High visibility clothing — Test methods and requirements
High visibility clothing, certified according to this standard, falls under risk category II. The number next to the pictogram indicates the class to which the item belongs. It depends on the minimum surface of fluorescent and reflective material:
– Class 3 requires 0.8 m² fluorescent surface and 0.2 m² reflective surface.
– Class 2 requires 0.5 m² fluorescent surface and 0.13 m² reflective surface.
What’s the difference with EN 471?
EN ISO 20471 has only one value (x). This number indicates the class to which the item belongs. Value (y) expires with EN ISO 20471, since reflection is only permitted in the highest category.
EN ISO 20471 requires that the maximum number of washing cycles of both reflective bands and fluorescent colour are indicated (only the reflection was assessed in case of EN 471).
What are the requirements for this standard?
1. Conditions regarding the placement of reflective bands
- The width of the reflective bands must be at least 50mm (otherwise it will not be included in surface calculation and seen as decorative
- A gap (for a closing system or seam) in the band of retroreflective material has a maximum of 50mm. The total amount of such gaps in every band won’t exceed 100mm around the torso and 50mm around the sleeves and legs.
- The space between 2 reflective bands must be at least 50mm (with a maximum angle of 20˚) and these bands must sit at least 50mm off the bottom of the garment (like a trouser leg’s seam).
- The reflective bands can be applied in various ways. They will only be included in surface calculation when they have been applied according to requirements. This means that the torso, legs and arms have to be encircled twice (or once horizontally with vertical bands across the shoulder)
2. Conditions regarding the fluorescent material:
- The fluorescent material must encircle the torso, sleeves and legs with at least 5cm. Gaps in fluorescent material made by reflective bands are permitted.
- At the front and back, the reflective material shall have an equal 50% ratio +/- 10%.