Flagpole mechanics: halyard, anti-theft and tilting

The mechanics of a flagpole are simple, but the variants change how the flag is raised, how it is protected and how the pole is maintained. This guide explains how the common systems in France work.

Halyard and pulley

On a single pole, the flag goes up by the halyard, an endless or two-ended rope that runs through a pulley at the top. The flag is attached to the halyard with snap hooks, at the top and bottom of its edge on the pole side. Pulling the other side raises it to the top; the halyard is then wound in a figure of eight around the cleat to lock it. To lower it, the halyard is undone and let run.

According to the flag maker Doublet, the flag on a single pole is changed from the ground using the halyard, without a ladder or an aerial platform.

Outside or inside halyard

• Outside halyard: it runs along the pole and is locked on an accessible cleat. It is the simplest and cheapest system.
• Inside halyard (anti-theft): it runs inside the pole and comes out through a lockable hatch. According to Doublet, this system protects against theft and damage and avoids the noise of the halyard resonating against the pole in wind or gusts.

The revolving truck

Many poles have a revolving truck mounted on a bearing: it turns with the wind and carries the halyard with it, which limits the flag wrapping around the pole. A truck that no longer turns freely is a common cause of a wrapped or torn flag. More on this is in the guide to flagpole maintenance.

Arm, counterweight and crank

On a pole with an arm, the banner hangs from a horizontal arm at the top, and a counterweight holds it at the bottom while letting it fly. According to Doublet, the design is changed by a tilting base plate on the pole with one arm, with a pole hook on the pole with two arms, or by a crank system on some models, which raises and lowers the banner along the pole.

Tilting

A pole fixed on a tilting base plate pivots around an axis at its foot: once the locking bolts are removed, the pole lies down, so a pulley, halyard or banner can be changed on the ground. Without this system, work at the top of the pole needs a means of access at height, such as an aerial platform. According to the INRS, falls from height are the second cause of fatal work accidents, after road risk; more on this is in the guide to flagpole safety.

Half-mast

On a pole with a halyard, half-mast consists, according to the Ministry of the Interior’s protocol guide, of lowering the flag to half the height of the pole. The halyard is then locked on the cleat at the desired height. On a façade staff or a pole with an arm, where the flag cannot come down, a black ribbon is tied to the top. More on this is in the guide to half-mast.