Flagpole mechanics in Mexico: external and internal halyards and cranks

Raising and lowering the flag is a daily task at thousands of schools and offices in Mexico. Under article 17 of the Law on the National Arms, Flag and Anthem, designated staff make sure the flags of public buildings are raised and lowered on time. The mechanism of the flagpole decides how this is done. This guide explains the most common systems.

External rope

This is the standard system. A rope or halyard, nylon on the poles of Astabanderas de México, runs up the outside of the pole, passes over a pulley at the top and comes back down. The flag is attached to the rope with clips or snap hooks through its eyelets, raised by pulling the rope and secured by tying the rope off on the cleat near the base.

The revolving anti-wrap pulley turns with the wind and follows the movement of the flag, so that it does not wrap around the pole. With this system the flag can stop at any height, which allows it to fly at half-mast. The guide to half-mast explains when this happens.

The external rope is within anyone’s reach, and in the wind it can slap against the pole. The guide to flagpole maintenance covers its wear.

Internal hoisting

With internal hoisting, the rope runs inside the tube. According to Astabanderas de México, it can be installed in poles with an internal diameter of more than 6 inches, about 15 centimetres, and the flag is hoisted through a locked access door, with a crank or both. The maker presents it as a system for greater security and to prevent vandalism, as the rope is neither visible nor within reach.

Crank

With a crank, the flag goes up or down by turning a handle, without pulling the rope directly. Astabanderas de México offers it as an option on its poles, alone or together with the locked access door of internal hoisting.

Telescopic poles

Some flagpoles are made in sections that fit into each other. Banderas México offers tapered or telescopic monumental poles. The sections make tall poles easier to transport and assemble; the guide to flagpole transport covers this point.

Monumental flags

Monumental flags measure at least 25 by 14.3 metres and can weigh about 230 kilos, like the one at the San Jerónimo roundabout, according to Forbes México. Under the 1999 decree, the Ministry of National Defence is the only body authorised to raise and lower them, in order to give these civic acts due solemnity.

Is the flag lowered at night?

Under article 16 of the law, at the buildings and places in article 15 the flag stays raised every day of the year, except in unforeseeable cases or force majeure. The law sets no hours for raising and lowering at civilian buildings. The guide to flag lighting covers the flag at night, and the guide to flagpole accessories describes the parts of each system.