scope:

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum performance requirements and test methods for the ballistic resistance of personal body armor intended to protect against gunfire.

This standard is a revision of NIJ Standard-0101.04, dated September 2000. It supersedes the NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements, dated September 2005, NIJ Standard-0101.04, and all other revisions and addenda to NIJ Standard-0101.04.

The scope of the standard is limited to ballistic resistance only; this standard does not address threats from knives and sharply pointed instruments, which are different types of threats and are addressed in the current version of NIJ Standard-0115 Stab Resistance of Personal Body Armor.

Body armor manufacturers and purchasers may use this standard to help to determine whether specific armor models meet the minimum performance standards and test methods identified in this document. However, NIJ strongly encourages body armor manufacturers to participate in the NIJ Voluntary Compliance Testing Program (CTP) and encourages purchasers to insist that the armor model(s) they purchase be tested by the NIJ CTP and be listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List. This will help to assure that the armor models will meet the minimum performance standards for use by the criminal justice community.

The ballistic tests described in this standard have inherent hazards. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property must be employed when conducting these tests.