations. (9.2)
9.3Pole selection shall follow the sealed structural calculations, not a catalog mounting-height table.
9.4 Mounting Configuration
Pole arm / mast arm (single)
Pole arm (twin, opposed)
Pole arm (multiple, at angles)
Post-top mount
Direct wall mount (wall-pack)
Tenon / slip-fitter mount
NOTE The mounting configuration determines the number and arrangement of luminaires on the pole, which directly drives the pole's effective projected area and the eccentric moment it must resist; a multiple-luminaire arrangement at a single pole reduces pole count but increases the structural demand on each pole and its foundation. (9.4.1)
9.5 Mounting Height
12 ft (pedestrian, post-top)
15 ft (walkway, low-level area)
20 ft (parking, low)
25 ft (parking, typical)
30 ft (parking, large lot)
35 ft (roadway, large area)
40 ft (roadway, high-mast lower range)
NOTE Mounting height trades pole count against light distribution and glare; higher mounting covers more area per pole with lower glare angles but requires a stronger pole and foundation and makes maintenance harder. (9.5.2)
9.6 Pole Material
○ Aluminum (extruded or spun)
○ Steel (hot-dip galvanized)
○ Steel (galvanized and powder-coated)
○ Concrete (spun or precast)
○ Fiberglass / FRP
9.6.1The galvanizing of steel poles per ASTM A123 is the primary corrosion defense and shall not be compromised by field cutting or welding.
9.6.2The pole material shall be confirmed against the corrosion exposure classification and the structural calculations.
NOTE Aluminum poles resist corrosion inherently and are light enough to handle without lifting equipment, making them well suited to coastal and roadway-salt environments and to shorter poles; galvanized steel poles are stronger for tall poles and high-load multiple-luminaire arrangements and are the practical default for typical parking and roadway heights; concrete poles offer long maintenance-free life and impact mass for roadway applications; and fiberglass poles are non-conductive and corrosion-immune and are selected where electrical isolation or aggressive chemical exposure governs. (9.6.3)
9.7 Pole Wind and Fatigue Resistance
9.7.1Poles shall be designed and fabricated to resist the design wind, ice, and fatigue loads of AASHTO LTS-6 for area and roadway luminaire supports, or ASCE 7 where the building code governs site-lighting poles on a building site.
9.7.2The effective projected area used in the calculation shall include every luminaire, bracket, and banner or sign arm actually mounted on the pole.
9.7.3Wind-induced vibration fatigue at the base weld and the anchor-bolt connection shall be specifically addressed.
NOTE Wind-induced vibration fatigue at the base weld and the anchor-bolt connection is a recognized failure mode for slender poles. (9.7.4)
9.8 Pole Vibration
9.8.1Luminaires and their attachments shall withstand the vibration of normal service per ANSI C136.31 so that the LED module, driver, and optical assembly are not loosened or fatigued by wind-induced pole oscillation.
9.8.2Roadway and high-mast applications impose higher vibration and shall use the corresponding higher vibration category.
9.9 Handhole and Wiring
○ In-line fuse in each ungrounded conductor at handhole
○ Not required (fused at distribution only)
9.9.1Each pole shall have a reinforced, gasketed handhole near the base with a removable cover for access to the in-pole wiring and the in-line fuse holders.
9.9.2Pole wiring shall be supported so that it does not bear on sharp edges and shall be provided with a grounding provision inside the handhole bonded per Grounding And Bonding. 9.9.3An in-line fuse in each ungrounded conductor at the handhole shall be provided so that a fault in one pole does not de-energize the entire circuit and so the pole can be isolated for service.
9.10 Luminaire Attachments
9.10.1Brackets, arms, tenons, and slip-fitters shall comply with ANSI C136.3 for mechanical interchangeability and load capacity.
9.10.2Attachment hardware shall be stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized to match the corrosion class.
9.10.3Dissimilar-metal contact between an aluminum luminaire and a steel pole shall be isolated to prevent galvanic corrosion.
