PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS DEAS 914  
First  Edition  
2018-mm-dd 
 
 Reference number  
DUS DEAS 914 : 2018 
© UNBS 2018 
   
Mild steel nails — Specification  
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS DEAS 914: 2018  
ii                © UNBS  2018 - 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  
© UNB S 2018 
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: +256 417 333 250/1/2 
Fax: +256 414 286 123 
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS DEAS 914: 2018  
© UNBS  2018 - All rights reserved                iii National 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.  
This Draft Uganda Standard, DUS DEAS 914:2018 , Mild steel nails  — Specification , is identical with and has 
been reproduced from an East African Standard, EAS 914:2018, Mild steel nails — Specification , and is being 
proposed for adoption as a Uganda Standard. 
This standard was developed by Mechanical engineering and metallurgy Standards Technical Committee 
(UNBS/TC 4).  
 
This standard cancels and replaces US 194-1:2016, Nails — Part 1: Steel nails — Specification. 
Wherever the words, “ East African Standard " appear, they should be replaced by "Uganda Standard." PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 
 
  DEAS 914:2018 
 
 
DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD 
DEAS 914:2018 - Mild steel nails - Specifications  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY 
 
 
 
 
 
  
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 
 
  DEAS 914:2018 
 
Copyright notice 
This EAC document is copyright-protected by EAC. While the reproduction of this document by 
participants in the EAC standards development process is permitted without prior permission from EAC, 
neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form for 
any other purpose without prior written permission from EAC. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purpose of selling it should be addressed as 
shown below or to EAC’s member body in the country of the requester:  
© East African Community 2016 — All rights reserved 
East African Community 
P.O. Box 1096 
Arusha 
Tanzania 
Tel: 255 27 2504253/8 
Fax: 255 27 2504481/2504255 
E-mail: eac@eachq.org 
       Web: www.eac-quality.net 
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement. Violators 
may be prosecuted. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 
 
  DEAS 914:2018 
Foreword 
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged within 
the Community will be removed.  
In order to achieve this objective, the Community established an East African Standards Committee mandated 
to develop and issue East African Standards.  
The Committee is composed of representatives of the National Standards Bodies in Partner States, together 
with the representatives from the private sectors and consumer organizations. Draft East African Standards are 
circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the Partner States. The comments received 
are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in accordance with the procedures of the 
Community. 
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing.  
DEAS 914:2018 , was prepared by Technical Committee EASC/TC 035 Steel and Steel 
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Mild steel nails – Specifications  
1 Scope  
1.1 This East African Draft Standards specifies requirements, for preferred form and dimensions, tolerance on 
dimensions finish and surface coating, for the type of steel nails and of loose steel wire nails for general 
applications.   
The types of nails are listed in 1.1.1 and 1.1.2.  
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 include:  
a) convex head roofing nails (chisel or diamond points);  
b) pipe nails (chisel point);  
c) hardboard panel pins (round shank);  
d) hardboard panel pins (square shank);  
e) lath nails;  
f) plasterboard nails (jagged shank);  
g) tile pegs;  
h) tram nails with flat or raised head with chisel point;  
i) square twisted shank flat head nails;  
j) dowels;  
k) tenter  hooks;  
l) annular ringed shanked flat head nails;  
m) helical threaded shank flat head nails; and  
n) duplex head nails.  
o) Round checkered / plain head nails 
1.1.2  Cut nails include:   
a) cut clasp nails; and  
b) cut floor brads  
1.2 The following types of nails are illustrated in the diagrams accompanying tables 1- 30:  
a) round plain head nails;  
b) round lost head nails;  
c) clout or slate head nails;  
d) extra-large head clout or felt nails;  
e) panel pins;  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT                                                                                                                                                                      
  
© EAC 2016      First Edition 2016  
 f) oval brad head nails;  
g) oval lost head nails;  
h) spring head twisted shank nails; and  
i) 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 2081, Electroplated coatings of zinc on steel   
ISO 7989 (all parts), Steel wire and wire products — Non-ferrous metallic coatings on steel wire    
ISO 16120 (all parts), Non-alloy steel rod for drawing and/or cold rolling    
ISO 22034- 2, Steel wire and wire products — Part 2: Tolerances on wire dimensions    
3 Symbols   
The following symbols apply to nails specified in this standard and are illustrated in Figure 1:   
d - nominal characteristic dimension;  
dh - diameter of head;  
l - nail length including head and point.  
NOTE  For spring head twisted shank nails the nail length, l, 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. Nails produced in 
accordance with this 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.  
The nails shall be manufactured from mild steel wire having a minimum tensile strength of 600 N/mm2 
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:  
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 i) hot dipped to provide a minimum coating of 300 g/m2 at an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 10 %;  
ii) 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;  
iii) electroplated zinc coatings in accordance with ISO 2081;   
iv) iv) 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  
4.3.1 General  
The form and preferred dimensions are given in tables 1 to 29 .  
NOTE Other lengths having incremental steps usually of 5 mm are possible subject to agreement between 
purchaser and supplier.  
4.3.2 Nail point  
The following types of nail points shall be used:  
a) diamond point;  
 
b) diamond point offset;  
 
c) round point;  
 
d) chisel point; and  
 
e) cut point.  
 
