ASTM E3003-15

Standard Practice for Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Properly sized and fitted body armor enhances the safety and performance of the wearer by providing protection while not restricting movement. Having body armor that fits well begins with appropriate and accurate measurements. The measurement guidance of this practice will facilitate consistency of measurement across the body armor industry and will help wearers understand proper measurements.  
4.2 Accurate measurements do not necessarily result in well-fitting armor, so this practice goes a step further by providing (1) a method for assessing how closely an armor matches the corresponding wearer measurements, and (2) a description of well-fitting armor along with a personal armor fit assessment that the wearer can do for himself/herself.  
4.3 The measurement and fitting guidance specifically addresses officer-stated requirements for side overlap of front and back body armor panels, minimizing the armhole opening, eliminating any “V” gap (or similar) between the front and back panels, and providing vertical coverage on the front torso from the “2nd uniform shirt button to 2 to 3 finger widths above duty belt.” Those requirements were considered in the development of this practice and the definition of measurements that can be consistently made for any individual.  
4.4 This practice describes measurements for the front, back, and sides of the wearer, in addition to girth measurements, to achieve proper sizing of front and back panels and proper fit of the complete armor.  
4.5 This practice can be used to train individuals on proper measurement techniques and to train wearers on proper fitting of body armor.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides measurement and fit guidance for soft ballistic-resistant or stab-resistant body armor, or both, covering the torso. Proper measurement of the wearer and fitting of armor to that individual are necessary to obtain sufficient coverage of the torso and vital organs while allowing the full range of motion required for officer operations.  
1.2 This practice is primarily directed toward law enforcement and corrections officers and addresses measurements for and fit of concealable (normal duty) body armor worn under or over the uniform for both male and female wearers. This practice addresses only body armor composed of front and back protective panels contained within a carrier that positions and holds the panels on the torso.  
1.3 Female wearers require more measurements than male wearers to achieve proper armor fit; therefore, the minimum required measurements are specified individually for males and females.  
1.4 In addition to the required measurements, optional measurements are recommended when necessary to accommodate the wearer’s body shape and dimensions.  
1.5 Measurement guidance is provided in Section 5 of this practice. Section 5 may also be used to train individuals on proper measurement techniques.  
1.6 In addition to measurement guidance, this practice provides two tools for assessing armor relative to the intended wearer:
(1) Comparison of wearer measurements and armor measurements in Section 6.
(2) Personal armor fit assessment in Section 7.  
1.7 Units—English units are specified in this standard to be consistent with measurement units used in the United States body armor community. Approximate values in SI units are given in parentheses.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2015
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: E54 - Homeland Security Applications
• Drafting Committee: E54.04 - Public Safety Equipment

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E3003-20 - Standard Practice for Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F3614-22 - Standard Practice for Recording the Exoskeleton User Information
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2771-11(2019) - Standard Terminology for Homeland Security Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F3613-22 - Standard Practice for Recording the Exoskeleton Fit to the User
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E3195-19 - Standard Guide for Body Armor Program Management
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E3348/E3348M-22 - Standard Guide for Body Armor for Non-Law Enforcement First Responders
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E3003 − 15
Standard Practice for
1
Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3003; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This practice provides measurement and fit guidance for
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
soft ballistic-resistant or stab-resistant body armor, or both,
covering the torso. Proper measurement of the wearer and
2. Referenced Documents
fitting of armor to that individual are necessary to obtain
2
sufficient coverage of the torso and vital organs while allowing 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5219 Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Ap-
the full range of motion required for officer operations.
parel Sizing
1.2 This practice is primarily directed toward law enforce-
E3005 Terminology for Body Armor
ment and corrections officers and addresses measurements for
F1731 Practice for Body Measurements and Sizing of Fire
and fit of concealable (normal duty) body armor worn under or
and Rescue Services Uniforms and OtherThermal Hazard
over the uniform for both male and female wearers. This
Protective Clothing
practice addresses only body armor composed of front and
back protective panels contained within a carrier that positions
3. Terminology
and holds the panels on the torso.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 Female wearers require more measurements than male
3.1.1 apex, n—the greatest protrusion of the breast as seen
wearers to achieve proper armor fit; therefore, the minimum
from the side (Terminology D5219). (See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.)
requiredmeasurementsarespecifiedindividuallyformalesand
3.1.2 armhole, n—in garment construction, the area of a
females.
garment through which the arm passes or into which a sleeve
1.4 In addition to the required measurements, optional
is fitted. (Practice F1731 – 96 (2013))
measurements are recommended when necessary to accommo-
3.1.3 back break-point, n—the location on the back of the
date the wearer’s body shape and dimensions.
torso where the arm separates from the body (Terminology
1.5 Measurement guidance is provided in Section 5 of this
D5219). See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
practice. Section 5 may also be used to train individuals on
3.1.4 back width, n—the horizontal distance straight across
proper measurement techniques.
the back of the torso at the level of the back break-points; for
1.6 In addition to measurement guidance, this practice
the purposes of this practice, the back width measurement is
provides two tools for assessing armor relative to the intended
defined to be the same value as the chest width measurement.
wearer:
See Fig. 3.
(1) Comparison of wearer measurements and armor mea-
3.1.5 body armor, n—an item of personal protective equip-
surements in Section 6.
ment intended to protect the wearer from threats that may
(2) Personal armor fit assessment in Section 7.
include ballistic threats, stabbing, fragmentation, or blunt
1.7 Units—English units are specified in this standard to be
impact. (Terminology E3005)
consistent with measurement units used in the United States
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Law enforcement and corrections offi-
body armor community. Approximate values in SI units are
cers typically refer to body armor as a vest.
given in parentheses.
3.1.6 bust point to bust point, n—the horizontal distance
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
from apex to apex. (Adapted from Terminology D5219.) See
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Fig. 4.
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland
2
Security Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E54.04 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015. Published January 2016. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
E3003-15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E3003 − 15
FIG. 1 Female Torso Body Landmarks
FIG. 2 Male Torso Body Landmarks
FIG. 3 Chest and Back Widths
3.1.7 bust point to side seam, n—on either side of the body,
the horizontal distance from apex to the midpoint between
front b
...