Page 320 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Sizing and fit for protective clothing 313

– Appropriate fit: not too tight for comfort, deep breathing is not restricted, no blood flow
restriction, appropriately proportioned and positioned clothing design;
– Operation of closures, adjustments, and restraint systems provides adequate range of adjust-
ments available, ease of operation, and security of closures and adjusters, and closures,
adjusters and restraint systems are strong enough;
– Coverage of area intended to be protected, coverage maintained during movements;
– Freedom of movements (standing, sitting, walking, stair climbing); raising both hands
above the head; bending over and picking up small object;
– Compatibility with other PPE from the same manufacturer.

In order to ensure conformity of size testing in accordance with the standards (ISO
13688:2013, 2013), each surveyor should be given a uniform in line with the size
according to size tables; in addition testing should be carried out having season-
appropriate underwear. The main points to be covered during the testing, yet poten-
tially complementable depending on the type of garment, are as follows:
1. Visual and tactile assessment of the garment, making sure that it is free of defects that can be
detrimental to the user or others (such as sharp or excessively stiff seams or edges; loose
threading, ripped up seams, tears, defective fasteners (zippers, buttons, hoop&loop, etc.);
2. Assessment of ease of putting on and taking off;
3. The assessment of the size of the uniform according to the previously defined features of the
garment (for example, for the jacket—loosely covers the shoulder and the underarm (rib)
area and causes no sensation of tightness; the collar fits well to the neck without creating
discomfort; the underarm of the jacket is loose, enveloping waist and pelvis free from strain,
the bottom edge reaches beyond the level of the fastening of the trouser cuff; the length of the
sleeve (cuff edge) of the stretched-out arm reaches the joint of the base of the thumb, while in
the case of bent arm it reaches the joint of the base of the palm. In the pelvic line the trousers
are neither excessively loose nor too narrow; the waistband bottom edge of the trousers rests
on the upper point of the ilium (above the pelvis); the trousers envelope the pelvis and the
stomach loosely enough, without encumbering the placement of arms in the side pockets, the
level of the crotch is sufficiently deep for the wearer’s comfort; the trouser legs are long
enough to form a fall over the top edge of laced boots, etc.);
4. Assessment of freedom of movement (for example, the wearer must be able to perform the
following movements: to stand, sit, walk and climb a ladder; lift both arms at the shoulder
height in front and to the sides, above the head. To grab shoulders by crossing their arms over
the chest; to lean forward and to lift a small object, such as a pencil; squat, spreading knees
broadly; to make a deep lunging forward—one leg bent at 90 degree angle and supported on
full foot, the other one—stretched out and supported on the fingertip.

11.6.2 Investigation of mobility

Standards already call for the ease of putting on and removing the clothing, with a
possibility of unrestricted bending of hands and knees, as well as leaning movements
while at the same time leaving uncovered unprotected parts of the body during
movements—there is sufficient jacket and trousers overlay (ISO 13688:2013,
2013). Additional conditions that should be taken into account for ensuring movement
in clothing worn are, for example:

l the sleeve and trouser legs are not too long without disturbing the movement of the arms
and legs;