Need some inspiration? Then take a read of what Kärcher are doing with their special cleaning projects around the world.
This project undertaken by the Kärcher speacial projects team was to clean the monumental choir volt using the BV 5/1 Bp Backpack Vacuum Cleaner, quite a challenge!
Ulm Minster in Germany is best known for its church spire − at 162 metres it is the highest in the world. But the monumental choir vault with its choir stalls and 14th and 15th century windows are also of great cultural and historical significance. Since the last cleaning 70 years ago, a clearly visible layer of dust made up of pollen, candle smoke, textile fibres and spiders' webs had become deposited on the interior walls. Together with the State Heritage Authority and the Minster master builder, specially trained industrial climbers are now removing the layer of dirt from the walls under the guidance of Kärcher cleaning experts.
"The cleaning of Ulm Minster is a real one-off in a series of exciting projects that we have delivered all over the world in recent years," says Hartmut Jenner, Chairman of the Executive Board of Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG. "Every project is unique and brings new challenges with it: At Ulm Minster, for example, we are using backpack cleaners from a rope," continues Jenner. Ulm Minster master builder Michael Hilbert agrees: "The Kärcher backpack cleaner means the cleaning of the monument is progressing perfectly. The fact that Kärcher is fully sponsoring the work is an early Christmas gift for us."
Given the enormous height of the choir vault, cleaning experts abseil down from the vaulted ceiling to carry out the work at a height of 29 metres and over a total area of 2,500 m2. This involves lowering ropes into the interior through existing openings in the Minster's arched ceiling. The industrial climbers, equipped with BV 5/1 Bp backpack vacuum cleaners, then pull themselves upwards without touching the walls. The team supporting Kärcher cleaning specialist Nick Heyden is using hand jets with exceptionally soft natural hairs brushes.
A further advantage: Secondary dirt is avoided because the vacuums immediately pick up all the dust. The work is scheduled for completion on 26 October. To avoid disruption to the progress and prevent danger to anyone not involved, the Ulm Minster choir vault is currently closed to visitors.