10 Foundations and Anchorage
NOTE The pole foundation transfers the pole's overturning moment, shear, and uplift into the soil. (10.1)
10.2Foundation design depends on the pole reactions, the soil properties from the geotechnical report, and the frost depth, and shall not be a standard detail applied without verification.
10.3 Foundation Type
Drilled concrete pier (cast-in-place)
Spread footing (cast-in-place)
Precast concrete base
Direct-buried (embedded pole)
NOTE The drilled concrete pier is the most common foundation for area and roadway poles because it resists overturning efficiently with a small footprint; direct-buried poles are economical for shorter, lighter poles but are limited by soil capacity and corrosion at the grade line. (10.3.3)
10.4 Anchor Bolts and Base Plate
Hot-dip galvanized
Stainless steel
Zinc-plated (interior / sheltered only)
10.4.1Anchor bolts shall be sized and embedded per the sealed foundation design to develop the pole base reactions, and the bolt pattern shall match the pole base plate.
10.4.2Anchor bolts, nuts, and washers in corrosive or coastal environments shall be hot-dip galvanized or stainless steel, and the projecting threads shall be protected.
10.4.3A non-shrink grout pad or a leveling-nut arrangement shall be used so the base plate bears uniformly, and the void under the base plate shall be handled per the pole manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE Trapping water under an ungrouted base plate accelerates corrosion, and an improperly grouted base can prevent the connection from flexing as the fatigue design assumes. (10.4.4)
10.5 Frangible / Breakaway Bases
○ Not required
○ Required (poles in vehicle clear zone)
10.5.1Where a pole stands within the vehicle clear zone of a roadway or a high-speed drive aisle, a breakaway base designed per AASHTO LTS-6 shall be provided so that the pole separates predictably on impact rather than arresting the vehicle.
10.5.2Breakaway bases shall not be used where a falling pole would endanger pedestrians or strike a building.
10.6 Grade Clearance
10.6.1The top of the foundation shall extend above finished grade or pavement so that the base plate and anchor bolts are not submerged in standing or splash water.
11 Controls
NOTE Exterior lighting controls are mandated by energy code to ensure the lighting is off or reduced when not needed. (11.1)
NOTE ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC both require automatic shutoff of exterior lighting, generally by a combination of a photocontrol that prevents daytime operation and a time-based or occupancy-based control that reduces or extinguishes lighting during unoccupied night hours. (11.2)
11.3 Photocontrol
Locking-type twist-lock photocontrol (ANSI C136.10)
Button / non-locking photocontrol
Networked control node with integral photosensor
Central photocell controlling contactor
11.3.1A photocontrol shall prevent the lighting from operating during daylight, satisfying the daylight-off requirement of the energy code.
NOTE Locking-type (twist-lock) photocontrols complying with ANSI C136.10 are field-replaceable from the ground-accessible receptacle on shorter poles and are interchangeable between manufacturers, which is the practical default; a central photocell driving a lighting contactor is appropriate where many luminaires share a circuit and individual control is unnecessary. (11.3.2)
11.4 Scheduling and Reduction Control
Astronomical time switch (on at dusk, off/reduce at set time)
Networked schedule with part-night dimming
Occupancy/motion sensing with dimming to low level
Photocontrol only (dusk-to-dawn, no reduction)
11.4.1Exterior lighting shall be reduced or extinguished during unoccupied hours beyond simple dusk-to-dawn operation for most applications, as required by the energy code.
11.4.2Where occupancy sensing that dims luminaires to a low level is used, it shall be coordinated with the dimmable driver selected above.
11.4.3Photocontrol-only operation is permitted only for the limited applications the energy code exempts.
NOTE An astronomical time switch tracks seasonal sunrise and sunset and reduces or turns off lighting at a programmed time, satisfying the requirement without a sensor at every pole; occupancy sensing that dims luminaires to a low level when no activity is detected and raises them on approach provides the greatest savings for parking lots and is increasingly required. (11.4.4)
11.5 Control Zoning
11.5.1Control zones shall be arranged so that lighting can be reduced or switched by area according to occupancy and use, and the zone boundaries and assignments shall be as indicated on the lighting control plan. 11.5.2Façade, signage, and decorative lighting shall be on separate control from functional area lighting so that the energy-code curfew and shutoff requirements can be applied to each independently.
