Alimak Hek keeps Australian flag flying

Hoist manufacturer Alimak Hek is celebrating 25 years of service to the Australian Government.

In 1986, Alimak Hek designed, manufactured and installed two industrial hoists for one of Australia’s most iconic and historical buildings: Parliament House, which opened in 1988, in the capital city of Canberra.

The building has an 81 m stainless steel flagpole, flying a 25kg Australian flag, anchored to four bow-formed steel legs. Alimak Hek was brought in to provide access to the flagpole for maintenance and changing of the flag. The firm designed, manufactured and installed two specially designed rack and pinion hoists, bolted directly onto the stainless steel leg, so that they were hidden from public view.

The dual elevator access solution included one elevator to travel the 61 m up the southeast flagmast leg, at a 40° inclination, to the first landing platform, and a second elevator to continue the additional 24 m to the apex of the tapered flagpole.

The lower elevator has a capacity of 300kg and is equipped to carry three persons at a speed of 9m/min. The upper elevator, with a capacity of 100kg, is equipped to carry a single person the additional 24m to the very top of the flagpole, allowing personnel to reach the external ropes, pulley system and the hoisted flag.

Alimak Hek continues to service and maintain the elevators at Parliament House.