What is a Hasp and Staple?
Many of us see, use and rely upon hasps and staples every day. In our latest blog we clarify exactly what this vital piece of security hardware is and why high quality hasps and staples are essential.
The word ?hasp? is possibly derived from the Old English term ?haepse? which meant ?fastening? or ?clip?. This is related to the Old Norse word ?hespa? and the Middle Dutch and German term ?haspe?, meaning clamp, hinge or hook.
Hasps and staples are commonly used to secure doors, gates, lockers and other entrances. Shed, garage and barn doors often use hasps and staples, along with padlocks, for door security. And you will often see hasps and staples securing the lids of roadside grit and salt bins
What is a Hasp?
The hasp part of the hasp and staple pairing is generally a hinged plate or bent wire. When the securing padlock is removed from the staple this component hinges outward, disengaging from the staple, allowing the door, gate or locker cover to be opened.
What is a Staple?
The staple is the rigid metal loop that engages with the hinged hasp. When the door or gate is closed the hasp fits over the staple and a padlock shackle is passed through the staple to prevent the hasp from being released.
Are Hasps and Staples Secure?
There are many different designs and types of hasps and staples on the market today. They vary from the most simple form of zinc-plated wire hasps to super-tough, hardened steel, high security hasps and staples.
Factors that affect the level of security offered by a hasp and staple include the materials used in manufacture, the hasp and staple design and importantly, how the hasp and staple is installed and used. Using a low quality hasp and staple with a robust padlock presents an obvious security weakness. And poorly installing and high security hasp and staple is another potential security risk.
High quality hasps and staples, when properly installed and coupled with high security padlocks, present robust door security that?s enough to deter and prevent unwelcome intrusion.
Where are Hasps and Staples Used?
Exterior doors and gates are often locked and secured using hasps and staples. Garage doors, shed doors and property gates are typical applications where hasps, staples and padlocks provide security.
Rural properties, farms and industrial premises are extensive users of hasps and staples. Farms use hasps and staples on barn doors along with gates into fields and farm yards. And these important security fastenings are also commonly used to secure vital fuel oil supply tanks.
Councils use hasps and staples to secure a wide variety of premises and items. We?ve already mentioned the lids of roadside grit and salt bins that need to remain closed but accessible when the weather demands road treatment. Gates to allotment sites are often secured using hasps and staples, along with padlocks. Boat storage locations and marinas commonly used hasps and staples for gate and entrance security. And locked storage areas in parks and gardens often rely on hasps and staples to keep tools and park maintenance machinery and equipment secure.
The Ministry of Defence, along with the armed forces, also rely on high quality hasps and staples for securing gates, entrance doors and properties. Robust hasps and staples are a key defence against undesirable intruders gaining access to all manner of essential military equipment.
If you look around you can see that hasps and staples are ubiquitous. They provide vital security everywhere from domestic environments to high risk locations where robust security is essential.
Which Hasp and Staple is the Best Choice?
When considering which hasp and staple is the best option, the context in which the fastening is to be used is a primary consideration. For example, a hasp and staple for a garden gate, locked to prevent small children from venturing off the property, might be a relatively simple, low security device. Whereas a hasp and staple that?s appropriate for securing a shed, garage or bicycle storage locker, where high value bikes, motorbikes and equipment are kept, should be tough enough to withstand potential attacks from determined thieves.
Useful indicators of hasp and staple robustness include Secured by Design and Sold Secure approvals along with CEN security ratings. For example, our HS1 Heavy Duty Hasp and Staple has achieved Sold Secure certification along with CEN4 approval and Secured by Design police accreditation.
But we know how difficult it can be to determine which hasp and staple, along with an appropriate padlock, is right for a specific job. This is why we provide a totally free advisory service where we guide people toward making the right choice, even if we don?t supply what?s needed. Give us a call on 01273 475500 and we will help you decide which is the best hasp and staple for your needs.
Measuring Hasps and Staples
Getting the measurements right is vitally important when selecting a hasp and staple for a particular application. In general, a hasp is often attached to a door while the staple is firmly attached to the door frame. But hasps and staples are also commonly used to secure a pair of double doors to one another or the lid of a locker or container. The size of the aperture in the staple determines the range of padlock shackles that will fit through it.
The key dimensions to consider include:
- Dimension A = This is the diameter of the staple aperture. The HS1 has a 15mm aperture enabling the use of high security padlocks.
- Dimension B = 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. The HS1 hasp is around 225mm.
