ASTM Updates Lock Standard.

With the prevalence of lock bumping and the myriad of manufacturers’ claims of bump resistance, ASTM International determined that Standard F883 needed to include resistance to lock bumping. A committee of security experts including locksmiths, lock manufacturers and a representative from the Department of Defense Locks, Safes, Vaults, Seals & Containers Program, established the new testing criteria that is used to determine a lock cylinder’s ability to resist break-ins using lock bumping techniques and the performance requirements to achieve each of the six grade levels of resistance. ASTM International published the revised standard in December, 2009.

The new test criteria have been applied in tests comparing pin tumbler locks commonly used in padlocks as well as door hardware. Locks from just two manufacturers met and exceeded Grade 6 ASTM Standards, those with BumpStop technology from Master Lock and American Lock.