Types of flagpoles in Finland

Finland has no separate law on flagpoles, and there are many types of pole. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, the most common is the field pole set in the ground in a garden, but on small plots and at blocks of flats poles fixed to a wall are becoming more common too. This guide presents the most common types of flagpole and how they differ.

The field pole

According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, a field pole (kenttäsalko) is a flagpole set in the ground in a garden, used at detached houses, cottages and blocks of flats. The flag is raised with a halyard running over a pulley at the top of the pole. Field poles are usually between about 6 and 18 metres long, and the flag’s size is chosen by the pole’s length. More information is in the guide to flagpole heights.

According to the Association, the pole is placed in a central, easily noticed spot in the garden that suits the landscape and has no obstacles to the flag flying nearby. Usually this is in the front garden, for example on a lawn.

The tilting pole

Many field poles have a tilting base, a hinge at the bottom on which the pole can be lowered horizontally. The halyard, pulley and finial of a tilting pole can then be serviced from the ground without a lift or ladders. The tilting base is bolted to the foundation. The construction is described in the guide to flagpole mechanics.

External and internal halyard

On a pole with an external halyard, the halyard runs outside the pole and is tied to a cleat. On a pole with an internal halyard, it runs inside the pole and is handled behind a lockable hatch. The internal construction reduces halyard slap in the wind and protects the flag from vandalism and theft, which is why it is often used on the poles of businesses, municipalities and housing companies.

The telescopic pole

A telescopic pole consists of sections that slide inside each other and are pulled out for use. It is common at cottages and among boaters, for example, because it can be carried and stored short. Telescopic poles are mainly available in shorter lengths.

Wall and balcony poles

A wall pole is fixed to a house wall or balcony with a bracket, and the flag is attached directly to the pole. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, an omalippu or facade flag is a Finnish flag on a staff about 130 centimetres long, and it has become more common on small plots where a field pole can be hard to fit. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the same flying times apply to a facade flag as to other flags.

When choosing a wall pole, the Ministry of the Interior points out that the flag needs enough room to fly freely in every direction. At half-mast, the flag on a wall pole is placed at the middle of the pole, according to Suomalaisuuden Liitto.

Roof and facade poles

Public buildings and commercial buildings have roof poles and poles projecting horizontally or at an angle from the facade. Their fixings bear on the building’s structure, so the strength of the structures is taken into account in the design. The municipal building control authority can say whether provisions in the building ordinance or local detailed plan apply to such fixings.

Poles for businesses

Business premises often have a row of several poles for company and national flags. Poles of the same length are usually chosen, because in international flag flying the flags are of the same size and the Finnish flag’s pole is not taller than the others, according to Suomalaisuuden Liitto. Flag flying at businesses is described in the guide to flagpoles for businesses.

Type of pole and building permit

Under the Building Act, a building permit is required for a mast at least 30 metres high. Ordinary flagpoles are lower, but the municipal building ordinance and local detailed plan may contain provisions on building methods, for example. More information is in the guide to flagpole installation. Flagpole materials are described in the guide to flagpole materials.