Flagpole mechanics in Italy: external and internal halyards

The mechanics of a flagpole are simple: a rope, the halyard, runs over a pulley at the top and allows the flag to be raised and lowered. There are, however, differences in how the halyard runs and is protected. D.P.R. no. 121/2000 also says something about the manoeuvre: when the Tricolore is flown with the European flag, it is raised first and lowered last.

External halyard

With an external halyard, the rope runs along the outside of the pole. The flag is attached to the halyard with snap hooks, and the halyard is tied to a cleat near the bottom. It is the simplest and most common solution at homes.

Internal halyard

With an internal halyard, the rope and a counterweight run inside the tube. The halyard comes out through an opening with a lockable box near the bottom. This solution is common for schools, companies and public spaces.

Pulley and top

The pulley at the top is the part that works hardest. If it sticks or wears, the halyard runs with difficulty or jumps off. On a pole with a hinged base, the pulley can be replaced with the pole lowered. The most common problems are described in the guide to flagpole repair.

Rotating arm

A rotating arm at the top, mounted on a bearing, turns with the wind and keeps the flag spread out. It stops the flag wrapping around the pole, which often happens in light winds with changes of direction. Some poles have a rotating ring instead of a halyard.

Raising and lowering

The flag is attached to the halyard by the snap hooks on the hoist, with the green next to the staff, as legislative decree no. 1 of 1946 provides. The halyard takes it up to the pulley, where it stays while the halyard is tied to the cleat or locked in the box. When the halyard is released, the flag comes down.

With the Tricolore and the European flag on two poles, the Tricolore is raised first and lowered last, under article 2 of D.P.R. no. 121/2000. The regulation also provides that flags are not raised before sunrise and are lowered at sunset, and permits flying at night only if the place is adequately lit.

Half-mast

The regulation provides for half-mast as a sign of mourning but does not describe the manoeuvre. In many countries it is common practice to take the flag to the top first and then lower it to half-mast, and to raise it to the top again before lowering it. The subject is covered in the guide to half-mast.

Poles without a halyard

Telescopic poles and many balcony staffs have no halyard: the flag stays at the top or is slipped onto the staff with a sleeve. Half-mast is not possible on these staffs. The types of flagpoles are described in the guide to types of flagpoles, and the individual parts in the guide to flagpole accessories.