 
4.3.3 Nail shank  
The following forms of nail shank shall be used:  
a) plain shank;  
 
b) indented shank;  
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c) spiral rolled shank;  
 
 
d) ring rolled shank;  
 
 
e) twisted shank; and  
 
 
f) grooved shank.  
 
 
 Nominal nail characteristic dimensions for indented, spiral rolled and ring rolled shanks are as for plain 
shank.  
4.3.4 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;  
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d) lost oval head; 
 
e) brad oval head; 
 
f) flat countersunk; 
 
g) cup head; 
 
h) spring head; 
 
i) washer head; and  
 
 
j) clout head.  
 
The following surface of the head may be smooth or chequered:  
a) smooth head; and  
 
b) chequered head. 
 
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 4.4 Workmanship  
Nails shall be straight and true in shape. The head and tip should conform to the different nail geometries referred 
in tables 1 –  28. 
4.5 Finish  
4.5.1  Oxidation  
The surface of all nails shall be free from rust at the time of selling 
To prevent oxidation nails shall be stored in dry place at all time. 
4.5.2  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, as agreed between purchaser and 
supplier.  
e) bright polished  
f) Unpolished 
4.5.3  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.  
4.5.4  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  
5.1 General  
The dimensions of nails shall be in accordance with tables 1 to 29, subject to the tolerances in 5.1 to 5.4.  
5.2 Head diameter ( dh)  
dh =  d × 1.75 , where d is shank diameter in mm, except for extra-large head clout or felt nails which have a 
minimum of diameter of 11mm 
5.3 Shank diameter (dimension D)  
The following tolerances shall apply for:  
a) round wire nails:   
• when diameter is less than 2.65 mm, ± 2.5%  mm; and  
• when diameter is 2.65 mm and more, ± ± 2.5%mm;  
b) cut nails:   PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT                                                                                                                                                                      
  
© EAC 2016      First Edition 2016  
 • when not more than 50 mm in length, ± 2.5%mm;   
• when over 50 mm and not more 100 mm in length, ± 2.5%; and when over 100 mm in length, ± 
2.5% mm.  
5.4 Length  
The following tolerances shall apply for:  
a) wire nails:   
• when diameter is less than 2.65 mm, ± 2.5%; and  
• when diameter is 2.65 mm and more, ± ± 2.5%mm;  
b) cut nails:   
• when not more than 50 mm in length, ± 2.5%mm;   
• when over 50 mm and not more 100 mm in length, ± 2.5%mm; and  
• when over 100 mm in length, ± 2.5%mm  
5.5 Nominal characteristic dimension, d  
The tolerance on the nominal characteristic dimension applies to the nail shank before coating.  
6 Sampling and testing   
6.1 Lot 
In any consignment, all the packages of nails of the same type and size manufactured under essentially similar 
conditions shall be grouped together to constitute a lot  
6.2 Selection of nails 
One sample package shall be selected from five packages or part thereof up to a maximum of 10 samples. From 
each sample package, 125 g of nails or 50 nails, whichever is greater, shall be taken and form the bulk sample. 
From the bulk, 125 g of nails or 50 nails in the latter case shall be taken for the test. 
6.3 Dimensional and visual characteristics  
All samples shall be checked for the following requirements:  
a) nominal length L  
b) nominal shank diameter d  
c) nominal head diameter dh  
d) eccentricity of head e  
e) diamond point   s  
f) workmanship   
g) freedom form burrs, cracks, flaws and other manufacturing defects  
h) nail should be straight and true shape  
When required by the purchaser, the coating weight of nails shall be tested in accordance with the gravimetric  
method in ISO 7989. The total area shall be taken as [total shank area + 2 (head area )]. 
7 Packaging and Marking 
7.1 Nails of different sizes and types shall be packed in different containers. 
7.2 Nails shall be supplied in any appropriate packing materials and the net mass of each bag shall be 
either 10kg, 25kg or 50kg. May also be packed in small packages containing 1 kg and 5 kg 
7.3 The nominal net mass of each bag shall have a tolerance of ±1 %.  
7.4 The marking on the package shall give the following:  
a) manufacturer's name and trade mark, if any   
b) type of nails  
c) length of nails  
d) net mass of the package   
e) country of origin .  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT                                                                                                                                                                      
  
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 The nails shall be stored in dry place 
8 Designation for ordering  
8.1 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) East Africa standard reference number.  
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.  
8.2 Examples of designating steel nails in an enquiry or an order include:  
(a) 25 kg plasterboard nails jagged shank, galvanized, 40 mm x 2,65 mm, to DEAS 914:2018; and 
(b) 50 kg cut steel floor brads, 50 mm x 2.65 mm, to DEAS 914:2018.  
9 Certificate of compliance  
If required by the purchaser, the supplier shall certify that the nails comply with the requirements of this standard. 
Table 1 — Dimensions and approximate count of convex roofing nails (chisel or diamond points)  
 
