Choosing the Right Kind of Plastic Security Seal

Choosing the Right Kind of Plastic Security Seal

iSecurity Seals Team

In this article, we will go through with you what to look out for when selecting a tamper evident plastic security seal.

Plastic seals are the most commonly used tamper-evident devices across a broad range of industries and applications, including such everyday uses as securing container trucks, tankers, containers, machinery, cash & jewellery bags, utility meters, and fire extinguishers etc etc.

Here at iSecurity Seals, we are offering an extensive array of seal types and sizes, our friendly experts at iSS want to help you decide on the most effective and appropriate seal for your application. In this post, we take a closer look at several distinct types of plastic seals and their specific features and benefits. 

 Adjustable Length Security Seals

Adjustable length seals come in a variety of lengths and strengths, and can be pulled tight to effectively secure objects. These multi-purpose seals are used across a variety of industries, including the transportation, airline, supply chain, logistics, and loss prevention industries. Their adjustability, as well as their extensive print area, makes them a practical solution for a multitude of purposes, including securing trailers, railroad cars, cabinets, ballot boxes, evidence, and valuables-in-transit.

Fixed-Length Security Seals

Fixed-length seals deter tampering by featuring a highly-visible and secure single locking position at a specified length.  The most common versions of these seals are truck seals, twin tote seals, and padlock seals, which provide an excellent tamper-evident security solution.  Fixed-length seals are especially effective and popular in the transportation, supply chain, logistics, and loss prevention industries, particularly where the print area requirements are minimal.

Fixed-Length vs. Adjustable-Length

Fixed-length seals, whether plastic truck seals, twin tote seals, or padlock seals, are considered more tamper-evident due to their single locking position, which offers a more easily visible check on the integrity of the seal.  Although adjustable seals have excellent tamper-evident features, users must be aware of the need to cinch the seal as tightly as necessary for the particular application to eliminate any circumvention of a loose seal.  In addition, if the adjustable-length seal is not cinched tight, it leaves itself open to someone cutting it off, getting into which is now unsecured, and then reapplying the (now shorter) security seal. 

To address this issue, many adjustable seals contain visible indicators that will tell you if a seal has been cut and re-sealed; however, these indicators are usually visible only upon close manual inspection, which is not always part of the receiving protocol.  In the case of a fixed-length seal, the integrity indication is considerably simpler: the seal arrives either locked or un-locked.  Once a fixed-length seal is broken, it cannot be reapplied.

Cable Security Seals

Cable Security seals are mechanisms used to seal important containers, cargo trucks in a way that provides tamper evidence and some level of security. Such seals can help to detect theft or contamination, either accidental or deliberate.

Selecting the Right Seal

Security seals serve two primary and somewhat related purposes.  They are a trusted and cost-effective solution to deter tampering and theft, and they help provide a sense of security and safety.  The various different seal types are each designed to serve a distinct purpose, and selecting the right seal for your application means understanding each style’s distinguishing factors. 

Aside from length and seal type, the tensile or break strength of a seal is an important consideration. A seal securing a first aid kit will most likely require a low break strength to provide the security of a sealed kit while offering quick and easy access. In contrast, a seal used to secure a tanker truck in extreme weather conditions would certainly benefit from a considerably higher break strength. 

Plastic security seals have break strengths that range from UL Certified seals most commonly used to secure fire extinguishers, which break at less than 15 pounds, to extremely strong seals that require 150 plus pounds of force to break.  Understanding the desired break strength in your specific application is critical to selecting the most appropriate seal and a key component to a successful security program.

Here's How iSecurity Seals can help you.

Product quality, precise lead times, good customer service and cost competitive pricing are ALL important parameters, iSecurity Seals recognizes the need for security seals and protecting the global supply chain.
 

Be sure you get the best fit for your seal requirements - Contact us to request for a sample today!

Alternatively, email our friendly staff today!