Safety Vests

In 2006, the ISEA high visibility committee which created ANSI 107 was approached by first responders who testified that the 107 standard failed to meet their specific needs. After review of their concerns, the committee created a set of performance criteria and guidelines for the selection, design, and wearing of high visibility public safety vests. Their reasoning was that the vest was the most critical piece of equipment for roadside visibility and it should work for them and not against them. This prompted Blauer to add optional features such as a breakaway design for instantaneous removal of the vest. The overall length and cut of the vest was changed to make it form fitting, even for women and smaller people, which prevents the vest from interfering with equipment. ANSI 207 matches the photometric protective level of ANSI 107 for both background and reflective materials. It also makes special allowances for agency identification. To address the issue of equipment safety, ANSI 207 reduces the requirement for background visibility comfortably material from the previous 107 class II requirement of 775 sq. inches to 450 square inches. This compromise was necessary in order to fit the vests comfortably above the equipment belts, and for the proper fit of smaller individuals.