1. Body Armor Measurement and Fit Workshop April 27, 2016

2. Big Picture of Body Armor
Male-Gender Neutral vs. Female Body Armor
Field Issues
ASTM Standard E Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor
How Can You Tell if Your Body Armor Fits?
Help with Fit Issues

3. Big Picture of Body Armor

4. Focus for Today

5. Male-Gender Neutral vs. Female Armor
Which is which?

6. Male/Gender Neutral vs. Female Armor
Flat (planar)
Structured (nonplanar)

7. Issues Seen in the Field
Consistent findings:
No instruction on donning or adjusting vest to the body
No understanding of good coverage
No assessment to determine if the vest fits or not
No recourse if vest has poor coverage
No engagement of manufacturers in fit (or lack of fit)
1. This officer received this vest with no instructions on how to put it on, how to adjust it or how to determine if it fit well. She wears her old armor because this one is so uncomfortable. It appeared that the vest was positioned too high on the body.
The shoulder straps were found to be only ~4 inches in length and obviously not long enough to allow the armor to be properly positioned. The shoulder straps were released, and the armor was lowered ~ 6 inches into its proper position. The officer said the armor was comfortable in that position.
The officer stated that she was never asked how her armor fit nor given the opportunity to voice her complaint.
2. This officer expressed a concern that her armor did not cover her well and that it stood away from her torso in the abdomen area.
The officer was wearing an armor labeled as M (medium), but it appeared that the armor was a size too small. She was with a colleague who had a larger armor of the same model. We borrowed the larger armor and placed it on the officer. This armor fit better but was slightly too large. The officer appears to be between a medium and a large vest.
Additionally, the officer has no coverage on the sides and lower torso; she also has a large gap in the breast area.
3. This officer has insufficient coverage on the sides and lower abdomen. This armor is indicative of many that were seen at the conference: insufficient coverage and poor fit.

8. Standard is available for free to law enforcement officers.
ASTM Standard E3003, Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor
How to make proper measurements
Comparing wearer measurements to body armor measurements
Describes characteristics of well-fitting armor
Brochure available (next slide)
Standard is available for free to law enforcement officers.

9. Back

10. How Can You Tell if Your Body Armor Fits?

11. Also in Brochure …

12. How Can You Tell if Your Body Armor Fits?
Personal Armor Fit Assessment:

13. How Can You Tell if Your Body Armor Fits?
Personal Armor Fit Assessment:

14. Help with Fit Issues Ask for help – we can provide:
Answers to questions
Printed and electronic resources
Contacts with experts in fitting
Connection with ASTM E54.04 Subcommittee on Personal Protective Equipment
Volunteer to participate in future studies

15. Join the Efforts! Debra Stoe National Institute of Justice
Cassy Robinson
National Institute of Standards and Technology

16. Background Such as: Labeling NIJ 0101.06 Threat Levels (Go to)
NIJ Compliant Products List (Go to)

17. NIJ Standard-0101.06 Threat Levels
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18. NIJ Compliant Products List – Sample
(Go Back)