EN 471
Hi Visibility Garments
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For a garment to be classed as “Hi Visibility” For a garment to be classed as “Hi Visibility”, it must conform to the European Standard EN 471. Within the EN 471 classification system, garments are grouped into three sub-classes according to the level of conspicuity they provide. These groupings are determined by the amount of background fabric & retroreflective material that has been used in the construction of the garment.
Class 1: Lowest Level of Protection
Class 1 garments are suitable for minimal risk, off-road activities in which increased visibility is an advantage. The minimum required quantity of background material is 0.14m², and the minimum quantity of retroreflective material is 0.10m². Bands of retroreflective material must not be less than 50mm wide.
Class 2: Intermediate Level of Protection
For a garment to be rated as a Class 2 item, the minimum required quantity of background material is 0.5m², and the minimum required quantity of retroreflective material is 0.13m². Bands of retroreflective material must not be less than 50mm wide.
Class 3: Highest Level of Protection
Class 3 garments offer the greatest level of hi-visibility protection. The minimum required quantity of background material is 0.8m², and the minimum required quantity of retroreflective material is 0.2m². Bands of retroreflective material must not be less than 50mm wide.
GO/RT 3279
Railway group Standard
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For a garment to be considered “Hi Visibility” it must conform to the European Standard EN 471. The most commonly used fabric colours within EN 471 are fluorescent yellow and fluorescent orange.
The Railway Group Standard, GO/RT 3279, is based on the standard EN 471 and is used to identify products that are suitable for use within the UK Rail Industry. For a garment to obtain GO/RT 3279, it must reach the minimum requirements for background fabric and retroreflective material as outlined in EN471 (see below). In addition to this, GO/RT 3279 conformant products must be made from fluorescent orange fabric – no alternative colours are permitted.
Class 2: Intermediate Level of Protection
For a garment to be rated as a Class 2 item, the minimum required quantity of background material is 0.5m², and the minimum required quantity of retroreflective material is 0.13m². Bands of retroreflective material must not be less than 50mm wide.
Class 3: Highest Level of Protection
Class 3 garments offer the greatest level of hi-visibility protection. The minimum required quantity of background material is 0.8m², and the minimum required quantity of retroreflective material is 0.2m². Bands of retroreflective material must not be less than 50mm wide.
EN 343
Foul Weather Protection
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For a garment to be classed as water resistant, it must conform to the European Standard EN 343. The garment is assessed according to it’s ability to resist both liquid water penetration and water vapour penetration – these qualities directly relate to the item’s ability to provide protection from rain in addition to the dispersal of perspiration. The garment is then rated according to it’s performance, class 3 being the highest level of attainable.