NIJ 0101.04
NIJ 0101.04 refers to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Standard for Ballistic Resistance of Personal Body Armor. It is a standard that sets forth the requirements and test methods for ballistic-resistant body armor used by law enforcement officers and other individuals who require protection against ballistic threats.
The NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and is responsible for establishing and updating standards for law enforcement equipment, including body armor. These standards ensure that the body armor meets specific performance criteria and provides reliable protection against various types of ballistic threats.
NIJ 0101.04 was a previous version of the standard, and it has been superseded by newer versions. The most recent version as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021 is NIJ 0101.07, which was released in 2019. The updated standards reflect advancements in materials, design, and testing methodologies to provide better protection to law enforcement and other users.
The NIJ ballistic resistance standards outline various threat levels based on the types of ammunition and their velocities. These levels range from IIA (the lowest level of protection) to IV (the highest level of protection). The standards also specify the performance requirements and testing procedures for body armor, including the ability to stop and prevent penetration of bullets and the ability to minimize the trauma caused by the impact.
It's important to note that compliance with the NIJ standards does not guarantee absolute protection against all ballistic threats. The standards are designed to establish a minimum level of performance, and manufacturers may choose to exceed these requirements to provide enhanced protection. Additionally, it is crucial for users of body armor to follow proper fitting, maintenance, and inspection procedures to ensure its effectiveness.
For the most up-to-date and detailed information on NIJ standards, it is recommended to refer to the official publications and resources provided by the National Institute of Justice.