Flagpole maintenance in Austria: checks, care and flag care
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the German original. Where the two versions differ, the German text is the original.
An aluminium flagpole needs little care, but not none. Line, pulley and snap hooks wear, the flag fades and frays, and storms put strain on base and foundation. The Austrian Armed Forces’ flag order and the notes of Austrian flag makers describe what matters.
Checks after storms and bad weather
According to the maker Fahnen Gärtner, caring for flags and accessories includes checking regularly for wear and damage, especially after strong winds or other weather events, and replacing parts in good time. A check usually covers:
| Part | What is looked at |
|---|---|
| Base and ground sleeve | cracks, corrosion, water in the sleeve, firm seating |
| Base plate or hinge | loose bolts, rust, play in the hinge |
| Pole tube | dents, deformation, leaning |
| Truck and pulley | smooth running, wear, firm seating |
| Line | frayed places, rust on the wire rope |
| Snap hooks | wear, does the catch close |
| Flag | fading, fraying, tears at the hem |
Line, pulley and snap hooks
The Armed Forces’ flag order names a wire rope as the most suitable line, possibly with a plastic coating that prevents rapid rusting. The flag is attached with at least two, preferably three snap hooks, because the wind pressure is then spread and the flag lasts longer. If the hoisted flag hangs visibly below the top, according to the flag order this is usually due to an upper pulley sitting too low or a tensioner above the flag. More in the guide to flagpole mechanics.
Flag care
- Cleaning: according to Fahnen Gärtner, regular cleaning in line with the care instructions keeps the fabric supple. The Armed Forces clean soiled flags under the guidelines for cleaning clothing.
- Repair: according to Fahnen Gärtner, small damage can be repaired before it becomes larger. The flag order also provides for repairing damaged flag cloth where possible.
- Taking it down in storms: Fahnen Gärtner names taking the flag down in storm or extreme weather as a way to extend its life.
- Storage: according to Fahnen Gärtner, the flag is stored dry when not in use. The Armed Forces fold the flag carefully after lowering so that the cloth does not touch the ground.
- Spare flag: because a flag should always fly in a clean condition, the Armed Forces always keep a spare flag ready.
When a flag has served its time
Under the Armed Forces’ flag order, old, faded, worn, torn or otherwise shabby flags are taken out of use and completely destroyed; flags of high traditional value go to the Museum of Military History. How long flag fabrics last is described in the guide to flagpole lifespan.
Maintenance and liability
Under section 1319 ABGB, the possessor of a work is liable for damage caused by collapse or detached parts unless they prove that all care needed to avert the danger was taken. A regular, documented check is part of that care. More in the guide to flagpole safety.
Frequently asked questions
How often is a flagpole checked in Austria?
There is no statutory interval for private poles. According to the maker Fahnen Gärtner, care includes checking the accessories regularly for wear and damage, especially after strong winds or other weather events.
How is a flag cleaned?
According to the manufacturer’s care instructions. The Austrian Armed Forces’ flag order provides for cleaning soiled flags under the guidelines for cleaning clothing and for repairing damaged flag cloth where possible. According to Fahnen Gärtner, regular cleaning keeps the fabric supple.
Why have a spare flag?
The Armed Forces’ flag order provides that a flag always flies in a clean condition and therefore always keeps a spare flag ready. The flag can then be taken down for cleaning or repair without the pole standing empty.
Does maintenance have anything to do with liability?
Yes. Under section 1319 ABGB, the possessor of a work is liable for damage caused by collapse or detached parts unless they prove that all care needed to avert the danger was taken. Regular checks are part of that care.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in German:
- FAQ: Was sollte man bei der Pflege und Wartung von Fahnen- und Flaggenzubehör beachten? – Fahnen Gärtner, Mittersill
- FAQ: Kann die Haltbarkeit der Fahnen verlängert werden? – Fahnen Gärtner, Mittersill
- Fahnenordnung des Österreichischen Bundesheeres, VBl. I Nr. 63/2018, Abschnitt II C Z 3 und D Z 5 bis 8 – Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung
- Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, § 1319 – Bundeskanzleramt, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS)
Related guides
- Flagpole repairTypical damage to a flagpole and its causes: broken line, sticking pulley, tangled flag, half-mast effect, loose base and corrosion – and who repairs it.
- Lifespan and sustainabilityHow long flagpole and flag last in Austria: lifespans of flag fabrics, what extends them, repair instead of replacement and what happens to old flags.
- Flagpole accessoriesTruck, pulley, halyard, snap hooks, cleat, arm, ground sleeve, finial and lighting: the accessories of a flagpole in Austria and what each part is for.
- Flagpole safetyFlagpoles and safety in Austria: GeoSphere Austria wind warnings, wind load under ÖNORM, liability under section 1319 ABGB and work at height.