A Brief Guide to Uses and Types of Tamper Evident Security Seals

Security seals are simple devices used to deter and detect the unsanctioned opening of closures. Unlike a lock that depends more on its strength to deter thieves, a Tamper Proof Seal discourages breaking open or tampering because it leaves behind evidence of unauthorized access. This evidence informs users of seal tampering, enabling them to investigate and take preventive steps. While a Tamper Seal usually does not stop unauthorized entry, a high-strength seal can deter many thieves who don’t care about leaving evidence of theft from indulging in thefts of convenience. Unlike locks, you can use most seals only once because opening them destroys them.

Seal Violation and Discovery

Thieves can violate seals in many ways. Some don’t bother about hiding the evidence while others try to sneak open the seals and try to hide the violation to try and fool untrained observers. These attempts can include the replacement of the entire Plastic Tamper Seals with clones, modification of markings, part substitution, etc. Users may discover the seal tampering when a trainer person inspects them, but in many cases, thieves rely on non-detection of the violation. Once the user discovers a violation, he can take steps to investigate the time and place of the occurrence of the violation. It may take several attempts to establish how the violations happen and who is responsible.

Different Types of Seals

Indicative Seals: The most common type of seals, indicative seals provide evidence of tampering, but pilferers can easily cut or break the seals by hand or using light tools. For this reason; the industry refers to them as Tamper Evident Security Seals, though virtually every kind of seal provides evidence of tampering. Tamper-evident tapes and seals also fall in this seal category. A Tamper Evident Seal finds applications in valves, control levers, ballot boxes, money bags, utility meters, storage bins, lockers, and more.

Security Seals: Thieves cannot break security seals as easily as indicative seals since they need more effort and stronger tools. The extra strength prevents the seal from breaking accidentally or easy access without tools. You can find seal cables commonly used on the same applications as indicative seals but usually for high-value or high-risk items, like fuel tankers, high-value utility meters, hazmat lockers, sensitive points of access, etc.

High-Security Seals: These seals are built stronger to resist casual vandalism or theft and need stronger tools to open. ISO-17712:2013 specifies the standards of minimum resistance to pushing, pulling, and bending these seals must offer. All high-security Tamper Proof Safety Seals carry the manufacturer name and the ‘H” mark and must have a test certificate issued by an independent ISO-approved facility. Some typical uses of these seals include long-haul trucks, railroad cars, and ocean containers.

Conclusion 

The choice of a security seal depends on the application and the device size. You also must decide the degree of resistance the seal should provide to deter thieves and vandals, besides the duration and environment of use.

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