Significance and Use
4.1 This guide is intended for non-law enforcement first responders facing increased exposure to scenes of violence where firearms or stabbing weapons may be used.
4.2 The use and wear conditions are different than for law enforcement, requiring specialized guidance on types of body armor and their limitations, levels of protection, threat assessment, use and care, compatibility with other required protective gear, and training.
Scope
1.1 This guide provides information to non-law enforcement first responders for the selection and use of body armor.
1.2 Non-law enforcement first responders, including but not limited to fire fighters, emergency medical service providers, fire investigators, and civilian/community response teams, require specialized guidance on types of body armor and their limitations, levels of protection, threat assessment, use and care, compatibility with other required protective gear, and training.
1.3 This guide is directed to authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and all non-law enforcement first responders and their agency or department leadership.
1.4 This guide is not intended for law enforcement and corrections personnel.
Note 1: See NIJ SAG 0101.06.
1.5 This guide is divided into the following sections:
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| Section | Title |
| 1 | Scope |
| 2 | Referenced Documents |
| 3 | Terminology |
| 4 | Significance and Use |
| 5 | Managing a Body Armor Program |
| 6 | Understanding Protection Levels |
| 7 | Selecting the Appropriate Body Armor |
| 8 | Sizing Body Armor to the End User(s) |
| 9 | Guidance on Purchasing |
| 10 | Verifying that Your Body Armor is NIJ Certified |
| 11 | Fit, Coverage, and Wear Guidance |
| 12 | Fire Fighter Guidance for Body Armor Use with Turnout Gear |
| 13 | Inspection, Care, and Maintenance |
| 14 | Keywords |
| Annex A1 | Risk Assessment Guidance |
| Appendix X1 | Body Armor Program Management Guidance |
| Appendix X2 | Comparison of NIJ Ballistic Protection Levels |
| Appendix X3 | General Federal Government Grant Programs |
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1.6 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
1.6.1 The user of this standard will identify the system of units to be used, and it is critical to ensure that any cross-referenced standards maintain consistency of units between standards.
1.7 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
