Wind Load Chart
Ground set Tapered Aluminum Flagpoles Wind Load Chart
The map below shows the maximum steady wind expected at an elevation of thirty five feet above ground level within a fifty year period of recurrence. Areas with the same maximum constant or steady wind speed are indicated.
Because wind speeds are usually not constant, and gusts are involved, flagpoles (both flagged and unflagged) are listed in the Flagpole Store with a constant wind speed and a 1.3 gust factor.
Flagpoles and their associated wind speeds listed assume that ten percent of the overall length of the flagpole is buried at or near ground level per industry recommendations. Special engineering may be required for other applications such as wall or roof mounted flagpoles. Contact us for a prompt response regarding any situation that may require special engineering.
Safe flagpole design required knowledge of the loads to which they will be subjected. Principal load acting on flagpoles is wind load and hat load must be carefully determined. Maximum wind speeds to which flagpoles are exposed are dependent upon many factors such as geographical location, whether or not it is in the center of a large city, a small towns outskirts, seashore, at ground level or on the roof of a high building. Wind speeds generally are higher along coastal areas than inland. They are also higher in open country than in the center of cities. Wind speed also becomes greater as height above ground increases. wind exerts a force on the flagpole as well as the flag, thus both loads must be added to determine total load. Flags of different sizes are designed to be flown from different flagpoles.
It's Important that flagpoles be selected which are capable of supporting the largest flag intended to be flown in the highest wind speed to which it will be subjected. Loads on flagpoles are resisted by the mounting foundation, roof, or wall to which it is secured.
PLEASE NOTE: Recommended flag sizes throughout the Flagpole Store do not represent a warranty that the flag size shown may be safely flown in all wind speeds. Personal injury, flagpole damage, property damage can occur when flying over-sized flags and banners or fling flags in higher winds than recommended.