DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 194-1:2016  
Second  Edition  
2016 -03-03 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 194-1: 2016 
© UNBS 2016   
  
Nails — Part 1: Steel nails — Specification  
 DUS 194-1: 2016 
ii © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2015   
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to 
The Executive Director 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
P.O. Box 6329 
Kampala 
Uganda 
Tel: 256 414 505 995 
Fax: 256 414 286 123 
E-mail: info @unbs .go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 194-1: 2016  
© UNBS 2016 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents Page 
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................ iv 
1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 1  
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................ 2  
3 Symbols .................................................................................................................................................. 2  
4 Requirements ......................................................................................................................................... 3  
4.1 Materials and manufacture ................................................................................................................... 3  
4.2 Surface coating ...................................................................................................................................... 3  
4.3 Form and dimensions ........................................................................................................................... 3  
4.3.1  Nail point ................................................................................................................................................ 4  
4.3.2  Nail shank ............................................................................................................................................... 4  
4.5 Workmanship ......................................................................................................................................... 6  
4.6 Finish ...................................................................................................................................................... 7  
5 Dimensions and tolerances .................................................................................................................. 7  
5.3 Length ..................................................................................................................................................... 7  
5.4 Nominal characteristic dimension, d ................................................................................................... 8  
6.5 Weights ................................................................................................................................................... 8  
7 Sampling and testing ............................................................................................................................ 8  
8 Packaging and labelling ........................................................................................................................ 8  
9 Designation for ordering ....................................................................................................................... 8  
10 Certificate of compliance ...................................................................................................................... 9  
Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 
 DUS 194-1: 2016 
iv © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda, as amended.  UNBS is mandated to co-
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT Agreement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academicians, manufacturers, government and other stakeholders. 
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
US 194-1 was prepared by Technical Committee UNBS/TC04 , Mechanical Engineering and metallurgy .  
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (US 194-1: 2001) which has been technically 
revised.  
US 194 consists of the following parts, under the general title Nails — Part 1: Steel nails — Specification  
:  
— Part 1: Steel nails  
— Part 2: Cooper nails 
— Part 2: Aluminium nails  
 
 UGAND A STANDARD  DUS 194-1: 2016  
 
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  1 
 Nails — Part 1: Steel nails — Specification  
1 Scope 
1.1 This Part of the standard specifies requirements, including dimensions and finish, for the type of steel 
nails listed in 1.1 .1 and 1.1.2. 
This Uganda Standard specifies requirements for preferred form and dimensions, tolerance on dimensions 
and surface coating of loose steel wire nails for general applications.  
NOTE: The nearest former s.w.g numbers are included in a separate column in each table for convenience only. They 
should not form part of the specification. 
1.1.1  Wire nails 
1. Convex head roofing nails (chisel or diamond points) 
2. Pipe nails (chisel point) 
3. Hardboard panel pins (round shank) 
4. Hardboard panel pins (square shank) 
5. Lath nails 
6. Plasterboard nails (jagged shank) 
7. Tile pegs 
8. Tram nails with flat or raised head with chisel point 
9. Square twisted shank flat head nails 
10. Dowels 
11. Tenter hooks 
12. Annular ringed shanked flat head nails 
13. Helical threaded shank flat head nails 
14. Duplex head nails 
1.1.2  Cut nails  
1. Cut clasp nails 
2. Cut floor brads 
1.2 The types of nails are illustrated in the diagrams accompanying tables 1- 16  
2 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 1. Round plain head nails 
2. Round lost head nails 
3. Clout or slate head nails 
4. Extra-large head clout or felt nails 
5. Panel pins 
6. Oval brad head nails 
7. Oval lost head nails 
8. Spring head twisted shank nails 
9. Wash head slab nails 
2 Normative references 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. 
ISO 1461; Hot dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and steel articles – specification and test methods 
ISO 16120-1, Non-alloy steel rod for drawing and/or cold rolling — Part 1: General requirements. 
ISO 16120-2, Non-alloy steel rod for drawing and/or cold rolling — Part 2: Specific requirements for general 
purpose rod. 
US ISO 16120-3, Non-alloy steel rod for drawing and/or cold rolling — Part 3: Specific requirements for 
nominal and rimmed substitute low carbon steel rod. 
US ISO 16120, Non-alloy steel rod for drawing and/or cold rolling — Part 4: Non-alloy steel rod for drawing 
and/or cold rolling. 
US ISO 22034-2, Steel wire and wire products — Part 2: Tolerances on wire dimensions  
US ISO 7989, Steel wire and wire products — Non-ferrous metallic coatings on steel wire — Part 1: 
General principles. 
US ISO 7989-2:2007, Steel wire and wire products -- Non-ferrous metallic coatings on steel wire -- Part 2: 
Zinc or zinc-alloy coating 
US ISO 2081, Electroplated coatings of zinc on steel. 
3 Symbols  
The symbols given in this clause apply to nails according to this European Standard. The symbols are 
illustrated in figure 1. The following symbols should be used: 
d  nominal characteristic dimension 
dh  diameter of head DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  3 
 l  nail length including head and point. 
NOTE For spring head twisted shank nails the nail length, 1, does not include the head. 
 
