Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this shredder NSA approved?
The Securio P36i (L6) appears on the current NSA/CSS Evaluated Products List for paper shredders, and the 1 x 5 mm cut meets the NSA/CSS 02-01 requirement of a maximum 1 mm x 5 mm particle. Both conditions have to hold - a P-7 rating alone would not be enough. Before relying on it for classified destruction, verify the model designation against the EPL edition current at the time of purchase, since listings are revised.
Why only eight sheets a pass?
Because reducing a sheet to roughly 5 mm2 particles takes an order of magnitude more cutting than a cross cut. Every P-7 machine pays this price; it is physics, not a shortcoming of this model. Plan your workflow around it. If eight sheets is impractical for your volume, the answer is a lower security level - P-6 at 11 to 13 sheets, or P-5 at 16 to 18 - not a faster P-7.
Can I put staples, paper clips or CDs through it?
No. This variant is rated F-3 and P-7 only: paper and film. There is no optical, electronic or magnetic media rating, and the cutting rollers that make 1 x 5 mm particles are the most vulnerable in HSM's range. Remove every staple, clip and fastener. If your operators cannot be relied on to do that, HSM sells this machine with built-in metal detection (1854121N) that stops the feed before metal reaches the cutters.
What does the reduced warranty mean in practice?
HSM's 5-year machine warranty and lifetime cutting-roller warranty apply to SECURIO models rated P-2 to P-5. A P-7 machine falls outside both and carries a 3-year machine warranty. Since the micro-cut roller assembly is the single most expensive component, that is a real difference in lifetime cost. It is the honest counterweight to a P-7 purchase and should be part of the comparison against a P-5 machine.
How often does the bin need changing?
Less often than you would expect from an eight-sheet machine. HSM rates the 145 l compartment at approximately 2,667 sheets for the 1 x 5 mm cut, because fine particles pack far more densely than coarse ones. In a typical secure office that is weeks of use. The touch display gives a full-bin notification and the machine stops rather than packing solid.
Does it need oiling, and how often?
It has an integrated automatic oiler, so there is no manual oiling schedule - but you must keep the reservoir filled with HSM shredder oil. Lubrication matters more on a P-7 cutter than on any other type: the tolerances are tight, and running dry is the fastest route to a roller replacement that is no longer covered by a lifetime warranty. Use HSM's oil, not aerosol lubricants or vegetable oil.
Can it run continuously through a large destruction job?
Yes. HSM rates the P36i for continuous operation and the IntelligentDrive motor offers a performance mode for clearing backlogs. The constraint on a big job is the eight-sheet feed rate rather than the duty cycle. For a one-off bulk destruction of non-classified material, consider whether a P-5 machine or an outside service is the better economic answer and keep this machine for the material that genuinely requires P-7.