Client: KIER
Site Name: Manchester Aquatics Centre
Value: £96,000
Sector: Retail
Product Details: Aluminium Walkways, Fixed
Guardrail
Want to discuss your requirements?
Want to discuss your requirements?
There are many different sites and locations across the country with flagpoles installed. And for those with flagpoles installed at their property, it’s important to ensure that the flagpole is fit for purpose. Flagpoles are often installed high up on a building, exposing it to severe wind and weather conditions. If the system isn’t installed correctly or properly maintained, then this poses a serious risk.
At Altus Safety we offer a flagpole inspection testing and maintenance service where we function test all key parts of the flagpole, visually inspect it for obvious signs of damage, wear or tear, and provide you with a detailed report that acts as a compliance certificate or details next steps to improve the safety of the system.
Yes, flagpoles in the UK are primarily regulated by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). The Union Flag Flying guidance for UK government buildings also has some notes on proper care and maintenance.
PUWER and LOLER work together to detail what’s expected of flagpoles in terms of their design, installation, maintenance and compliance testing requirements. They make clear that:
All aspects of the flagpole must be inspected every 12 months. This includes:
The flag
Pole
Halyard
Pulleys
Holding down bolts
Wires
Shackles
Hooks
Pole carriers
Slings
A Compliant Flagpole must have all elements above either visually inspected or functionality tested to check for signs of damage with a subsequent inspection report being recorded until the next inspection has taken place.
Preventative maintenance should also follow if necessary to preserve your flagpole installation
If you have a flag or multiple flagpoles at your commercial property, then yes, every 12 months you are legally required to carry out a thorough flagpole inspection and compliance test, followed by any planned preventative maintenance work that may be required to keep your system in order.
Flagpoles fall under strict regulations and local authorities can issue fines for those who are found to be in breach of guidance.
At Altus Safety we’ve carried out work at various places throughout the UK (we offer a nationwide flagpole inspection testing and maintenance service). But to give you some examples of our usual clients, we most often deliver our flagpole inspection service at:
Town halls
City halls
Schools
Stately homes
UK Government buildings
And more!
If you have a flagpole installed at your commercial property then it’s your responsibility to ensure it is fit for purpose and safe in all weather conditions.
Without proper flagpole inspection every 12 months as required, your flagpole becomes a serious risk to others. At a commercial property where you’re likely to have visitors, workers, and members of the public passing by or entering the building, this is a huge problem. Flagpoles will always be installed securely originally, but over time their fixtures and fittings can become weak, dislodged, or simply become too old to do the job of securing your flagpole to your building. When this happens, all it takes is a strong gust of wind for the flagpole to become compromised and potentially fall. This can cause serious damage to your property and obviously poses a risk to people walking nearby. If you fail to have your flagpole inspected, and the worst should happen, you’ll face serious consequences as it’s your legal duty to ensure the flagpole is maintained and properly cared for.
It would obviously be unreasonable for the safety regulations and standards to expect you to climb up your flagpole each day to check it’s secure. However you can carry out visual inspections each day to check for any signs of damage. Better yet, you can be especially cautious about when you choose to fly your flag. Remember, if it’s windy at ground level, your flag will be experiencing even stronger gusts above. When strong winds are combined with heavy rain, this is when your flagpole is most at risk of being compromised. A heavy flag weighed down by rain, mixed with strong gusts can easily lead to the flagpole becoming dislodged. So never fly your flag in adverse weather conditions.
Absolutely! We’re a specialist height safety company that designs, installs, maintains and compliance tests a full range of working at height equipment and systems. One of the services we offer is flagpole inspection testing and maintenance, giving you confidence that your flagpole is working as it should.
Altus Safety offers support for a full range of working at height systems, which we can happily bundle together for you if you require additional support. Likewise, we’re also able to offer just a flagpole inspection service depending on your needs. With our training, experience, and expertise, we’re the go-to for height safety support across the UK. We offer dedicated account management, compliance-first testing and systems, and have a 100% height safe record, setting us apart from our competitors. You ask ‘why should I trust Altus Safety’? And we’d say ‘why wouldn’t you’?
Not necessarily. The equipment regulations discussed today are primarily focused on flagpoles on roofs, but tall ground mounted ones that can be affected by high winds should also take precautions. Not only should they be tested and not flown during adverse weather, their base plates should be tested to ensure they’re firmly secured to the ground.
Client: KIER
Site Name: Manchester Aquatics Centre
Value: £96,000
Sector: Retail
Product Details: Aluminium Walkways, Fixed
Guardrail
Client: Bristol City Football Club
Site Name: Bristol City Football Club –
Training Ground
Value: £7,000 Sector: Sport
Product Details: Horizontal Safety Systems
Client: Berkeley Group
Site Name: Royal Arsenal Riverside
Value: £68,000 Sector: Residential
Product Details: Davit Arms & Davit Sockets,
Freestanding Guardrail
Client: Premier Modular
Site Name: Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power
Station
Value: £180,000 Sector: Infrastructure
Product Details: Freestanding Guardrail,
Horizontal Safety Systems, Fixed Access
Ladders, Anti Slip Roof Walkways
Client: BAM
Site Name: Johnny Walker Experience
Value: £25,000
Sector: Leisure
Product Details: Abseiling Anchors, Ladder Ties & Ladder Restraints, Horizontal Safety Systems, Fixed Access Ladders, Stepover Platforms Walkway, Skylight Protection
Client: mace
Site Name: Finsbury Tower, London
Value: £21,000
Sector: Commercial
Product Details: Davit Arms & Davit Sockets
