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High mast lighting and light poles

High mast lighting: one pole where there would otherwise be four

Placing them higher means a larger surface area per mast position, and therefore fewer obstacles in an area where driving and handling take place. We supply high mast systems up to 50 meters with luminaires of 171 lm/W, plus low and standard lighting poles for everything below that.

A lighting column is not a loose component. Mast height, luminaire load, wind area, soil conditions, foundation, and maintenance strategy together determine what is technically sound. Because we supply both the lighting and the mast, we assess them as a single system rather than as two separate orders.

Response within 1 business day by an engineerFree lighting calculationISO 9001 and VCA
Installers at work at a mast base on the BUSS project
50 m
Highest high mast that we install
171 lumens per watt
Fixtures on the mast
EN 40
Up to 20 m; above that Eurocode
Three categories

Choose the correct mast height

The boundary between the categories is not only height but also the regulatory regime: up to 20 meters, a mast typically falls under EN 40; above that, it is assessed on a project-by-project basis in accordance with the Eurocode. That difference determines the lead time, the foundation, and the equipment required to install it.

Horse riding arena, 30 by 60 meters, evenly lit at night with LED

Light poles

up to 10 meters

For locations where clear site lighting is required with a limited mounting height. Suitable where the distance between the mast and the work zone remains small and a large light range is not required.

These poles typically fall within the EN 40 system and are intended for standard site lighting with limited luminaire load. The final choice depends on soil conditions, luminaire weight, wind load, and mounting method.

Features
EN 40
Finally
Lightweight
Placement with light equipment
Attachment
Typical applications
Parking lots
Business parks
Loading and unloading zones
Access roads
Security lighting
Perimeter lighting around buildings
Medium-height light pole according to EN 40 against the sky

Standard light poles

12 to 20 meters

For larger outdoor areas where greater range, better distribution, and fewer obstacles are desired. Frequently used in logistics yards, industrial outdoor zones, sports fields, and smaller terminal areas.

Within these heights, the choice of pole is determined by the combination of pole height, bracket or cross-arm, the number of luminaires, the luminaire weight, the windage area, and the desired light distribution.

Features
EN 40
Mostly two-piece
Placement with light equipment
Enclosure or armature ring
Bracket or crossbeam
Typical applications
Logistics sites
Industrial outdoor locations
Storage areas
Sports fields
Loading and unloading areas
Smaller terminal zones
Crane installs a 50-meter high light pole for site lighting

High mast

from 20 meters, up to 50 meters

For large operational areas, high-mast lighting is often the most efficient solution. By mounting fixtures higher, a larger area can be illuminated with fewer mast locations, which is particularly important where open space, routing, and operational flexibility are key.

For tall masts, the structure is evaluated on a project-by-project basis in accordance with the Eurocode. Mast height, wind load, luminaire load, foundation, and site conditions collectively determine which mast structure is structurally sound. The luminaires we use for high mast lighting achieve 171 lm/W and are full cut-off, meaning less power is required per position and no light is emitted upward.

Features
Eurocode, project-based
Customization
Separate foundation piles
Heavy equipment placement
Luminaires rim
Typical applications
Havens
Terminals and terminal yards
Bulk storage locations
Offshore yards
Heavy-lift yards
Large industrial outdoor areas
The starting point

Pole and luminaire are one construction, not two orders

The load on a light pole is not determined by height alone. The number of luminaires, the weight, the projected surface area, the mounting position, and the local wind load carry equal weight.

A 30-meter mast with a few compact fixtures requires a different assessment than that same 30 meters with multiple heavy floodlights on a large crown.

That works both ways. The lighting design choices determine the structural starting points, and the structural capacity determines how many fixtures can be safely mounted on it. If the mast, foundation, and lighting are ordered separately, that discrepancy only comes to light at the construction site.

What we look at during a pole calculation
01Mounting height and the desired light distribution
02Wind area and terrain category
03Location and how freely exposed it is
04Number of luminaires on the pole
05Weight per luminaire
06Wind protection for fixtures and brackets
07Carriers, yokes, or wreaths
08Foundation and anchoring plan
09Maintenance and accessibility at height
Foundation

Without soil data, a foundation is an assumption

A mast structure can only be assessed once the subsurface conditions are known. For new mast locations, and especially for high masts, a CPT soil test or geotechnical investigation is therefore often necessary. Based on this, the foundation type is determined: a concrete base, pile foundation, prefabricated foundation, anchor cage, or a project-specific design.

With taller masts and heavier luminaire loads, an assumption is not a responsible basis. That is why, in project-based mast solutions, we push for technical substantiation before the mast and foundation are finalized. That is sometimes a difficult message at the start of a project, but it is the cheapest place to find out.

What we deliver

Separately, or as a complete system

We supply masts separately, but also as part of a complete lighting system. You choose the scope; we will tell you what responsibilities remain with you.

Mast selection based on application and location
Lighting design and luminaire selection
Mast and luminaire configuration
Coordination with structural engineer or mast supplier
Foundation advice based on soil data
Supply of masts and luminaires
On-site installation with in-house VCA-certified technicians
Commissioning and delivery with documentation
Periodic maintenance and subsequent inspection
Applications

Where high mast lighting makes a difference

In areas where free space, routing, and operational flexibility matter, fewer mast positions are not only cheaper but also more practical: every mast is an obstacle that needs to be driven around.

