Effective Date: 4/29/02

Series: Administrative Services

Part 310: General

Chapter 5: Flags

Originating Office: National Business Center

5.2 Responsibilities.

A. The National Business Center (NBC), is responsible for establishing and disseminating Departmental policy and guidance regarding flags.

B. Bureaus and offices are responsible for flying flags in accordance with Departmental policy stated in this chapter.

5.3 Flag of the United States of America.

A. Policy.

C. Specifications. The height of a flagpole and whether it is a ground pole or a roof pole determines the size of the flag to be flown. The following serves as a guide:

D. Half-Staffing. The U.S. flag will be flown at half-staff on occasions specified in Presidential Proclamation 3044, and when so directed by the Secretary of the Interior.

(1) The NBC will notify bureau headquarters of occasions when half-staffing is required.

(2) Bureaus should disseminate the information contained in Presidential Proclamation 3044 to all field activities which have flag flying responsibility and establish internal notification procedures to ensure compliance with half-staffing requirements. Bureau headquarters will notify affected field activities on these occasions.

E. Unserviceable Flags. Torn, frayed, soiled, or otherwise damaged flags are unserviceable and will not be flown. Flags should be inspected daily before being raised for the day. Unserviceable flags may not be discarded in the trash, but will be disposed of by burning, out of public view, and in a way which does not constitute a fire hazard.

F. Procurement. The U.S. flag may be purchased through GSA Federal Supply Sources.

5.4 Flags of the Department of the Interior.

A. The Interior Department Flag (Department Flag). The Department flag will be displayed or flown only in conjunction with the flag of the United States of America and only as specified in this chapter.

(1) Displaying and Flying the Department Flag.

(a) Interior-controlled Installations. The Department flag will be flown in conjunction with the U.S. flag at the entrance to, near, or over the main administration and headquarters buildings at all Department of the Interior-controlled installations. The flag should be displayed in the Offices of the Secretary, Solicitor, Assistant Secretaries, Inspector General, and the headquarters and regional headquarters of bureaus and offices. It may also be displayed or flown at official functions and special occasions, such as dedications, ceremonies, press conferences, etc.

(b) GSA-controlled Installations. GSA's Public Building Service is responsible for displaying and flying flags at GSA-controlled buildings. For special occasions, approval may be obtained from the appropriate GSA Regional Office to fly the Department flag at the entrance to, near, or over Interior-occupied buildings under GSA control.

(c) Leased Facilities. The Department flag will be flown at leased facilities which are solely occupied by the Department, where leasing arrangements (and GSA policy) permit.

(2) Description. The official flag of the Department of the Interior is 4 feet 5 inches on the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly. As shown in Illustration II, the color is light blue and white, arranged in four alternate triangles. The four quadrants represent these original major activities of the Department: Fish and Wildlife, Mineral Resources, Water and Power, and Public Land Management. In the center of the flag is depicted the Departmental seal, 26 inches in diameter.

(b) Outdoor Flag. The flag for outside use is made of nylon without the gold-colored fringe. This flag is complete with a canvas heading and metal grommets.

(c) Department Vessel Flag. The vessel flag is 22 inches on the hoist by 32 inches on the fly and is fabricated from nylon cloth.

(3) Procurement. Department flags may be purchased from the NBC for authorized use only.

F. Bureau Flags. Bureaus having authorized flags will issue directives governing the policy, custody, and use of such flags in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Bureaus will submit design modifications of existing bureau flags and proposed designs for new flags authorized by statute to the Director of the National Business Center for Departmental review and coordination.

(1) Bureau flags may be displayed in conjunction with the U.S. and Department flags in headquarters and regional headquarters offices occupied by officials at the level of Regional Director or above and at official ceremonies and functions of the bureau presented to the general public.

(2) Bureau flags may not be displayed higher than the U.S. or Department flag.

(3) Bureau flags may be flown at facilities which are solely occupied by the bureau, provided the U.S. and Department flags are also flown on separate flagpoles, if an additional flagpole is available for this purpose.

5.5 Protocol for United States and Department of the Interior Flags.

A. Display of the U.S. flag with various flags of the Department of the Interior will be in the following order:

(1) United States flag.

(2) Department of the Interior flag.

(3) Secretary of the Interior flag (when Secretary is present).

(4) Deputy Secretary flag (when the Deputy Secretary is present).

(5) Assistant Secretary flag.

(6) Bureau flag(s).

B. When displaying flags of the various agencies or equivalent, the protocol is established by the Department of State.

5.6 Other Flags and Pennants. The Director of the National Business Center (for Interior-operated and leased space) and the Regional Administrator or other appropriate GSA official (for space operated by GSA or leased by GSA and operated by the building owner) may authorize the flying of flags and pennants, other than those described in this chapter, as appropriate, provided flags and flagpole space are available for this purpose.

A. Foreign Flags. Foreign flags are flown on individual staffs at the same height as and to the right of the U.S. flag, as shown in Illustration II.

B. State Flags. State flags may be flown on the anniversary of statehood, on state holidays and on other special occasions, at the request of the State government or with permission from the NBC.

C. City Flags. On the anniversary of the founding of the city and on special occasions, at the request of the City government or with permission from the NBC.

D. Bureau Flags. The order of protocol for bureau flags not covered in this chapter is (1) U.S. flag; (2) Department flag; and (3) Bureau flag. Bureau flags may not be larger than or flown higher than the U.S. or Department flags.

4/29/02 #3399

Replaces 4/3/90 #2889