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Why You Need High Security Hasps, Staples and Padbars

We regularly remind people about the importance of securely locking things up. Doors and windows are the primary routes used by criminals to break into our homes and businesses so in this post we highlight the important role played by high security hasps, staples and padbars in keeping us safe and secure.

Keeping doors and windows securely locked is the primary defence against unwanted intruders, both at home and at work. Burglars are always on the lookout for easy targets so unlocked doors and windows can be an irresistible temptation.

While modern doors and windows generally include multipoint locking systems there are many situations in which older doors, windows and gates are used. These can present a challenge in how to make them robustly secure. High security hasps, staples and padbars provide exactly what’s needed.

What are Hasps and Staples?

We are probably all familiar with hasps and staples without necessarily knowing that’s what they are called. A hasp and staple is a piece of door hardware typically used to secure gates, shed doors, outbuilding doors and more. Hasps and staples are sometimes used to secure the lids of external storage containers and some people in shared accommodation (such as students) use them to secure their rooms and personal storage cupboards.

The staple element generally consists of a tough, steel loop that’s firmly bolted or screwed in place. The staple mates with a slot in the hinged hasp that fits over it. A padlock is then typically used to secure the hasp in position.

A wide variety of hasps and staples are available, from cheaper, lower quality components to heavy duty, high security products, certified as compliant with recognised security standards.

The best available hasps and staples for security applications are manufactured from thick, high quality steel with hardened staples, resistant to cutting attacks. They feature fully-concealed bolt-through fixings and, when used in conjunction with a high security padlock, provide a high level of intruder deterrence and protection.

What’s the Difference Between a Hasp and a Latch?

Since we are talking about hasps it`s worthwhile clarifying the difference between them and latches.

Both latches and hasps are common fastenings used to keep gates and doors closed. Latches are available in a wide variety of designs, some of the most common being Suffolk latches and Norfolk latches. These familiar latch designs have been in widespread use since the 16th century. They feature a bar which keeps the door closed by fitting into a notch or slot in the matching keeper or striker plate. The latch is opened by manually lifting the bar or by pressing a lever on the opposite side of the door. The design of latches like these means doors will ‘latch’ in the closed position automatically when the door is closed.

A hasp, as noted, has a slot that fits over a matching staple. This needs to be carried out by hand and the hasp assembly isn’t secure until a locked padlock is in place. Doors fitted with latches are sometimes secured using hasps, staples and padlocks. The latches keep the doors closed, perhaps during the day, while security hasps, staples and padlocks are used to lock doors when not in use.

How to Measure a Hasp

It`s important to understand how the dimensions of hasps and staples are represented. Looking at our Hardened Steel - Hinged Security Hasp and Staple with fixings you will see three quoted dimensions:

• Dimension A = 10mm. This is the diameter of the staple aperture.
• Dimension B = 100mm. This is the length of the hinged section of the hasp which folds over the top of the hasp fixings and mates with the staple that passes through the slot.
• Dimension C = 35mm. This is the width of the hasp.

When considering the size of a required hasp and staple these are the dimensions to assess. The aperture size in the staple determines the size of padlock shackle that will fit through it.

Right angle padlock hasps are also commonly used. These feature hasps with slots at right angles to the door on which the hasp is mounted, enabling the mating staples to be mounted on an adjacent structure at right angles to the door.

How to Install a Hasp and Staple

Installing hasps and staples is well within the capabilities of anyone who has some basic DIY skills, along with a few tools. Hasps and staples are typically used to secure doors to their door frames or possible pairs of double doors. They are also commonly used to secure lids on boxes and lockers, such as toolboxes or outdoor meter boxes.

Tools you will need:

• Pencil or pen
• Drill with appropriate drill bits
• Screwdriver
• Appropriate fixings / fastenings.

It`s important to consider the fixings that will keep the hasp and staple in place. Low quality fastenings will present a security weakness which is why through-bolts or security screws are always recommended.

And a question that people often ask is: Should the staple go on the door or the door frame? The answer is the staple should be securely attached to the door frame. Of course, if the hasp and staple is intended to secure a pair of double doors then one side will host the hasp while the other door has the staple.

Start by holding the hasp in the location where it’s to be fixed, making certain the hasp slot is in the right location for the staple. Swivel the hinged hasp out of the way to reveal the fixing plate screw holes. Mark exactly where each hole is needed ready for drilling.

Drill the holes, as required for the selected fastenings. For example, if through-bolts are being used to hold the hasp firmly in place then the hole diameter should be just large enough to allow the bolts to pass through to engage with nuts on the inside. If security screws are being used then the hole diameters must be appropriate for the chosen size of screws. Having drilled the holes, mount the hasp plate on the door and tighten the fastenings.

With the hasp in place locating the staple on the door frame is simple. Hold the staple plate in position, where it comfortably mates with the hasp slot, and mark the location of each mounting hole. As for the hasp, drill the holes and firmly attach the staple to the door frame using high quality security fixings.

Invest in High Security Padbars

For high security applications padbars are an excellent choice. A fine example of a top quality padbar is the Squire Stronghold STH100 padbar, designed to be used with the Squire SS100CS padlock. Both the padbar and padlock have achieved the maximum security rating of CEN6.

The design of this exceptional padbar has some outstanding features that underpin it`s ‘maximum security’ rating. The cast padbar body is made from incredibly strong, long-lasting material and mates with a hardened staple that’s designed to rotate, providing excellent attack resistance. And although the assembly is compact, with a hasp length of 184mm, width of 86mm and material depth of 32mm, it weighs around 3.1kg which is indicative of the robustness of this padbar design.

Layered Security

The hasps, staples, padbars and padlocks you use to lock your doors and protect your valuables are all vital elements in your security arsenal. It`s always worth remembering that any security implementation is only ever as strong as the weakest part of the system. This is why it`s essential to identify weaknesses and do what’s needed to bolster security to keep your property and belongings safe and secure.

If you have any questions about hasps, staples, padbars or padlocks remember we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 475500 and we’ll be happy to provide free, expert advice.

This message was added on Thursday 29th September 2022