12 Surge Protection
NOTE Outdoor luminaires are connected to long exterior circuits that are exposed to lightning-induced and switching surges, and the LED driver is the component most often destroyed by them. (12.1)
NOTE Surge protection is the single most cost-effective measure to prevent premature LED failure on exterior systems. (12.2)
12.3 Luminaire Surge Protective Device
10 kV / 5 kA (standard)
20 kV / 10 kA (elevated exposure)
12.3.1Each luminaire shall be provided with a surge protective device, listed to UL 1449 where applied as a discrete SPD, selected for the surge environment of its location category per IEEE C62.41.2 and tested per IEEE C62.45.
12.3.2A 10 kV / 5 kA device is adequate for most site locations; a 20 kV / 10 kA device shall be used for tall poles, exposed sites, and areas of high lightning activity.
12.3.3The SPD should be of a type that fails safe and disconnects the luminaire on its own end of life rather than failing the driver, and should be field-replaceable.
12.4 System-Level Surge Protection
12.4.1Where exterior lighting is fed from a panelboard or feeder that warrants protection, a panel-level surge protective device shall be coordinated with the luminaire-level devices in accordance with the cascade principles of IEEE C62.41.2.
NOTE The effectiveness of any SPD depends entirely on a low-impedance ground connection at the pole. (12.4.3)
13 Finishes and Corrosion Protection
NOTE The finish is what allows the luminaire housing and the pole to survive years of weather without corroding, and the appropriate system depends on the corrosion exposure classification. (13.1)
13.2 Luminaire Housing Finish
Polyester powder coat over pretreated aluminum
Super-durable polyester powder coat (high UV / coastal)
Anodized aluminum
13.2.1Luminaire housings shall be corrosion-resistant aluminum (cast per ASTM B26 or extruded per ASTM B221) with a chromate-free pretreatment and a powder-coat finish.
13.2.2A super-durable powder coat shall be specified for coastal and high-UV environments where standard polyester chalks and fades.
13.3 Pole Finish
Hot-dip galvanized, bare (ASTM A123)
Hot-dip galvanized with polyester powder coat
High-performance coating on aluminum (AAMA 2604)
Superior-performance coating on aluminum (AAMA 2605, coastal)
Manufacturer's standard powder coat (aluminum, sheltered)
13.3.1Steel poles shall be hot-dip galvanized per ASTM A123 as the base corrosion protection, and a powder-coat top finish is added where appearance is specified, applied over the galvanizing with proper surface preparation so it does not later peel.
13.3.2Aluminum poles shall receive a coating meeting AAMA 2604 for general use or AAMA 2605 for the longest life in coastal and high-UV exposure.
13.3.3Field cuts, drilled holes, and weld repairs in galvanized steel shall be repaired with a zinc-rich coating.
NOTE Bare steel left at a field modification will corrode and bleed regardless of the finish elsewhere. (13.3.4)
13.4.1Where aluminum and steel components are joined — an aluminum luminaire on a steel pole, an aluminum pole on steel anchor bolts — the contact shall be isolated with a non-absorbent gasket or an isolation washer so that the galvanic couple does not consume the more anodic metal.
NOTE This detail is routinely omitted and produces corrosion at exactly the connection that is most difficult to service. (13.4.2)
14 Testing
14.1 Photometric Acceptance
○ Point-by-point measurement at plan grid points
○ Spot measurement at representative locations
○ Not required
14.1.1The installed lighting shall be verified to meet the design illuminance and uniformity after dark, with measurements taken at the points shown on the photometric plan after the LED output has stabilized and with the pavement and surroundings representative of the in-service condition.
14.1.2Readings substantially below or above the design indicate a wrong luminaire, wrong aiming, or a circuiting error and shall be corrected.
14.2 Aiming and Shielding Verification
14.2.1Floodlights and adjustable luminaires shall be aimed to the angles shown on the drawings and locked, and the aiming shall be verified after dark for glare and trespass toward property lines and residences.