- Dimension C = This is the width of the hasp. The HS1 is 75mm wide.
In some situations, hasp and staple door fastenings are required to effectively work around corners where the hasp is on the door but the staple is on a surface at right angles to the door. Right angle padlock hasps are specifically designed to cope with these situations.
Hasp and Staple for Shed Door Security
As noted, sheds, garages and outbuildings are typically secured using hasps, staples and padlocks. But door security is only one important aspect of shed or outbuilding security.
When planning secure storage for valuables, such as bikes and motorbikes, its a good idea to think like a thief. Thieves are always on the lookout for valuable vehicles they can easily resell or break down for parts, so its essential not to advertise the fact that you own desirable bikes, motorbikes or scooters. Social media is one way in which thieves gain intelligence regarding who owns valuable bikes and motorbikes. They might also spot rubbish, left outdoors, that tells them the home occupier is a biker, so its important to break up any packaging that might be a tell tale sign and thoroughly conceal it in the household rubbish or recycling.
Another important consideration is exactly where the shed or bike storage locker is located. High fences and hedges can usefully prevent observation from the road, but they can also offer a screen behind which a thief can break into the shed without being seen. Ideally, if a shed has windows, these should be obscured to prevent anyone seeing what?s stored inside. Another important security precaution is to ensure the shed is firmly attached to the ground. If its on a concrete surface it should be firmly bolted down to prevent the whole structure from being tipped over. And the structure of many basic wooden sheds offer easily lifted rooftops. Security can be significantly enhanced by reinforcing the shed structure and strengthening the areas where the roof is attached to the shed frame.
Its important not to leave anything lying around outside that could be used by a thief to gain access to your bike storage shed. Spades, for example, are commonly used by burglars to pry open doors and windows so its important to make certain garden tools, ladders and anything else that might be used to break-in, are always securely locked away.
We?ve previously provided extensive guidance in home and perimeter security. Gravel driveways and paths, for example, can?t be walked on without making a noise and this can be enough to deter criminals. Motion triggered security lighting is another easily installed property security enhancement along with CCTV and alarm systems.
Shed door security is vitally important. But there is no point in having a robust, secure entrance door if the shed windows are weak. All methods of entry into a bike storage shed should be thoroughly protected. A heavy duty hasp and staple on the shed door is strongly recommended and ideally these components should be attached using security fastenings that can?t be accessed or easily undone. Its also important to use a high quality, closed shackle padlock that offers the highest level of protection, to work with the hasp and staple.
Another important aspect of shed door and window security are the hinges. Standard fixings and fastenings, that attach the hinges to doors and frames, can generally be easily undone by anyone with basic tools. Replacing hinges with good quality, secure hinges and robustly attaching them to the shed frame using security fastenings or coach bolts is recommended. This is another reason why the shed frame can benefit from reinforcement and strengthening in areas where hinges are attached.
As we have previously recommended, valuable items such as bicycles and motorbikes, stored inside a shed, should be securely chained and padlocked to immovable anchor points. If a thief has managed to overcome the door security they will be faced with a further challenge which can be enough to send them packing.
How to Install a Hasp and Staple
Installing a high quality hasp and staple for a shed door, outbuilding door or gate is relatively simple and well within the capabilities of someone with basic DIY skills and the right tools. An important aspect of this installation is the choice of fastenings that will hold the hasp and staple in place. Our HS1 Heavy Duty Hasp and Staple is supplied with all the fastenings and drill bit required for installation.
The tools required for the installation are:
- Pencil or pen
- Power drill (battery or mains)
- Appropriately sized drill bits (determined by the selected fastenings)
- Driver tool that works with the security fastenings.
The hasp and staple installation procedure is as follows:
- Hold the hasp in the position where its to be fitted and make certain the hinged section comfortably reaches where the staple is to go.
- Mark the locations for the hasp fixing holes.
- Double check the hasp positioning to make certain it`s correct.
- Drill holes for the hasp security fastenings.
- Mount the hasp and tighten the security fastenings using an appropriate tool.
- Open the hinged hasp and position the staple where its to be fitted.
- Make certain the hasp can be readily hinged over the staple before marking the locations for the staple fixing screws or bolts.
- Double check the staple location before drilling holes for the fastenings.
- Attach the staple using appropriate bolts or security fastenings.
If you have any questions about hasps and staples, or if you have any special requirements, remember we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 475500 and we?ll provide you with free, expert advice.
This message was added on Friday 19th July 2024
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