 
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Table 2 — Dimensions and approximate count of convex roofing nails (chisel 
points)   
  
 
 
Table 3 — Dimensions and approximate count of hardboard panel pins (round shank)  
Reference
 
Nail Ref  Length, I Shank 
Diameter , d Head 
diameter,1.4
×d 
Inches  min. 
mm nom.  
mm Max.m
m Min. 
mm Ma
x. 
mm Min. 
mm Max.  
mm 
MSPPN200  2 47.50  50 51.25  1.8 2 2.50 2.80 
MSPPN 150  1 1/2  39.00  40 41.00  1.8 2 2.50 2.80 
MSPPN 125  1 1/4  29.25  30 30.75  1.8 2 2.50 2.80 
MSPPN100  1 24.38  25 25.63  1.7 1.9 2.30 2.60 
MSPPN 75  3/4 19.50  20 20.50  1.6 1.8 2.20 2.50 
MSPPN 75A  3/4 19.50  20 20.50  1.37 1.4
4 1.92 2.02 
 
  
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Table 4 — Dimensions and approximate count of hardboard panel pins (square shank)  
 
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  
 
24/02/2017  
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Table 8 — Dimensions and approximate count of tram nails with flats or raised head and chisel point  
 
 
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 tenterhooks  
 
Table 12 — Dimensions and approximate count of annular ringed shank flat head nails  
  
 
  
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Table 13 — Dimensions and approximate count of helical threaded shank flat head nails  
 
 
Table 14 — Dimensions and approximate count of duplex head nail  
Requested by Richard Ebong  
24/02/2017  
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Table 15 — Dimensions and approximate count of cut clasp nails  
 
  
Table 16 — Dimensions and approximate count of cut clasp nails  
 
Table 17 — Dimensions for circular, flat, flat countersunk and cup head, plain shank nails 
with tolerance of ±2.5%   
 
  
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Nail 
reference  NOMINAL WIRE 
DIAMETER  
± 2.5%  
mm NOMINAL  
LENGTH  
mm 
± 2.5%  MINIMUM HEAD 
DIAMETER  
d×1.75  
mm 
MSN  1″  1.90 25.4 3.15 
MSN 1 1/2″  2.35 38.1 3.85 
MSN 2″  2.90 50.8 4.73 
MSN 2 1/2″  3.45 63.5 5.78 
MSN 3″  3.95 76.2 6.65 
MSN 4″  4.55 101.6  7.53 
MSN 5″  5.35 127 9.10 
MSN 6″  5.85 150.4  9.98 
KEY 
MSN represents  mild steel nail  
MM represents dimensions in millimeters  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT                                                                                                                                                                      
  
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 Table 18 — Dimensions for circular, flat and flat countersunk head, grooved shank nails  
 
 
 
 
Table 19 — Dimensions for circular, flat and flat countersunk head, square shank nails  
 
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Table 20 — Dimensions for lost round head, plain shank nails  
  
 
Table 21 — Dimensions for lost round head, grooved shank nails  
 
24/02/2017  
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© EAC 2016      First Edition 2016  
  
Table 22 — Dimensions for lost round head, plain shank nails  
 
 
 
Table 23 — Dimensions for clout head, plain shank nails  
Nominal diameter the tolerance to be taken as ± 2.5%  and head diameter to be 
calculated as dh =  d × 1.75 
  
Requested by Richard Ebong  
24/02/2017  
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© EAC 2016      First Edition 2016  
   
 
Table 24 — Dimensions for extra-large clout head nails  
 
  
 
Table 25 — Dimensions for countersunk panel pin head, plain shank nails  
 
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Table 26 — Dimensions for springhead, square twisted shank nails  
 
1) d measured over the diagonals  
 
 
Table 27 — Dimensions for washer head plain shank nails  
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Table 28 — Dimensions for lost oval head and brad oval head oval plain shank nails  
 
 
 
Requested by Richard Ebong  
  
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Table 2 9 — Dimensions for U- nails  
Length, L  Shank diameter, d  Dimension, E  
Nominal 
(mm)  Tolerance 
(%) Nominal 
(mm)  Tolerance 
(%) Nominal 
(mm)  Tolerance 
(mm)  
25 ± 2.5 2.7 ± 2.5  11 1 
32 ± 2.5  3.5 ± 2.5  11 1 
40 ± 2.5  3.5 ± 2.5  11 1 
40 ± 2.5  3.8 ± 2.5  11 1 
50 ± 2.5  3.8 ± 2.5  11 1 
 
 
Table 30: Dimension for round checkered/plain head nails 
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Tolerances:  Nail length  = ±1mm , Shank diameter = diameter less than 2.65mm it’s± 0.03mm. When 
diameter is more than 2.65 its ±0.05mm