This standard specifies performance requirements for high-visibility safety apparel. For the purpose of this standard, the term “high-visibility safety apparel (HVSA)” shall be used to mean apparel PPE intended to provide conspicuity to the user in hazardous situations under any light conditions by day and under illumination by vehicle headlights in the dark or other low light conditions.

Performance requirements are included for color, retroreflection, physical properties and minimum areas of background, retroreflective and combined-performance materials, as well as the recommended configuration of the materials. Test methods are provided in the standard to ensure that a minimum level of visibility is maintained when garments are subjected to ongoing care procedures. These specifications may prescribe a wide variety of occupational HVSA, but shall not be applied to firefighter turnout gear.

Table of Contents

1. Scope 
2  Purpose 
3. Definitions
4. Compliance 
4.1 Background Materials 
4.2 Combined-Performance and Retroreflective Materials
4.3 Finished HVSA 
4.4 Declaration of Conformity 
5. Types and Classes 
5.1 HVSA Types 
5.2 Performance Classes 
5.3 Supplemental Class E 
6. Design 
6.1 Ergonomics
6.2 Apparel Configurations 
6.3 Construction Requirements 
7. Criteria for Optional Features and Testing
7.1 Pockets 
7.2 Identification Panels, Lettering and Logos (Type R and P)
7.3 Identification of Personnel (Type P)
7.4 Flame Resistance 
7.5 Single-Use Disposable Coveralls 
7.6 Overall Luminance 
8. Requirements for Background and Combined-Performance Retroreflective Materials 
8.1 Color 
8.2 Colorfastness of Background Material 
8.3 Dimensional Change of Background Material 
8.4 Mechanical Properties of Background Material 
8.5 Performance Under Wet Conditions 
8.6 Water Vapor Permeability for Background Materials Classified as Breathable 
9. Photometric and Physical Performance Requirements for Retroreflective and Combined-Performance Materials
9.1 Retroreflective Performance Requirements Prior to Test Exposure 
9.2 Retroreflective Performance Requirements After Test Exposure 
10. Test Methods
10.1 Sampling and Conditioning 
10.2 Determination of Color 
10.3 Method for Determination of Retroreflective Photometric Performance 
10.4 Retroreflection After Test Exposure
10.5 Flame Resistance
11. High-Visibility Single-Use Disposable Coveralls
11.1 Requirements for Background and Combined-Performance Retroreflective Materials 
11.2 Retroreflective Performance Requirements 
11.3 Seam Strength for Single-Use Disposable Coverall Construction (Full Garment)
12. Care Labeling
13. Marking 
13.1 General 
13.2 Specific Marking 
14. Instructions for Use 
14.1 Product Information 
14.2 Service Life Guidelines 
 
 APPENDICES
 Appendix A - Color of Background and Combined-Performance Material 
 Appendix B – Method of Measuring Wet Performance of Retroreflective Material 
  B1. Principle 
  B2. Apparatus 
  B3. Procedure 
 Appendix C – Suggested Type and Class Guidelines and Scenarios
 Appendix D – Examples of Garment Design 
 Appendix E – Test Reports 
  E1. Background Material Testing Report
  E2. Combined-Performance and Retroreflective Material Testing Report 
  E3. Declaration of Conformity 
 Appendix F – Examples of High-Visibility Safety Apparel Labels 
 Appendix G – High-Visibility Apparel Service Life 
 Appendix H – Benefits and Explanation of Optional Testing for Overall Luminance of HVSA 
 
 NORMATIVE REFERENCES 

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