ANSI/ISEA 207-2006: American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests
What is the New ANSI 207 Standard
This public safety vest standard was created in response to public safety user group demand in 2005 for a high visibility safety vest garment differentiated from ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 compliant apparel. The primary concern was a need for flexibility of designs that would provide tactical capability not achievable with ANSI 107 garments. Additionally, user groups expressed a desire to have a high visibility garment standard intended for law enforcement and emergency responders that would be distinct from ANSI 107, therefore avoiding interchangeability with “construction vests”.
After receiving guidance from the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition, the ANSI Reflective Products Committee began drafting the new standard in November 2005. The standard was approved by committee and ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association) in November 2006. The new standard was published in December 2006.
Significant Differences with the ANSI 107 standard
The primary distinction of the ANSI 207 standard is that the required fluorescent background material (450 in2) falls between ANSI 107 Class 1 (217 in2) and ANSI 107 Class 2 (775 in2). See chart below. This difference allows for design accommodation of equipment belts. The new standard also allows for design flexibility to incorporate colored panels to enhance easy, on-scene identification of wearers, as well as other options such a shoulder break-aways.
Please note:
In ANSI 207, the minimum area of required retroreflective material is 201 in2,
same as the ANSI 107 requirement.
ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 Summary Points
- ANSI 207 is a new standard with a specific name, “Public Safety Vests” (PSV)
- Area requirements for fluorescent background material falls between ANSI 107 Class 1
and Class 2 - A lesser background area requirement allows for short designs giving tactical access to equipment belts.
- Retroreflective area requirements are the same as those for ANSI 107, Class 2
ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 Summary Points
- Retroreflective performance requirements are almost the same as ANSI 107, except only the Level 2 (330 RA table) is included.
- ANSI 207 is not intended to replace, or be interchangeable with ANSI 207 Class 2 apparel. Law enforcement officers performing traffic control duties are still encouraged to follow ANSI 107 Class 2 or Class 3 guidelines whenever possible.
- The new standard suggests use of many design options, such as breakaways, colored identifiers, loops, pockets, badge holders, and ID panels.
- The design options are intended to encourage innovative ways to meet end-user needs for design functionality, while still offering an effective high visibility safety garment.
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