HI-VISIBILITY 101

UNDERSTANDING
THE ANSI STANDARD

ANSI / ISEA 107-2015 is the new standard for approved High-Visibility gear. These classes are based on hazards on the job site, complexity, vehicular traffic, and speed.

All compliant hi-vis safety apparel must be balanced in design, with specific material requirements to meet the standard. No less than 40% of the minimum required reflective and background material has to be present on both the front and back of the garment, ensuring visibility from the front and back.

REQUIRED
MARKINGS

  • Manufacturers name
  • Item Number
  • Size
  • ANSI / ISEA Standard including year
  • Indication of compliance of flame resistance
  • If not flame resistant, must show: “This garment is not flame resistant as defined by ANSI / ISEA 107-2015
  • Pictogram showing garment type, class, and level of reflective performance
  • Maximum number of wash processes (i.e.: Max 50.)

PERFORMANCE CLASSES

Class 1 (Type O Only): Provides minimum amount of hi-vis material required to differentiate worker visually from backgrounds around noncomplex work environments. These garments are considered “Non-ANSI apparel”.

Class 2 (Type R & P): These provided additional hi-vis materials and may allow design opportunities to define the human form more effectively. Class 2 garments typically provide longer detection and identification distances, and increased conspicuity performance compared to Class 1. They are required when working near roadways where traffic speeds exceed 25 mph.

Class 3 (Type R & P): These offer greater visibility to the wearer in both complex backgrounds through a full range of body movements. Mandatory placement requirements for background, retroreflective and combinedperformance materials on sleeves and pant legs. They are required when working near traffic speeds in excess of 50 mph. Sleeveless garments or vests are never considered Class 3.

Class E: Supplemental apparel such as bibs, shorts, and gaiters, which are not compliant when worn alone, though, when combined with Class 2 or Class 3 apparel, the combination satisfies the Class 3 requirements.

FABRIC & REFLECTIVE REQUIREMENTS BY TYPE & CLASS

GARMENT TYPE DESIGNATION

TYPE O

TYPE R

TYPE P

PERFORMANCE CLASS

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Class 2

Class 3

BACKGROUND MATERIAL AMOUNTS

217 in²

775 in²

1,240 in²

450 in²

775 in²

REFLECTIVE MATERIAL AMOUNTS

155 in²

201 in²

310 in²

201 in²

310 in²

WIDTH MINIMUMS OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL

1”

1.38”

2”

2”

2”