NIJ Issues a Revised Bomb Suit Equipment Standard

• NCJ Number: 249826
• Journal: NIJ Journal Issue: 277 Dated: 2016
• Author(s): Brian Montgomery
• Date Published: May 2016
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Journal
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Test/Measurement; Technical Assistance; Standard

Annotation

This article addresses the rationale for and content of the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) revised Public Safety Bomb Suit Standard 0117.01 issued in April 2016, a performance standard for the specialized protective ensembles that public safety bomb technicians wear when they identify, disable, and dispose of explosive devices and materials.

Abstract

The rationale for revising the standard focused on issues with the test methods used in developing the initial standard, notably the testing methods related to field-of-view and other ergonomic requirements, as well as flammability testing. NIJ investigated each issue and developed a draft standard that incorporates revised test methods and requirements. The draft revised standard was released for public comment before it was finalized. The revised standard specifies minimum performance requirements for bomb suit equipment; however, a particular model of a suit tested and found to meet those minimum requirements may not necessarily meet the specific needs of a particular agency. Agencies are responsible for determining whether a particular model meets their needs. A copy of the revised standard can be downloaded at NIJ.gov, using keyword 249560.