Aerial view of the illuminated DFDS terminal in Vlaardingen with DarkLicht at night

Harbors and terminals

Container yards, ferry terminals, bulk terminals, and terminal yards where large areas need to be reliably illuminated without obstructing logistical movements.

Illuminated terminal with a crane at night

Industrial and outdoor storage

Industrial storage yards, loading and unloading zones, distribution centers, access roads, and business parks where safety and continuity are paramount.

Terrain lighting at Heijmans in Assendelft at night

Construction, infrastructure, and sports

Sports fields, construction sites, temporary work areas and infrastructure projects where pole position, light distribution and execution must be coordinated on a project basis.

The journey

From lighting design to installed pole

Six steps, the first three of which happen on paper. That is deliberate: with a mast, the place where you can correct a mistake is the drawing board, not the site.

01InventoryWe assess the location, site function, desired light levels, existing situation, planning, and project scope.
02ConfigurationMast height, luminaires, trusses, rings, brackets, light distribution, and mounting method are determined.
03JustificationWind load, fixture load, foundation, CPT data, and the technical documentation are coordinated with each other.
04DeliveryMasts and lighting will be delivered, coordinated with the construction sequence and site availability.
05Foundation and assemblyThe foundation is being built and the masts are being installed, using the equipment appropriate for the height. This is followed by commissioning and delivery.
06Maintenance and inspectionAfter completion, maintenance matters. With periodic inspection and testing, a mast will last as long as possible and the installation remains safe.
Preparation

What we need for a good proposal

With project-based poles, an inquiry is rarely just about the height. The location, luminaire configuration, foundation, and desired design together determine which pole solution is appropriate.

If you do not have everything yet, no problem. We will think along with you about which data is needed to arrive at a technically substantiated proposal, and indicate which of those have the greatest impact on the outcome.

Useful to provide
Project Location
Desired mast height
Number of masts
Application of the terrain
Desired light levels
Existing or desired fixtures
Drawings or site layout
Existing or new foundation
CPT sounding or soil data
Desired schedule
Scope: delivery, installation, or complete system
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Light Poles

Can't find your question? Call us with the site dimensions and the desired height at hand.

Because you illuminate a larger surface with fewer pole positions. That limits the number of obstacles on the site, makes the layout clearer, and saves on foundations. The condition is that the lighting and structural design parameters are aligned: placing them higher requires different optics and a heavier structure.

Effective from 20 meters. That is also the threshold above which a mast no longer falls standardly under EN 40 and is assessed on a project basis. We install high mast systems up to 50 meters.

EN 40 is used in practice for lighting columns up to 20 meters nominal height. For taller columns or special configurations, the column is assessed on a project basis, based on wind load, luminaire load, mounting structure, and foundation, among other factors.

For new pole locations, high poles, or larger luminaire loads, a CPT soil sounding is often necessary to determine the soil composition and bearing capacity. Without soil data, the foundation remains based on assumptions, and for taller poles, that is not a responsible basis.

A concrete pier, a pile foundation, a prefabricated foundation, an anchor cage, or a project-specific construction. Which of these is suitable follows from the soil data, the mast height, and the load that the mast exerts on the foundation.

Yes. We supply lighting columns separately, but also as part of a complete system with luminaires, a lighting design, foundation advice, installation, and delivery. If you choose delivery only, we will also inform you which assessments remain your responsibility.

That is not a fixed number, but an outcome. It depends on the mast height, the weight and wind-catching surface of the luminaires, the ring or cross-arm, and the wind zone. A 30-meter mast with compact luminaires is very different from the same mast with heavy floodlights on a large ring.

Placing them higher does not automatically mean more nuisance, provided the optics are right. With full cut-off luminaires such as the DarkLicht Does the light remain within the site boundary and does nothing go upward? If the site borders residential properties or nature, we assess the calculation against the NSVV guideline for light nuisance.

That is a design question, not an implementation question. With high masts, it is determined in advance how the luminaires will remain accessible: using an aerial lift, via a lowerable crown, or with a climbing system. Our technicians are certified for working at height; see installation and maintenance.

Often yes, but not just like that. New fixtures usually have a different weight and wind-catching surface than what was there, so the existing pole must be reassessed. During an LED conversion, that is one of the first things we check.

That varies greatly between categories. Standard masts within EN 40 are a matter of delivery time; high masts involve a project-based assessment, often a soil investigation, and a foundation. We provide the schedule after the inventory, because any number before that is a shot in the dark.

Yes. We always do the engineering and lighting plan ourselves; for the execution outside the Netherlands, we work with trusted partners. Please provide the project location with your request, and we will explain how that would work in your case.

Yes, besides fixed masts. A mobile light mast is interesting for temporary work sites, events, or situations where there is no power supply or foundation yet. See the page about the mobile light mast for the performances.

Request

Apply for a light mast or high mast system

For an industrial estate, terminal, port location, sports field or large outdoor area. We help with the choice based on application, location, wind load, foundation and the lighting that goes on the mast.

Your request is being reviewed by an engineer. We will respond within 1 business day.

Heightsup to 50 m
Scopedelivery only as a complete system
Light calculationfree of charge, even without an order
Executionin-house VCA-certified mechanics

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