Testing Of High-Visibility Garments - Part 3

FACT SHEET TESTING OF HIGHVISIBILITY SAFETY GARMENTS ­ PART III NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY SPECIFICATIONS Background This is the third article in a series relating to information about highvisibility garments. The first two articles discussed requirements relating to design and materials used in these garments. This article provides details relating to additional specifications for garments as required by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). NZTA Specifications for HighVisibility Safety Garments Specifications for all temporary equipment (e.g. signs, signals, garments and delineation devices) on roads under the jurisdiction of the NZTA are published in Section B of the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (COPTTM). This is Part 8 of the NZTA Traffic Control Devices (TCD) manual. The relevant section of the COPTTM is available for download at the NZTA website and is provided below: www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/codetemptrafficmanagement/docs/copttm sectionb4thed.pdf The NZTA specification is based around AS/NZ4206.1:2011 and AS/NZS1906.4:2010, except with more detail and additional requirements. Figure 1: Sleeveless vest Retroreflective tape and highvisibility background material must conform to AS/NZS1906.4:2010. Application of the Specification There are four garment design categories sleeveless vests, long sleeves coats, overalls and miscellaneous (e.g. polo shirts, woven shirts, polar fleeces). All of these designs are closely specified in terms of garment length, shirt tails, tape length, tape configuration and logos. Figure 2: Garment for Site Traffic Figure 3: Overalls Management Supervisors The NZTA COPTTM specifies two main colours with regards to use on New Zealand roads: Yellow: Garments for site traffic management supervisors STMS; and Orange: Garments for all wearers other than supervisors Compliant garments with the COPTTM must be labeled with the letters `TTMCW'. TESTING OF HIGHVISIBILITY SAFETY GARMENTS ­ PART III, Fact Sheet ­ January 2014 FACT SHEET The key differences between the general standards (AS/NZS4602.1:2011 and AS/NZS1906.4:2010) and the NZTA COPTTM specification are summarised below: AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 & AS/NZS 1906.4:2010 Minimum 0.2 m2 of the background hivisibility material on both front and back for all garment types NZTA COPTTM Specification Minimum area of background hivisibility material is specified for each garment type for both and front. The amount varies per garment type. In all cases it is larger than 0.2 m2 The measurement is carried out using a hatched rectangle that extends over a larger area to the bottom of vest coats and miscellaneous garments and to the upper leg hoop of overalls The colour of the high visibility background material is measured both wet and dry before and after light exposure The permitted front opening may be no wider than 25 mm The design for all garments is specified Specific requirements for STMS garments in terms of background high visibility material colour and STMS label Logos are restricted by size and location. STMS garments are restricted to the STMS label and technical recognition ID Only DN garments are included The tape configuration is specified belt and braces with shirt tail strip. The tape length and distance between braces is specified Size S is tested and all other garments (larger or smaller) must be in proportion with the compliant garment The standard is specific on the inclusions of other colours on the torso except for the tape, front opening and logos The measurement is carried out using a hatched rectangle that goes to the waist for all garments regardless of design Only wet weather garments are measured wet before and after light exposure The permitted front opening may be no wider than 50 mm The design for all garments is not detailed STMS garments are not specified The size of any logos has to be deducted from any background material measurements and must not interfere with the continuity of the background material D, N and DN garments are permitted Different configurations are allowed. The dimensions are not closely specified Any size can be tested. Size S that do not have 0.2m2 are compliant if the background material goes to the waist The standard allows flexibility on the inclusion of additional items such as pockets, logos and ventilation gussets. Advice on HighVisibility Safety Garment Testing The NZTA Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management and the two key Standards for highvisibility garments (AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 for garment design and AS/NZS 1906.4:2010 for background materials and retro reflective tape) provide a significant amount of detail and specification for manufacturers and users. NZWTA Ltd has a comprehensive understanding of the standards involved in highvisibility garment testing and can provide a report on the conformance to these standards. If you are involved with manufacturing, importing or using highvisibility garments and want to ensure the garments are compliant with current standards, contact NZWTA on: +64 6 835 1086 Email: Lorraine.Greer@nzwta.co.nz or Christian.Judan@nzwta.co.nz TESTING OF HIGHVISIBILITY SAFETY GARMENTS ­ PART III, Fact Sheet ­ January 2014