The aim of the study was to obtain comprehensive anthropometric data from w
hich to develop a sizing system appropriate for inclusion in specifications
for protective clothing; and for purchases of other selected equipment. Fi
fty-five body dimensions on a male sample of the New Zealand Fire Services
(n = 691, similar to 7% of employees) were obtained by direct measurement.
Descriptive statistics and selected percentiles (5th, 50th, 95th) are given
. The body dimensions accounting for most of the variance in the data were
established by factor analysis and are reported here. Size groups for vario
us body sections based on the relevant measurements of that section were es
tablished by cluster analysis around a control variable.