Figure 1 — Symbols for nails 
4 Requirements 
4.1 Materials and manufacture 
Nails shall be produced from wire drawn from rods produced in accordance with ISO 16120 Parts 1 to 4. 
Nails produced in accordance with this Uganda Standard shall not be subjected to heat treatment after 
fabrication except for that incurred during surface coating. Where heat treatment is applied after fabrication 
the purchaser shall be informed. 
Cut nails shall be made from black rolled steel. 
4.2 Surface coating 
The surface of the wire nails shall comply with one of the following: 
a) Uncoated. The surface of the nails shall be free from rust; 
b) Zinc coated or zinc alloy coated, with a minimum zinc purity of 98.5 % in the outer surface of the coating, 
by one of the following alternatives: 
1. Hot dipped to provide a minimum coating of 300 g/m2 at an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 10 
%; 
2. Barrel coated to provide a minimum coating of 300 g/m2 at an AQL of 10 % of nails with nominal 
characteristic dimensions greater than 2.6 mm; 
3. Electroplated zinc coatings in accordance with ISO 2081; 
4. Other zinc or zinc alloy coating methods such as sheradizing or mechanical zinc plating as 
agreed between purchaser and supplier. 
c) Lacquered, cement coated or phosphate coated. 
4.3 Form and dimensions 
The form and preferred dimensions are given in tables 1 to 12. 
NOTE Other lengths having incremental steps usually of 5 mm are possible subject to agreement between purchaser and 
supplier.  
4 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 4.3.1 Nail point 
The following types of nail points shall be used: 
a) diamond point; 
 
b) diamond point offset; 
 
c) round point; 
 
d) chisel point; 
 
e) cut point. 
 
4.3.2 Nail shank 
The following forms of nail shank shall be used: 
(a) plain shank; 
 
(b) indented shank; 
 
(c) spiral rolled shank; 
 
(d) ring rolled shank; 
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  5 
 (e) twisted shank; 
 
(f) grooved shank. 
 
The cross-section of nail Tables 1 to 12. Nominal nail characteristic dimensions for indented, spiral rolled and 
ring rolled shanks are as for plain shank. 
Nominal characteristic dimension (d): The dimension of an unrolled part of the shank as shown above. 
4.3.3 Nail head 
The top surface of the nail head shall be smooth or chequered. 
NOTE The top surface of the head may be marked by using raised or sunken letters, signs or numbers. 
The following types of head shall be used: 
a) circular flat head; 
 
b) countersunk head; 
 
c) lost round head; 
 
d) lost oval head; 
 
e) brad oval head; 
  
6 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 f) flat countersunk; 
 
g) cup head; 
 
h) spring head; 
 
i) washer head; 
 
j) clout head 
 
The following surface of the head may be smooth or chequered. 
1. smooth head 
 
2. chequered head: 
 
