Our frangible poles have been independently crash tested and are now approved by Main Roads Western Australia. G&S Industries is also listed as a Main Roads WA approved supplier.
That means designers, contractors and asset owners can specify safer, impact-absorbing poles from a team that has supplied galvanised steel poles to Australian projects since 1968.
If you design, build or manage roadside infrastructure, this article explains what frangible poles are, how they protect road users, what the approval means for your project, and where they should and shouldn’t be used.
What are Frangible Poles?
A frangible pole is designed to give way in a controlled, predictable manner when a vehicle hits it. “Frangible” means able to break, but these poles are engineered to fail in a specific way, at a specific force.
A rigid pole stops a vehicle almost instantly. The full force of the crash is transferred to the people inside, and the vehicle can wrap around the pole. A frangible pole does the opposite: it yields, absorbs part of the impact energy and lets the vehicle slow more gradually. The risk of serious injury drops significantly.
The three main types
| Type | How it works | After an impact |
| Slip base | The pole sits on a base plate with a sliding joint. On impact, the joint releases and the pole is knocked clear. | The pole falls away; the vehicle continues with reduced speed. |
| Breakaway | A weakened section or frangible coupling near the base snaps on impact. | Pole separates from the footing; components are replaced. |
| Impact-absorbing (energy absorbing) | The pole deforms and folds around the vehicle, absorbing energy as it collapses. | The vehicle is slowed and held, reducing secondary risk to pedestrians and following traffic. |
Impact-absorbing poles are usually preferred where there are pedestrians, cyclists or other traffic nearby, because the pole and vehicle don’t travel far after a crash. Slip-base and breakaway poles suit higher-speed, open road environments with clear run-out areas.
In everyday conditions, all of these poles still do their job: holding lights, signals or cameras securely against wind and vibration.
How we Proved it: Full-scale Crash Testing
A frangible pole is only as good as its test results, so we didn’t rely on calculations alone. Our poles were put through full-scale vehicle crash testing by Holmes Solutions, an independent road safety testing facility.
Crash testing measures how a pole behaves when struck by a real vehicle at speed, including:
- how quickly and smoothly the vehicle slows down
- the forces experienced by occupants
- whether the pole or debris intrudes into the passenger compartment
- where the pole and vehicle end up after the impact
We are one of the few pole suppliers in Western Australia to have proactively crash tested poles for Main Roads use. The results were reviewed by Main Roads WA before approval was granted.
See our frangible poles in action
Watch the crash test footage below to see how our poles perform on impact.
What Main Roads Approval Means for you
Main Roads Western Australia sets the requirements for infrastructure on the state’s road network. Approval means our frangible poles meet those requirements, so you can include them in your WA road projects with confidence.
For engineers, contractors and councils, that removes a step:
- No separate product justification. You’re specifying a pole Main Roads has already assessed.
- Less risk at design review. Approved products reduce the chance of a design being sent back for alternatives.
- Local technical support. You get a compliant, Main Roads-approved pole that is designed and engineered right here in Western Australia, with our in-house team on hand to answer technical questions.
Working outside WA? Talk to us about your state’s requirements and we’ll work through the right solution for your site.
Where Frangible Poles Make Sense
Frangible poles suit any site where a pole could be struck by a vehicle and can’t practically be moved out of the way or shielded by a barrier, including:
- Roadsides and highways, where vehicles travel at speed close to the kerb
- Intersections and roundabouts, where turning traffic brings vehicles near poles
- Medians and traffic islands, where poles sit between opposing lanes
- Car parks and access roads at shopping centres, mine sites and industrial facilities
- Streetscapes and urban upgrades that need street lighting poles or camera poles close to traffic
When a Frangible Pole may not be the Right Choice
Frangible poles aren’t always the answer. A rigid pole, or a pole behind a barrier, may be better where:
- a falling pole could land on a busy footpath, cycle path or another traffic lane
- the pole carries overhead power or heavy equipment that must stay up
- the pole is already protected by a crash barrier or sits well outside the clear zone
Our team can help you weigh these factors for your site.
Like every pole we supply, each frangible pole is engineered for its wind region and site, and supplied hot-dip galvanised for long-term corrosion resistance.
Talk to us About Frangible Poles
We’re an Australian-owned family business and have been designing and supplying steel poles since 1968. When you work with us, you get:
- In-house engineering and drafting, so your poles are designed to your site’s wind region, terrain category and load requirements
- Poles designed to AS/NZS 1170 and compliant with Australian Standards
- Main Roads WA approved supplier status and independently crash-tested frangible poles
- Delivery anywhere in Australia
Planning a road, intersection or car park project? Call our team on (08) 9446 8044 or send us an enquiry to talk through your frangible pole requirements.
A non-frangible pole is built to stay rigid on impact, which can stop a vehicle suddenly. A frangible pole is designed to give way in a controlled manner, absorbing impact energy to reduce the risk of serious injury. Both are engineered to carry their equipment safely in everyday conditions.
Yes. Frangible poles can support lighting, CCTV, traffic cameras and other roadside equipment where a pole could be struck. Our team will recommend the right pole for your equipment, site and wind region.
Yes, we deliver poles Australia-wide. Our Main Roads approval applies to Western Australian road projects, so if you're working in another state, contact us and we'll help you work through the local requirements.
No. Frangible poles are designed to the same wind loading standard (AS/NZS 1170.2) as rigid poles. They are engineered to give way under the sharp, concentrated force of a vehicle impact, not the sustained loads from wind and equipment.
The damaged pole is removed and replaced. The footing and anchor bolts can often be reused, depending on the pole type and the severity of the impact, which keeps repair time and cost down.
Not necessarily. Where a frangible pole is used, a barrier may not be needed to protect against the pole itself. Barrier requirements depend on the site and other hazards, so check with your road authority or design engineer.