Hi-Vis Apparel: ANSI 107 Class 2 vs Class 3

Pick the class

ANSI/ISEA 107 sets performance classes by background and retroreflective material area.

• Class 1: off-road, low-speed parking and warehouse yards
• Class 2: traffic under roughly 50 mph, utility, survey, general site work
• Class 3: high-speed roadways, night work, emergency response — sleeves required
• Class E: hi-vis pants; worn with a Class 2 or 3 top the ensemble counts as Class 3

Type R, P or O

Type R is roadway, Type P is public safety (with tear-away and radio access features), Type O is off-road. Federal-aid highway right-of-way work generally requires Type R Class 2 or 3.

Vest, shirt or jacket

Vests are cheapest and easiest to size across a crew. Hi-vis t-shirts and long sleeves work where a vest snags. Class 3 bomber jackets and rainwear keep the class rating in winter and wet weather — a non-rated coat over a Class 3 vest destroys the rating.

Care and replacement

Follow the wash-cycle limit printed on the garment label. Retire hi-vis when the background fabric is faded or stained or the reflective tape is cracking — a dirty vest is not a compliant vest.

Branding

Hi-vis is the most-seen thing your crew wears. We can print or embroider the company mark on vests, shirts and jackets without dropping below the required reflective area.