Safety First: Innovations in Stapler Firing Mechanisms

Construction can be dangerous work. It is up to the site managers to ensure that safety precautions are put in place on site and it’s up to tool and equipment manufacturers to continually evolve their products to make them as safe as possible for the users. BECK has always focused on making the safest tools we can and some recent innovations in our medium wire staplers do just that.

Actuation Mechanisms

There are two mechanisms to fire a staple gun, sequential firing, and contact (or bump) firing. The style is determined by how the user operates the controls – both the trigger and safety contact tip. With sequential firing, the safety tip must first be actuated and then the trigger pulled to fire a single staple. In bump firing, simultaneously holding the trigger with the safety tip pressed against the surface releases the staples.

To take each of those a step further, there are actually four trigger types classified by OSHA.

• Full-Sequential – The controls must be activated in sequence and a single shot is fired. This includes lifting the tool off of the surface after each fastener is applied. This is ideal for carpentry and framing where precision is more valuable than speed. Our F70G Joist Hanger is an example of this style.
• Single-Sequential – This is similar to full-sequential in that a series of actuation must occur, however you don’t have to lift the tool between fasteners, you can drag it to keep the control activated. It’s slightly faster than full-sequential.
• Bump Fire – The sequence of controls in bump fire is irrelevant if both controls are activated at the same time. This is ideal for rapidly firing multiple fasteners in work such as roofing, but it comes with the most risk.
• Single-Actuation – This is similar to bump firing, but the tool must be lifted between firings.

BECK’s True Full-Sequential Firing Mechanism

“End user safety, and ANSI/OSHA compliance, is a key initiative we continually work on, and this year we’ve got an innovation that supports that goal.” says Chad Giese, BECK National Sales and Products Manager. In industrial tools used in manufacturing plants, BECK has developed a true “full sequential safety system” so the tools can't be fired accidentally.

“Bump” fire isn’t a completely safe process, as it requires the user to put only their finger on the trigger and press down to fire the tool. Improper firing can happen. “Sequentially” fired means that operations must occur in a certain sequence to activate. BECK’s full sequential firing system requires that the tool must be lifted from the work surface, with springs in place to reset the tool, then the trigger is let go. This will be utilized in the 16 and 18 ga tools (the F20 and F30 platforms).

If you’re in the market for high-quality, durable tools that do a great job while also protecting the user, BECK has you covered. Check out our F20 and F30 lines by clicking below.