4.5 Workmanship 
Nails shall be straight and true in shape. The head and tip should conform to the different nail geometry 
referred in table 1 - 16 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  7 
 4.6 Finish 
4.6.1 Oxidation 
The surface of all nails shall be free from excessive oxidation. 
4.6.2  Wire nails 
The finish of wire nails shall be one of the following: 
a) bright; 
b) galvanized;  
c) cement-coated (resin-coated); and 
d) an alternative finish such as sherardized, cadmium plated or lead coated, as agreed between purchaser 
and supplier. 
4.6.3  Cut nails 
The finish of cut nails shall be one of the following: 
a) in the “as rolled” condition,  except for those sides which are made bright by the cutting process; and 
b) galvanized. 
4.6.4  Galvanizing 
The coating of galvanized wire nails and galvanised cut nails shall comply with the requirements of ISO 1461 
except the minimum coat weight shall be 300 g/m2 at a maximum Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 10%.  
5 Dimensions and tolerances 
The dimensions of nails shall be in accordance with Tables 1 to 16, subject to the following tolerances: 
5.1 Head diameter dh: ±5% (except for extra-large head clout or felt nails, which have a minimum diameter 
of 11 mm). 
The tolerance on the head diameter of nails shall be ± 0,05 . dh with a minimum of ± 0,2 mm.  
5.2 Shank diameter (dimension D) 
Round wire nails: when diameter is less than 2.65 mm, ±0.03 mm; when diameter is 2.65 mm and more, 
±0.05 mm. 
Cut nails : when not more than 50 mm in length, ± 0.10 mm; when over 50 mm and not more 100 mm in length, 
±0.15 mm; when over 100 mm in length, ±0.20 mm 
5.3 Length 
Wire nails: when diameter is less than 2.65 mm, ±0.5 mm; when diameter is 2.65 mm and more, ±0.8 mm. 
Cut nails: when not more than 50 mm in length, ±1.0 mm; when over 50 mm and not more 100 mm in length, 
±1.5 mm; when over 100 mm in length, ±2.0 mm 
The tolerance on the nail length shall be ± 0,5 . d.   
8 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 5.4 Nominal characteristic dimension, d 
The tolerance on the nominal characteristic dimension applies to the nail shank before coating. 
The nominal characteristic dimension tolerances on nails shall be T1 of ISO 22034-2 
6.5 Weights 
The approximate number of bright nails and cut nails per kilogram is given, for general guidance only, in 
Tables 1 to 16. 
7 Sampling and testing 
The manufacturer, is responsible for the control of product quality by the application of statistical methods of 
sampling and analysis of results with AQL values as agreed between purchaser and supplier. 
When required by the purchaser the coating weight of nails shall be tested in accordance with the gravimetric 
method in US ISO 7981-1 and ISO 7989-2. The total area shall be taken as (total shank area + 2 (head 
area)). 
8 Packaging and labelling 
Nails are usually supplied packaged in cartons by net weight or by an approximate number of nails. 
The label or text on the package shall give the following: 
a) number of this Uganda Standard i.e. US 194-1; 
b) type; 
c) length and nominal characteristic dimension; 
d) surface coating; 
e) weight or approximate number of nails; 
f) manufacturer. 
9 Designation for ordering 
9.1 When designating steel nails in an enquiry or an order, the following information shall be given: 
(a) quantity required by weight; 
(b) type of nail; 
(c) finish required; 
(d) length in millimetres; 
(e) diameter or dimension D in millimetres; 
(f) Uganda Standard number. DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  9 
 (g) nominal characteristic dimension; 
(h) type and surface of head; 
(i) type of shank; 
(j) type of point; 
(k) surface coatings. 
Unless otherwise specified, nails with flat smooth circular heads, plain shanks and diamond points shall 
be supplied. 
9.2 Examples 
1) 25 kg plasterboard nails jagged shank, galvanized, 40 mm x 2,65 mm, to US 194-1 : 2016; 
2) 50 kg cut steel floor brads, 50 mm x 2,65 mm, to US 194-1: 2016. 
10 Certificate of compliance 
If required by the purchaser, the supplier shall certify that the nails comply with the requirements of this 
standard.  
10 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Table 1: Dimensions and approximate count of convex roofing nails  
(Chisel or diamond points) 
 
 
 
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  11 
 Table 2: Dimensions and approximate count of convex roofing nails (Chisel points) 
 
 
 
Table 3: Dimensions and approximate count of hardboard panel pins (round shank) 
 
Table 4: Dimensions and approximate count of hardboard panel pins (square shank) 
  
12 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Table 5: Dimensions and approximate count of lath nails 
 
Table 6: Dimensions and approximate count of plasterboard nails 
Jagged shank 
 
 
Table 7: Dimensions and approximate count of tile pegs 
 
Table 8: Dimensions and approximate count of tram nails  
with flats or raised head and chisel point 
 
 
  DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  13 
 Table 9: Dimensions and approximate count of squared twisted shank flat head nails 
 
 
Table 10: Dimensions and approximate count of dowels 
 
 
Table 11: Dimensions and approximate count of tenter hooks 
  
14 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Table 12: Dimensions and approximate count of annular ringed shank flat head nails 
 
 
Table 13: Dimensions and approximate count of helical threaded shank flat head nails 
 
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  15 
 Table 14: Dimensions and approximate count of duplex head nails 
 
Table 15: Dimensions and approximate count of cut clasp nails 
 
Table 16: Dimensions and approximate count of cut clasp nails 
 
  
16 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Table 17 — Dimensions for circular, flat, flat countersunk and cup head, plain shank nails  
 
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  17 
 Table 18 — Dimensions for circular, flat and flat countersunk head, grooved shank nails 
 
  
18 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Table 19 — Dimensions for circular, flat and flat countersunk head, square shank nails 
 
 
Table 20 — Dimensions for lost round head, plain shank nails 
 
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  19 
 Table 21 — Dimensions for lost round head, grooved shank nails 
 
 
 
Table 22 — Dimensions for lost round head, plain shank nails 
 
  
20 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Table 23 — Dimensions for clout head, plain shank nails 
 
 
Table 24 — Dimensions for extra-large clout head nails 
 
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  21 
 Table 25 — Dimensions for countersunk panel pin head, plain shank nai ls 
 
 
Table 26 — Dimensions for springhead, square twisted shank nails 
 
1) d Measured over the diagonals 
  
22 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Table 27 — Dimensions for washer head plain shank nails 
 
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  23 
 Table 28 — Dimensions for lost oval head and brad oval head oval plain shank nails 
 
  
24 © UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography 
[1] BS 350-1, Conversion factors and tables —Basis of tables — Conversion factors  
[2] BS 1202, Specification for nails — Steel nails  
[3] EN 10230- 1, Steel wire nails — Loose nails for general application  
 DUS 194-1 : 2016  
© UNBS 2016  – All rights reserved  25 
 Certification marking 
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 194-1: 2016    
 
ICS nn.nnn.nn  
Price based on nn pages 
© UNBS 2016 – All rights reserved