Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
Vehicle Conspicuity
What does retroreflective
mean ?
Retroreflection occurs when light rays
returned directly to the original light
source, such as a vehicle’s headlights.
Normally without retroreflection light
scatters when directed at something. Retroreflective
materials appear brightest to an observer
located near the original light source
because very little light is scattered
when the light is returned.
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How
is brightness measured?
Brightness is measured just like a vehicle
the more BHP (Brake Horse Power) a vehicle
has the more power it has. Brightness
is measured in candelas /lux 2. The more
candelas the brighter you are. As the
vehicle travels towards you, seeing you
earlier allows the vehicle to take evasive
action sooner. Therefore the safer you
are! Reflexite’s prismatic technology
is twice as bright as glass bead and because
the reflectivity is brighter you can be
seen further away with high visibility
garments which have Reflexite prismatic
tape on.
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Do
you manufacture more than type of reflective
material?
We have the biggest and safest range of
EN471 approved colour combinations with
over 39 options including a worlds first
EN471 compliant 50mm vision series checker
tape for the emergency services. We only
manufacture the brightest prismatic technology
without compromising safety of the wearers.
However two types are available in the
market place prismatic and glass bead.
For vehicle applications we have a
full range of ECE104 approved tapes
for application onto curtain sides
as well as onto rigid bodies; all approved
to the highest class of the standard
(“Class C”). Also for emergency
services vehicles, utility vehicles
and other transport units where safety
and visibility is vital, Reflexite
offer a full range of high brightness
livery films, some of which are fluorescent
as well as retroreflective. The films
are not only outstandingly bright but
also single layer meaning that they
are easy to cut and have no need for
edge sealing.
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What
is Microprismatic Technology?
We invented prismatic technology over
30 years ago and this is proven to be
the most optically efficient way of providing
light to the observer such as a car driver
behind the steering wheel at night.
Prism technology works by
refracting light from its inner surfaces.
Light strikes each of the three surfaces
of the Reflexite microprism in turn, before
returning to its source. The retroreflective
efficiency is enhanced by the precise
arrangement of the microprisms, as seen
in a microscopic view. The microprism's
economical use of surface area delivers
the highest standard of reflection. This
returns light by as much as 80%. At its
longest angle in EN471 2003 our material
is typically 1000 can-delas/ m lux 2 twice
as bright as alternative Glass bead (typically
500cd/m lux 2) TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE.
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What
is glass bead?
Glass bead reflective technology is over
60 years old This returns light by as
much as 30% unless affected by heavy rainfall
that causes the reflective optics to scatter
the light rather than reflect to the source
causing blackouts of the reflective material
until it dries again. AT its longest/brightest
angle of EN471 2003 glass beads are typically
500 candelas lux/m 2
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What
is EN471 (2003)?
This is the minimum standard for high
visibility clothing for professional use-
TEST METHODS and REQUIREMENTS, the standard
states “where greater conspicuity
is required the higher level of retroreflective
material should be used”. This is
where retroreflective performance is tested
with NEW material at 16 angles, the closer
you are to the reflective object the lower
the reflective performance requirement.
The longest distance brightness requirement
is 330 cd/lux 2 for EN471 at 0.2 5 degrees,
our Material is 1000cd/lux2.
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Where
can I obtain a copy of the legislation
relating to EN471 and all other European
Standards?
Copies of the European Standard EN471
and all other European performance standards
are available from the British Standards
Institute - http://www.bsi-global.com/
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Does
prismatic technology outperform glass
bead when wet?
Numerous tests provide proof that Reflexite’s
prismatic technology is superior in terms
of brightness to open lens glass bead
particularly in wet weather. Whilst both
Reflexite and glass bead exceed all the
EN471, the European Standard for High
Visibility garments, the EN471 standard
does allow for a drop in brightness performance
of 70% in rainfall, but the risk of an
accidents does not drop by 70% in rainfall.
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| Glassbead |
Reflexite
prismatic technology |
Don’t take our word for it though,
please feel free to request a free wet
demo kit that clearly shows the difference
in visibility of Reflexite prismatic tape
versus glass bead. Get your free wet demo
kit by clicking here, seeing really is
believing our materials work when wet.
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What
temperatures can I wash/launder garments
with Reflexite tape on?
Depending on the type of application we
have materials that exceed washes up to
90 degrees and up to 100 washes. Please
refer to your local representative for
further assistance.
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Are
Prismatic materials flame retardant?
Depending on the type of garment we have
materials which exceed the requirements
of EN469 and also materials which exceed
the test requirements of EN532, please
refer to your local representative for
further clarification.
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Which
Roads and speed limits apply to each class
of EN471 garment?
EN471 does not give information relating
to specific roads or speed limits on which
the different classes of garment should
be worn. It states only that 'Class 3
clothing offers greater conspicuity against
most urban and rural backgrounds than
class 2 garments which in turn are significantly
superior to Class 1 clothing'. This implies
that the employer should carry out a risk
assessment of the working environment
in accordance with EN471 and other regulations,
and assign the class of garment offering
the most appropriate level of protection.
Remember it is an employers duty of care
to ensure that employees have the safest
working PPE when at work.
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What
is ECE104?
Regulation ECE104 is the European regulation providing guidelines for retroreflective
line or contour safety markings of heavy goods vehicles and their trailers, allowing
other motorists extra time to react when approaching an HGV at night or in poor
visibility conditions.
Download regulation: ece104.pdf
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