I’m feeling a little lazy today don’t want to look it up, and since the wealth of knowledge is overwhelming here, I’ll ask this question; is 5 point tear way also a requirement?
Looks like everyone is too lazy to reply. But to answer your question: No, breakaway vests are not required under the ANSI 207-2006 standard, the breakaway feature is optional.
However, all users are cautioned to consider their mission requirements and determine if breakaway garments would be safer than standard vests. As I read it the ANSI 207 standard allows for breakaway garments while the ANSI 107 standard does not.
Thanks guys. This law was pushed through way to fast, with little or no though of the fire service. The think the bugs me in this law is; you need this but we recommend that. I was under the impression that is was required and is what we have ordered. I just noticed, sorry way to early and I’ve only had 1 cup, ANSI standard???; is this not federal law?
Permalink Reply by T.J. on December 21, 2008 at 8:35am
We use the breakaways and have had no problem with them so far, actually I'd rather have a breakaway just because it's much easier to get off, IF it ever catches on fire.
Yes it is a federal law. Here is the law, in its entirety from the Code of Federal Regulations:
TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 634 WORKER VISIBILITY
Sec. 634.1 Purpose.
The purpose of the regulations in this part is to decrease the
likelihood of worker fatalities or injuries caused by motor vehicles and
construction vehicles and equipment while working within the right-of-
way on Federal-aid highways.
Sec. 634.2 Definitions.
Close proximity means within the highway right-of-way on Federal-aid
highways.
High-visibility safety apparel means personal protective safety
clothing that is intended to provide conspicuity during both daytime and
nighttime usage, and that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3
requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 publication entitled ``American
National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.''
This publication is incorporated by reference in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51 and is on file at the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http:// www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/i...
locations.html. It is available for inspection and copying at the
Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 4232,
Washington, DC, 20590, as provided in 49 CFR Part 7. This publication is
available for purchase from the International Safety Equipment
Association (ISEA) at 1901 N. Moore Street, Suite 808, Arlington, VA
22209, http://www.safetyequipment.org.
Workers means people on foot whose duties place them within the
right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway, such as highway construction and
maintenance forces, survey crews, utility crews, responders to incidents
within the highway right-of-way, and law enforcement personnel when
directing traffic, investigating crashes, and handling lane closures,
obstructed roadways, and disasters within the right-of-way of a Federal-
aid highway. (This subsection is amended to revise the definition of ‘‘worker’’ to exclude firefighters when they are exposed to flame, fire, high heat or hazardous materials.)
Sec. 634.3 Rule.
All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are
exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of
travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear
high-visibility safety apparel. (This subsection is amended to exempt firefighters from the requirement to use high-visibility safety apparel, as defined in this rule, when they are exposed to hazardous conditions where the use of such apparel may increase the risk of injury to firefighter personnel.)
Sec. 634.4 Compliance date.
States and other agencies shall comply with the provisions of this
Part no later than November 24, 2008.
I added in bold text the recent revisions that have been made in response to the firefighting community