Pole-Safe® Breakaway Light Pole Support System
A light pole near traffic has two jobs: stand firm through wind and weather, then give way when a vehicle strikes it. Pole-Safe is a multi-directional breakaway light pole support system built for both. Its high-strength breakaway couplings release cleanly upon vehicular impact, saving lives and reducing property damage.
Breakaway Light Pole Support
A breakaway light pole support connects the pole’s base plate to its foundation through couplings designed to fracture under impact. Rather than stopping a car abruptly, breakaway poles separate, and the vehicle continues at reduced speed. For roadway safety in the roadside clear zone, that’s what turns a fixed hazard into a safe pole.
How the Pole-Safe Breakaway Coupling Works
Four precisely machined couplings sit between the foundation and the pole base plate. Their geometry lets each frangible coupling fracture safely at relatively low force and energy levels, with consistent, predictable behavior regardless of the vehicle’s angle of impact. The low stub left behind helps prevent undercarriage damage.
MASH Crash-Tested and Federally Approved
Pole-Safe is MASH tested. Pole-Safe has also been crash-tested and FHWA-approved in accordance with NCHRP Report 350 since 1996. It conforms to AASHTO “standards specifications for structural supports for highway signs, luminaires and traffic signals” and is approved for use on the National Highway System (NHS) and all Federal-Aid highway projects.
EN 12767 testing is in progress.
Roadside Clear Zones and Airfield Applications
Pole-Safe suits any roadside element that needs a multi-directional breakaway support system. At airports, it’s FAA-approved as a frangible connection for airport lighting and visual aids within designated safety areas, under Advisory Circular 150/5220-23; see our Pole-Safe frangible fuse bolts. Mounting signs instead? Explore Break-Safe®.
Wind Load Capacity, Fatigue Resistance, and Zero Maintenance
High structural capacity
The high-strength couplings withstand wind and dead loads across many pole configurations.
Fatigue resistance
Independent testing showed more than two million loading cycles with no reduction in structural capacity.
Corrosion protection
Couplings and hardware are hot-dip galvanized per ASTM A153.
Simple installation
No special tools or precise torque levels; just the AISC turn-of-nut method.
Low cost
Low initial cost and zero maintenance make Pole-Safe a cost-effective light pole support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size poles can Pole-Safe support?
Pole-Safe was crash-tested with a 55-foot, 930-pound pole, within AASHTO limits. See our memo on non-standard use. Models fit anchor bolts from 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches in diameter.
Can Pole-Safe be installed on existing foundations?
Yes. 4000 Series couplings thread onto existing anchor bolts sized to the proper projection height, while the 5000 Series pairs with Transpo anchors cast into new foundations. The Pole-Safe Design Book covers each model.
What happens to a breakaway pole after it's hit?
The couplings fracture, and the pole separates cleanly, leaving a low stub at the foundation. The fractured couplings are then easily replaced.
Can the breakaway light pole base be concealed?
Yes. Optional aluminum Pole-Safe skirts cover the couplings for a clean, finished look.
Request a Quote
Questions about your project? Call our Safety Team at 914-636-1000 or fill out the form below.
