Jobman Practical
Design regulated by EU standard
The design of high visibility clothing is regulated by EU standard EN ISO 20471. It states what colours must be used, where the reflective strips must be located and which information must be included with the gaments. Requirements apply to the material’ s properties to ensure maximum visibility and to enable washing without a loss of visibility. The garments must also be designed a certain way to ensure maximum visibility.
Tested by selected test institutes
When the garments are approved along with the documentation, a certificate is aware staing that they fulfil the requirements of standard EN ISO 20471. The garments are CE marked indicating certification and featuring information on care and how the garment should be used.
High visibility clothing is divided into three classes
Garments are divided into different classes depending on their visibility. Classification is maily dependent on the garment’ s fluorescent areas and reflective surfaces.
Class 3: Most visible. Total fluorescent area must be at least 0.8 m2 and the reflective strips 0.2 m2.
Class 2: Total fluorescent area must be at least 0.5 m2 and the reflective strips 0.13 m2.
Class 1: Least visible. Total fluorescent area must be at least 0.14 m2 and the reflective strips 0.1 m2.
In all classes, there must be no more than 10 cm between the reflective strips. This means that the zip on a jacket must be closed, for example.
Can be combined with other garments
It is possible to combine garments from different classes, however combining classes 1 and 2 does not automatically create class 3. To attain class 3, the cloting’ s total fluorescent area must be at least 0.8 m2. Garments of different colours may also be combined. They must, however, be certified together to allow their whole area to be calculated, otherwise only a single garment’ s area is applicable.
Yellow is the most visible colour
The EU standard specifies three approved fluorescent colours: yellow, orange and red. The certificate states that the garments are approved for combining. Tests have shown the colour yellow to be twice as luminous as orange or red.
Furthermore, yellow is the only one of the three colours which is fluorescent in direct sunlight and sodium light, which is the type of lighting used in tunnels, for example. Reflective strips for visibility in the dark Fluorescent colours lose their luminosity in the dark. Garments therefore have refletive strips to reflect the light from vehicle headlamps in the dark. Reflective strips on the legs mean the wearer can be seen from greater distances.
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