ASTM F1157-90(2001)

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Designation: F 1157 – 90 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Practice for
Classifying the Relative Performance of the Physical
Properties of Security Seals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1157; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice presents methods for testing the physical
properties of security seals. Where appropriate, the various F 832 Classification for Security Seals
tests include particular apparatus or procedural specifications F 883 Performance Specification for Padlocks
required for different types of security seals. F 946 Guide for Establishing Security Seal Control and
1.2 This practice will serve as a basis for comparing the Accountability Procedures
response of various security seals under different modes of F 1158 Guide for Inspection and Evaluation of Tampering
attack. The security seal to be evaluated shall first be placed in of Security Seals
an appropriate classification, and then tested in the manner
3. Terminology
designated as most suitable for that class of seal, in accordance
3.1 Definition:
with Classification F 832.
3.1.1 seal—a passive, one-time locking device which is
NOTE 1—See Guide F 1158 for procedures on the inspection and
used to indicate tampering or entry, afford limited resistance (to
evaluation of tampering of security seals.
entry) or provide a combination of both functional aspects.
1.3 A security seal is a device intended to detect tampering
or entry. Single use locking devices are to be evaluated under 4. Summary of Practice
this specification. Therefore, the following procedures are to
4.1 A security seals shall be evaluated in accordance with its
reflect the relative performance of security seals when subject
classification into one of five general groups and its perfor-
to various physical attacks.
mance in the following: a test to determine pull strength, a
1.4 This practice is not intended to be fully comprehensive,
shear cutting test, a bending test, an impact test, a low-
since certain types of security seals, such as labels, are not
temperature impact test, and a high-temperature pull test. A
addressed. Further, it is the responsibility of users of this
total of 18 seals shall be used to complete minimum testing.
practice to interpret their specific security needs concerning the
4.2 A security seal shall receive a rating designation which
application of seals, and to determine the grade of seal
denotes its general classification and its performance in each of
appropriate for their particular application. ASTM assumes no
the required tests. This rating shall be obtained by testing three
responsibility for losses occurring as a result of a defeated seal
individual seals in each specific test, and by taking the average
whether the defeat is apparent or the seal is not suited for its
of the data points.
application.
1.5 The values as stated in inch-pound units are to be 5. Seal Classification
regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are given
5.1 General—For the purpose of defining the most appro-
for information only.
priate configuration by which to evaluate a security seal in
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
subsequent tests, a seal shall be classified as an initial step.
test procedures portion, Section 6, of this practice. This
5.2 For the purpose of comparing the physical properties of
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
security seals, seals are grouped in accordance with the
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
following description of application seals:
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
5.2.1 Groups:
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
5.2.1.1 Group 1—Flexible cable and wire seals.
tions prior to use.
5.2.1.2 Group 2—Strap and cinch seals.
5.2.1.3 Group 3—Rigid bolt and rod seals, including heavy
duty metal padlock type.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F12 on Security
Systems and Equipmentand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F 12.50on
Locking Devices.
Current edition approved Jan. 26, 1990. Published March 1990. Originally
published as F 1157 – 88. Last previous edition F 1157 – 88. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1157 – 90 (2001)
5.2.1.4 Group 4—Twisted rod or wire seals (pigtail).
5.2.1.5 Group 5—Padlock type seals, scored seals, metal or
plastic base.
5.3 If a particular security seal does not appear to fall into
any of these general classifications, the closest description shall
be chosen by the user, keeping in mind that effectiveness of the
testing procedures may be jeopardized by a faulty classification
choice. These general groupings shall be assigned the arbitrary
numerical listing of one through five, respectively, as shown in
5.2.1. This listing shall then be designated in the security seal’s
overall evaluation to serve as a reference indicating the
particular test configurations with which it was tested.
5.4 The required performance levels in any test category
(see Section 11) shall not be affected by this general classifi-
cation (see 5.2.1); only the manner in which the seal is
physically manipulated during subsequent testing shall be
affected by this portion of the evaluation. All seals will be
tested in a locked position.
5.5 Seals often have unique identification to prevent dupli-
cation and reapplication. Evaluation of this uniqueness is not
required.
6. Test Procedures
6.1 Pull (Tensile) Test:
6.1.1 Conduct a pull test to determine the strength of a
security seal’s locking mechanism. Apply a tensile load to the
locked seal in a manner that simulates a reversal of the motion
needed to lock the seal. Hardware necessary to perform this
test will be indicated by the configuration of the seal. See Fig.
1(a), (b), (c), and (d) for a schematic drawing of this test, as
applied to the various general classifications of seals.
6.1.2 Record the load required to forcibly open (or destroy
or damage) the security seal and compare it to the rating
requirements listed in Table 1. Assign the appropriate letter
(a) Groups 1 and 2,
designation to that security seal for performance in the pull
(b) Group 3,
test.
(c) Group 4, and
(d) Group 5.
6.2 Shear Test:
FIG. 1 Schematic Drawings of Pull (Tensile) Test as Applied to
6.2.1 Test security seals for ability to withstand cutting with
Security Seals:
shearing blades, as might be implemented with bolt cutters. To
perform this test, use hardware that is the same as the apparatus
TABLE 1 Pull (Tensile) Test Requirements for Grade
used in the Padlock Shackle Cutting Test in Performance
Classification of Security Seals at Room Temperature
Specification F 833. (See Fig. 2 for a drawing of this equip-
65°F (18°C), and at 180°F (82.2°C)
ment.) This equipment may suffice for testing all classifications
Load to Failure (lbf (N)) Seal Grade Level Awarded
of security seals, with the possible exception of thin metal or
5001 or more F
plastic bands, such as strap or cinch seals. In such cases, it is
3001 to 5000 E
1001 to 3000 D
conceivable that a slight misalignment in the cutting blades
201 to 1000 C
would not sever the seal, only deform it. In this instance, use a
51 to 200 B
more precise cutting apparatus which incorporates sharp,
1to50 A
well-aligned cutting blades.
6.2.2 Record the compressive load required to sever the NOTE 1—1 lbf = 4.448222 N = 0.4536 kg.
security seal and compare it to the rating levels given in Table
2. Assign an appropriate rating in the shear test.
6.3 Bending Test: and test rigid seals for resistance to deformation by bending to
6.3.1 Conduct a bending test to determine the resistance of a specified degree. Test padlock type seals (Groups 3 or 5)
a security seal to fail under bending loads in this test. Because using particular methods appropriate for those seals, as out-
various designs allow for seals to be categorized as either lined in 6.3.6 and 6.3.7. Failure is access gained (see Table 3).
flexible or rigid, test configurations to make appropriate 6.3.2 Flexible seals include those seals classified as being
selections for bending resistance rating must first be made. Test cable or wire seals (Group 1), or strap or cinch seals (Group 2),
flexible seals for ability to withstand repeated bending loads, plastic or metal. Secure such flexible seals allowing enough
F 1157 – 90 (2001)
protruding part of the seal with pliers, and moving the pliers
from side to side through an arc of 180°. Define the movement
through one such arc as one cycle in this test.
6.3.3 Record the number of flexing cycles sustained by the
seal prior to failure, and after comparing with the values given
in Table 4, give such flexible seals a rating for performance in
the bending test.
6.3.4 Rigid seals include those seals classified as bolt or rod
seals, steel padlock type (Group 3), or twisted rod or wire seals
(Group 4). Secure such rigid seals making sure in the case of
the Group 4 seals that enough material beyond the twisted
region of the seal remains available for gripping in the t
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