What are the Types of Reflective Vest ?

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As one of the China’s leading reflective vest manufacturers since 2009, we are dedicated to producing the right reflective vest for each clients from all kinds of industries. Reflective vests shall consist of lightweight breathable bright fabrics (neon yellow, green, orange) and reflective strips. The reflective vests aim to enhance visibility in dim environments with the fluorescent background fabric for daytime and reflective tapes for night time.

Types of Reflective Vest

We can find 3 different class levels of PPE vest under ANSI/ISEA 107 and EN ISO 20471. Here’s a table to show the differences between Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 safety vests:

FeatureClass 1 Safety VestClass 2 Safety VestClass 3 Safety Vest
Risk LevelLow-risk environmentsModerate-risk environmentsHigh-risk environments
Application ExamplesParking attendants, warehouse staffRoad crews, construction workers, surveyorsHighway workers, emergency responders, night work
Traffic SpeedUnder 25 mph25 to 50 mphOver 50 mph
Reflective Material AreaMinimum of 155 square inchesMinimum of 201 square inchesMinimum of 310 square inches
Fluorescent Background AreaMinimum of 217 square inchesMinimum of 775 square inchesMinimum of 1,240 square inches
Reflective Tape Width1 inch (25 mm)1.375 inches (35 mm)2 inches (50 mm)
Garment DesignNo sleeves, fewer reflective stripsTypically no sleeves, more reflective areasFull-body coverage, includes sleeves for more reflective areas
Visibility DistanceVisible at a shorter distanceVisible from moderate distanceVisible from the farthest distance in all conditions
Work ConditionsMinimal contact with moving vehiclesWorkers near moving vehiclesWorkers in direct contact with high-speed traffic or in hazardous weather

The ANSI safety vest could also be grouped into 3 types based on different working environments.  They can be Type R (Roadway), Type P (Public Safety), and Type O (Off-road) vests. Here’s a table for the differences between the 3 kinds of safety vests under ANSI/ISEA 107:

FeatureType R Safety VestType P Safety VestType O Safety Vest
Work EnvironmentRoadways with moving trafficPublic safety operations (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters)Off-road, industrial settings away from public roadways
Traffic Risk LevelHigh risk of contact with moving vehiclesModerate risk of vehicle traffic with focus on public safetyMinimal or no traffic exposure, equipment operation areas
Application ExamplesConstruction workers, flaggers, road maintenance personnelPolice, firefighters, EMS, emergency respondersWarehouse workers, airport ground crews, mining, logging
Reflective Material AreaSame as Class 2 and Class 3 vests for high visibility (Class 2: 201 sq. in., Class 3: 310 sq. in.)Smaller reflective area than Type R; sufficient for public safety roles (Class 2: 201 sq. in., Class 3: 310 sq. in.)Lower reflective material requirements than Type R and P
Fluorescent Background AreaClass 2: 775 sq. in., Class 3: 1,240 sq. in.Reduced background material for mobility and task performance (Class 2: 775 sq. in., Class 3: 1,240 sq. in.)Minimal high-visibility requirements
Special FeaturesStandard high-visibility colors, suitable for nighttime and low-light environmentsDesigned for public safety tasks, often includes added features like pockets, badge holdersSuitable for off-road tasks, includes durable materials for industrial settings
Primary FocusHigh visibility to protect from vehicular hazardsEnhancing visibility while allowing mobility for emergency personnelProtecting workers in areas where traffic exposure is minimal

High-Visibility Flame-Resistant (FR) Reflective Vests

Not only the background fabric, but also the reflective tapes shall strictly follow the standard EN ISO 14116.  Here’s a table to compare Index 1, Index 2, and Index 3 FR safety vests under the EN ISO 14116:

FeatureIndex 1Index 2Index 3
Flame Spread ResistanceLowest level of flame resistance. Fabrics may ignite but must self-extinguish quickly. No molten debris or afterglow allowed.Moderate flame resistance. Fabrics offer better protection against ignition and flame spread than Index 1.Highest level of flame resistance. Fabrics provide the most protection, resisting ignition and preventing flame spread.
Risk LevelSuitable for low-risk environments with minimal flame exposure. Not recommended for direct contact with flames.Suitable for moderate-risk environments where exposure to flames is possible but not prolonged.Suitable for high-risk environments where higher protection from flame spread is necessary.
Application ExamplesGeneral industrial work where the risk of brief flame contact is low, such as maintenance tasks.Environments with occasional exposure to sparks or flames, such as light welding or metal cutting.High-risk environments, such as petrochemical, oil and gas industries, where flame exposure is frequent and high.
Fabric BehaviorMay ignite, but the flame must not spread beyond the ignition point. No burning droplets or debris allowed.Better containment of flames compared to Index 1, with more controlled flame spread.Minimal to no flame spread. Offers the best containment and protection in hazardous flame environments.
Garment LayersMust be worn over non-flammable undergarments to reduce injury risk.Offers more protection but still benefits from layering with fire-resistant undergarments.Can be worn independently or layered for maximum protection in high-risk environments.
Typical UseSituations with minimal fire or heat hazards, such as light industrial work, automotive services.Workers in environments where incidental or occasional flame exposure occurs, such as construction or maintenance near hot surfaces.High-risk workers such as oil refinery workers, firefighters, and welders exposed to frequent flame or heat hazards.
Comfort and MobilityLightweight and breathable, but with the least flame protection.Moderate balance between protection and mobility.Typically heavier but provides the highest protection. May affect mobility more than Index 1 or 2.
Self-extinguishing PropertiesMust extinguish quickly after flame exposure ceases.Self-extinguishing with better control over flame spread than Index 1.Highly self-extinguishing with minimal to no flame propagation.

Custom Reflective Vests

We can custom the logos, specific color patterns, added pockets, and tool attachments for safety vests based on different working environments.  There are public safety vests, traffic safety vests, construction safety vests, industrial safety vests, emergency responder vests, law enforcement safety vests, surveyor safety vests, roadside worker safety vests, utility safety vests and etc.

Differences between ANSI/ISEA 107 and EN ISO 20471 Reflective Vest

ANSI focus more on the level of risk and working environment, while EN pays more attention to the surface area of fluorescent and reflective materials; ANSI high-viz vests are more flexible in design and background materials based on specific uses, but EN safety vest are stricter with precise placement of of reflective and fluorescent materials; EN reflective work-wears require for reflection even after wear and tear, but ANSI safety vests don’t.

Conclusion

Follow the safety vest regulations. And choose the right safety vest for your job. We would be very glad that if the information related to the safety vest classification above could be helpful to you.   Welcome to us for further discussion and production of the safety vest!

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