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A halyard is the rope
that raises and lowers the flag. Internal
halyards are quite simply halyards that have
the working part running inside the pole.
External halyards run outside the pole.
Internal halyards generally have concealed
access, often lockable, that makes flag theft
more difficult by vandals. There is no such
thing as a vandal proof flagpole, but internal
halyards offer cost effective vandal resistance
to varying degrees. The different methods
of concealing access to the halyard determine
the effectiveness of vandal resistance. The
most effective is the flush fitting hatch
cover, followed by the sliding collar, the
winch, protruding cast aluminium cover and
least effective of all is the hinged door
with key lock.
Most internal halyards rely on a weighted
necklace to act as a counterweight and control
the |
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bottom of
the flag, although some flags with battens
in them require an additional, lower halyard,
to tension the flag so it flies correctly.
Another side benefit of internal halyards
is lack of noise. Everyone can recognise the
slapping noise of an external halyard on the
side of a flagpole in strong winds. With internal
halyards this noise, and the dirty rub marks
associated with it, are minimised.
In summary, an internal halyard system is
probably worth the extra cost in situations
where the public has access to the pole.
You don’t have to lose many flags to
thieves to appreciate the benefits. The down
side is that raising flags is slightly more
complicated and takes a few minutes longer,
than with an external halyard. |
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Flush Fitting
Access Hatch
Flagpole Showing
Counterweight Necklace
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Internal
Halyards