EN 40: what a lighting column must comply with

What EN 40 covers

EN 40 is the European standard series for lighting columns. The series covers everything from definitions and dimensions to the requirements per material:

• EN 40-1 and EN 40-2: definitions, general requirements and dimensions, such as the size of the spigot the luminaire slides onto.
• EN 40-3: design and verification, with the loads and the check by calculation or by testing.
• EN 40-5: steel lighting columns.
• EN 40-6: aluminium lighting columns.
• EN 40-4 and EN 40-7: concrete columns and fibre reinforced polymer composite columns.

For installers, EN 40-5 and EN 40-6 matter most: the CE marking of a steel or aluminium column is based on them.

Wind is the governing load

A lighting column carries little weight but catches a lot of wind. EN 40-3-1 derives the characteristic load from the wind speed at the location, the terrain category (open coast or sheltered built-up area), the column height and the wind area of column and luminaire together. The Netherlands has three wind zones; the coastal strip carries the heaviest load.

The manufacturer verifies the strength by calculation (EN 40-3-3) or by testing (EN 40-3-2). The result is a maximum top load: the weight and wind area of the luminaire the column may carry. Fit a heavier or larger head and that verification no longer applies. Check this before you combine a street luminaire from VIA or a post-top luminaire from POLARIS with a column.

The standard also assesses the deflection of the top under wind, divided into classes. A stiff column keeps precisely aimed optics where they belong.

Steel and aluminium

Steel (EN 40-5) sets requirements for the steel grade (for example S235JR), the welded joints and the corrosion protection. Hot-dip galvanising to EN ISO 1461 is the basis; a powder coating on top adds protection and the required colour, such as RAL 9005 on the TURRIS columns.

Aluminium (EN 40-6) sets requirements for the alloy and the heat treatment. The wind load the column has to carry is the same as for a steel column of equal height; the manufacturer achieves that strength with the right alloy, wall thickness and diameter. Aluminium does not rust and weighs roughly a third of steel by volume, which makes installation easier. The CIVIS columns are based on these requirements.

CE marking and Declaration of Performance

Lighting columns fall under the European Construction Products Regulation. EN 40-5 and EN 40-6 are harmonised standards, so a steel or aluminium column must carry a CE marking with a Declaration of Performance (DoP). In it the manufacturer declares, among other things, the resistance to horizontal loads, the deflection and the durability. For columns beside the carriageway, the behaviour under vehicle impact to EN 12767 may be added.

The CE marking says nothing about the light, but it does say that the structure has been verified and that production is under control. A column without a Declaration of Performance does not belong in a public space.

Which documents to expect

Ask for these documents with every delivery, certainly on projects:

• Declaration of Performance (DoP) referring to EN 40-5 or EN 40-6.
• Dimensional drawing with mounting height, planting depth, spigot size, door opening and cable entry.
• Maximum top load: permitted weight and wind area of the luminaire.
• Corrosion protection: zinc coating thickness and any powder coating.
• Installation instructions: planting depth, backfill and earthing.

Mind the difference between mounting height and overall length: part of the column goes into the ground, usually 0.8 to 1 metre. The door opening must stay above ground level so the NEXUS column cut-out remains accessible. Our street luminaires fit a 60 mm spigot.

Frequently asked questions