METAL FLAGPOLE MANUAL | | AA M M ACL UL SS UU aaa en ace Ge aayMETAL FLAGPOLE MANUAL Compiled and edited by WAYNE F. KOPPES, FAIA JACK M. ROEHM, PE Technical Consultants to NAAMM Published and distributed by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTURAL METAL MANUFACTURERS 221 NORTH LASALLE STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601NAAMM disclaims any responsibilty or lability of any kind in connection with the material contained in the METAL FLAG- POLE MANUAL and makes no warranties, expressed or im plies, of any kind whatsoever respecting the information Contained in the METAL FLAGPOLE MANUAL. Furthermore, none of the contents of the Manual shall be construed as a fecommendation of any patented or proprietary application that may be included in such contents, Copyright 1980 by National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers Chicago, tlinoisCONTENTS Introduction... 6... eee ae beeen een ees Page Pole Types and Flag Sizes............ «s+. Page Materials, Fabrication, Finishes. . . . Page Construction Details & Data... 6... eee . Page Wind Load Test Data... kee eee eee Page Guide Specifications...............005 . Page Maintenance. ...... cee cette ete eens Page Flag Etiquette . . Page Voluntary Code of Practice... 2... eee Page Glossary of Terms. .........006 sete eee Page oN w& 22INTRODUCTION Since the days of the Romans flagpoles have adorned ‘our public bulidings and spaces, and in modern times their importance as architectural features is unques: tioned. They are a requirement for goverment buildings, an important adjunct of most public buildings’ and, in their simpler forms, the pride of many homeowners. We see flagpoles everywhere, not only in our cities but throughout the countryside. But unless their design is unique they seldom receive much attention. Generally speaking, they are taken for granted by the casual observer. Architects are well aware, however, that, like other unnoticed features of a building, flagpoles don't just happen. Someone has to determine the proper type of pole to be used, the appropriate material, size and finish, and how it is to be installed. Someone else has to manufacture it in accordance with the specitica- tions of the purchaser. Just as with any other architec tural feature, this requires an adequate knowiedge of the product itis for the purpose of providing the design profes- sions with such essential information that this Manual has been prepared. As the following brief history reveals, the flagpole industry has been active for many years. But this is the first publication, as far as we know, that has been designed to present com: prehensive unbiased information to assist architects in the proper selection, specification and installation of all kinds of metal flagpoles and their accessories. Though flagpoles have been used for centuries, it wasn't until early in this century that companies engaged solely in their manufacture and sale were formed. Prior to that the flagpole was usually made by a carpenter, who cut down a suitable straight tree, neatly trimmed the trunk and planted it firmly in the ground. its purpose was more functional than decorative. When something more sophisticated was desired, the services of a mast and spar maker were employed, and poles were fashioned from spruce or pine shipped down from Canada. Such poles were shaped with draw Knives, sanded to a fine smooth finish and hand rubbed with animal fat. The rubbing process often required several days, to insure total Saturation of the wood and a long life for the pole. Ex- pertly crafted wooden poles of this kind could be ex- pected to last fifty years or more. Some still stand to- day, having outlasted some of their successors made of siee!, It was in the early 1900's that stee! flagpoles were introduced. Their design was inspired by the tele- scopic steel trolley wire poles being made by the Na- tional Tube Division of U.S. Steel, and consisted of sections of heavy pipe of decreasing diameters welded together with telescoped joints. By the mid-1930's these telescopic sectional, or "'swaged,” steel poles were dominating the flagpole market and had forced the wooden poles into obsolescence. Hav- ing a form generally similar to the pleasing tapered form of wooden poles, they remained popular for many years, gradually giving way to tapered poles as new metal forming processes were introduced. In re- cent years the telescopic sectional stee! pole has, in turn, become obsolete. During the 1930's the Union Metal Manufacturing ‘Company began making tapered steel shafts for pile driving and for ship's cargo booms. The few smail flagpole manufacturers then operating soon recog- nized the potential of such shafts for use as flagpoles and the tapered steel flagpole was born. It soon became popular, and by 1950 most poles were of this type. ‘The next development in flagpole design was also, ironically, the by-product of another industry. It was the significant innovation being made by the manufac- turers of aluminum street lighting standards, also in the 1930's, that led to the introduction of the tapered aluminum flagpole, which today constitutes the bulk of the flagpole business. Now metal flagpoles are being made not only of steel and aluminum but also of bronze and stainless steel, and all are available in a wide variety of types. and sizes. All of these poles are tapered, like the wooden poles of the past, but the designer now has a choice of two forms of taper. One is the older straight- line conical taper, the other a parabolic curved en- tasis taper like that of the columns of classic Greek architecture. A wide variety of finishes is now aval able, too, especially on aluminum poles. Moderndevelopments in production techniques have reduced manufacturing costs, making even the more expen: sive bronze and stainless steel poles well within the budgetary limits of major projects. In brief, the flagpole industry, though relatively ‘small, has a substantial history of continuing product improvement, always keeping abreast of changing times and technical advances. Though flagpoles are comparatively simple products, there are a good many variables to be considered in properly selecting, specifying and using them. Today there is a pole for every budget and every requirement. Itis imperative, therefore, that those responsible for their procure: ment be well informed regarding not only the range of products currently available but how they should be used. ‘This Manual is not a catalog from which to select and order flagpoles, but an authoritative and compre- hensive reference source for up-to-date technical in- formation about them. After first identifying and illus trating the various types of pole, it explains briefly what materials are used for them, how the poles are made and the finishes employed. One section con: tains construction details of pole mounting methods and fittings, together with comprehensive listings of ‘common pole dimensions in the various metals. A section on wind load test data presents the results of testing which was completed in November 1979. This is new information. It provides the specifier and designer with data on forces which flags will exert on oles under wind velocities up to 100 m.p.h. Also pro- vided are complete guide specifications, arranged in the format of the Construction Specifications Institute and covering all possible variables. Other sections of the Manual deal with the maintenance of flagpoles, Federal regulations governing flag etiquette, the i dustry's recommended code of practice and detini- tions of terms. Al of the information herein provided represents the consensus recommendations and objective ad Vice of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of ‘metal flagpoles, all of whom are members of the Flag: ole Division of NAAMM. The work of developing the Manual has been the responsibility of a committee representing these companies and has extended over a period of several years. All of these manufacturers stand ready at all times to supply additional informa- tion about their products and advice concerning their Installation and use. It is particularly important that designers and specifiers seek such advice when special conditions or unique requirements are en- countered. One of NAAMM's primary objectives is the encour- agement and promotion of good practice in all work involving architectural metal products of any kind. It this Manual fuifls its intended purpose it will serve to further that objective. Comments from users of the manual will be appreciated.