14.2.2House-side shields shall be confirmed installed where required.
14.3 Operational and Controls Testing
14.3.1The Contractor shall demonstrate that the photocontrol prevents daytime operation, that the scheduling or occupancy control reduces or extinguishes the lighting as programmed, that dimming operates across its range, and that each control zone responds independently.
14.3.2Functional testing of the controls is required by the energy code and the results shall be documented.
14.4 Pole and Anchorage Verification
14.4.1Anchor-bolt nuts shall be tightened to the pole manufacturer's specified torque using a calibrated tool and the torque recorded.
14.4.2Base-plate grouting or leveling-nut arrangement shall be verified against the manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE Under-tensioned or over-tensioned anchor bolts are a leading cause of base-connection fatigue failure. (14.4.3)
15 Installation
15.1 Coordination and Sequencing
15.1.1The Contractor shall coordinate foundation locations and conduit stub-up with the sealed foundation design and the site civil work before concrete is placed.
NOTE A foundation poured in the wrong location or with the wrong bolt pattern cannot be corrected without demolition. (15.1.3)
15.2 Pole Erection
15.2.1Poles shall be set plumb on cured foundations and shall not be erected until the foundation concrete has reached the strength required by the structural drawings.
15.2.2Luminaires shall be mounted, leveled, and the in-pole wiring connected through the handhole with the in-line fuses installed.
15.2.3Lifting and rigging shall protect the finish, and scratches through galvanizing or coating shall be repaired before acceptance.
15.3 Grounding and Bonding
15.3.2A non-conductive fiberglass pole still requires the luminaire and any metal hardware to be grounded through the equipment grounding conductor.
15.3.3A supplemental grounding electrode at the pole base may be provided where the design requires it for surge dissipation, but it does not replace the equipment grounding conductor connection.
15.4 Drainage and Sealing
15.4.1Luminaire gaskets and breathers shall be installed so that the luminaire drains and breathes as listed, because sealing a luminaire's breather causes internal condensation that fails the optics and driver.
15.4.2Conduit entries into poles and luminaires shall be sealed against water entry, and any conduit that could convey water or condensation into a luminaire or pole shall be sealed per NFPA 70 to prevent moisture migration.
16 Delivery, Storage, and Handling
16.1Luminaires shall be delivered in the manufacturer's original packaging with listing marks intact and stored indoors, dry, and protected until installed.
16.2Poles shall be stored off the ground on supports that do not concentrate load or abrade the finish, and galvanized and coated surfaces shall be protected from contact that would scratch them.
16.3Anchor-bolt assemblies and templates shall be stored together and protected from bending so the bolt pattern is preserved.
NOTE LED drivers are damaged by prolonged exposure to moisture and condensation in storage. (16.4)
17 Warranty
17.1 Luminaire and Driver Warranty
5 years from substantial completion
7 years from substantial completion
10 years from substantial completion
17.1.1Luminaires and drivers shall carry a manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship and against lumen depreciation below the rated maintenance for the warranty period.
NOTE A five-year warranty is common for commercial LED exterior luminaires; ten years should be specified for infrastructure and long-life municipal projects where re-lamping access is costly. (17.1.2)
17.2 Pole and Finish Warranty
1 year from substantial completion
5 years from substantial completion
10 years against finish failure
17.2.1The pole structure and its finish shall be warranted against structural failure and against finish failure such as peeling, blistering, and excessive fading for the specified period.
17.2.2The Contractor shall warrant the installation, including anchorage, aiming, and controls, for the project warranty period.
18 Spare Parts
☐ Spare LED drivers (one per luminaire type)
☐ Spare LED modules / light engines (one per type)
☐ Spare photocontrols
☐ Spare in-line fuses (one box per rating)
☐ Spare surge protective devices
☐ Touch-up coating to match each finish
18.1Spare parts shall match the type, rating, CCT, and distribution of the installed equipment so that a replacement is photometrically and visually consistent with its neighbors.
18.2Touch-up coating matched to each finish shall be provided so that field repairs to scratched poles and luminaires do not leave a visible or corroding mark.