This article takes an in-depth look at the ANSI reflective garment standards from a manufacturers perspective giving a better appreciation for the evolving requirements for that marketplace and the direction that it is headed. Rich Boven, who has 32 years experience in the garment industry tells the story as it is. To compete with the top tier manufacturers in this industry, this is a must read!

The ANSI standard for high-visibility apparel has begun to mature since it was first written and published in June of 1999. When first conceived this new apparel was expensive and very hot to wear because of its polyester fabric and retro-reflective material construction.

The ANSI standard has detailed specifications for the area of the background fabric and the retro-reflective material as well as defined coverage areas for the garment to pass its compliance inspections. Retro-reflective trim on the garment, whether sewn or laminated, is required for low level light and/or nighttime visibility. It is also needed in increasing amounts of square inches as you increase in the ANSI classes upward.

According to specifications, the ANSI class II standard requires a minimum of (201) square inches of retro-reflective material and (775) square inches of background material. In addition, the ANSI class III standard requires a minimum of (310) square inches of retro-reflective material and (1,240) square inches of fluorescent background material. In 2004, the ANSI standard (107-1999) was modified to what the current specifications is today (107-2004).

In the beginning, ANSI safety apparel was very limited in its availability and the apparel options didnt include much beyond ANSI vests. From the start, apparel manufacturers have been working to develop and expand product offerings to increase comfort and productivity, with moisture management fabric, wicking finishes, breathable ANSI III Bombers, high visibility 3-season jackets, ANSI windbreakers and ANSI III sweatshirts.

Manufacturing innovators in the reflective apparel marketplace like Rich Boven of the Reflective Apparel Factory of Marietta, Ga. have come into the market with their own branded ANSI apparel. Their VEA logo, which stands for visibility - enhanced - apparel has come to include, ANSI Bomber Jackets, ANSI 3-Season jackets, ANSI Parkas and ANSI Windbreakers, but also include a complete line of comfortable and durable knit ANSI T-shirts, ANSI long sleeve T-shirts and ANSI polo shirts featuring Airex Reflective material and traditional 3M retro-reflective tape. Their fabrics also include mesh, Birdseye knit with wicking finishes and breathable wovens that are waterproof and lighter, more flexible, retro-reflective material. Also they have newly released garments and fabrics, providing for expanded usage over longer periods of the day and longer working seasons as well.

Rich Boven states, As waste companies, construction companies and municipal governments are demanding more and more garments, the expected features for ANSI III Jackets, ANSI III Bomber Jackets, ANSI III windbreakers and ANSI III Parkas have all come into question. He further states that, Currently, most high visibility garments have two-way zippers, cell phone pockets and include hoods. ANSI II T-Shirts come in different weight fabrics to insure moisture management and wicking, but also to keep workers more productive. In addition, Airex (flexible, reflective material) lets the garments breath without chaffing. All ANSI garments are also required to be permanently labeled with wash certification, manufacturers name, country of origin and wash instructions.

Offshore manufacturing and importing of ANSI apparel has moved into the American marketplace, forcing prices downward. As a further note, the US Government imposes a (32.6%) duty and a quota of (.50) cents per garment for garments made of manmade fiber coming in from much of the world. Because of this, domestic manufacturers of high visibility garments have expanded their manufacturing capabilities to the Caribbean Basin to avoid these duties. Specific areas such as Israel, South Africa and Central America are duty free with regards to importation of textiles.

Boven states that, To remain as a top tier manufacturer in the ANSI apparel marketplace, it requires marrying the right fabrics with the right reflective materials and the most up to date manufacturing assembly processes to successfully meet todays ANSI standards. Assembling retro-reflective garments requires additional experience in the required steps it takes to produce a quality, long lasting, comfortable ANSI compliant product


First, retro-reflective materials can either be sewn or laminated onto the garment. If you take an ANSI compliant garment, screen print it, run it through a T-shirt dryer, it doesnt make the garment non-compliant, but it starts to deteriorate the retro-reflective materials, which could cause it to be noncompliant later on, says Boven. Retro-reflective material is really glass beads in an adhesive layer impregnated onto the surface of the garment, so that if a heat source is applied for a second time, youre going to affect the chemistry.

Boven points out that to avoid damaging the retro-reflective materials; he uses heat seal equipment to apply the decoration to a controlled area, rather than heating up the entire garment. Secondly, Boven goes on to say, Using heat transferable materials applied at lower temperatures decreases the possibility that the retro-reflective materials are damaged.

In the industry today, ANSI compliance is being written into MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) guidelines. Simply stated, this means any federal highway improvement project will require the wearing of high visibility apparel for ALL workers exposed to traffic. Make no doubt about it! The concern for high visibility protection is not a fad that will be here today and gone tomorrow. Its here to stay and compliance to it will continue to grow!

About Author:

Harold Nusbaum is a Freelance writer, writing for the Reflective Apparel Factory (RAF) of Marietta, Ga. USA. RAF has been in the reflective apparel business since 1989 and its growth has skyrocketed through its owners (Rich Boven) experience of (32) years in the Apparel Industry. RAF focuses on the different needs of the Public Safety, Waste Management and Construction Industries. They are a member of the (ARBTA) American Road Builders Transportation Association. RAF is also recognized as an international importer for reflective apparel products. If you have any further questions about this article or the reflective apparel industry, you can reach Rich Boven at (866) 998-2649 or on the web at ( http://www.reflectiveapparel.com ).

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