Choosing fixtures for salt air in Hawaii and on the coast

On the coast, the air carries salt. It settles on every surface, pulls in moisture, and starts corrosion on metal that would last for decades inland. In Hawaii, where many projects sit within sight of the water, it is the first thing to plan for.

What to look for

• Housing material. Low-copper aluminum, stainless steel or composite housings hold up better than standard die-cast parts.
• Finish. Ask about the full finish system, not only the color. Marine-grade finishes use a pretreatment under the powder coat, and some manufacturers publish salt spray test results (ASTM B117) for them.
• Hardware. Stainless fasteners, preferably 316 grade near the water. A good housing with plain steel screws will still bleed rust.
• Sealing. Check the IP rating and the wet listing. Gaskets and sealed wiring entries keep salt and moisture out of the driver.
• Warranty terms. Some warranties exclude coastal installs, and some marine lines are warranted for them. Read which one you have.

It is not only the fixtures

Poles, base plates, junction boxes, conduit fittings and anchor bolts face the same air. A corrosion-resistant fixture on a plain steel pole is only half a solution. Plan the whole assembly together.

How we help

We carry a marine and coastal line for this reason. Tell us how close the project is to the water and what it needs to light, and we will put together options with the finish and hardware spelled out.