Ulm Minster choir vault freed from dusts and deposits
Specially trained industrial climbers removed the layer of dirt from the walls under the guidance of Kärcher cleaning experts.
Since the last cleaning 70 years ago, a clearly visible layer of dust had become deposited.
The cleaning experts abseiled down from the vaulted ceiling to carry out the work across 2,500 m2.
The work was being carried out at a height of up to 29 metres.
An early Christmas gift
Ulm Minster 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 removed 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," said 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," continued Jenner. Ulm Minster master builder Michael Hilbert agreed: "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."
BV 5/1 Bp backpack vacuum cleaners
Given the enormous height of the choir vault, cleaning experts abseiled 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 involved 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 pulled themselves upwards without touching the walls. The team supporting Kärcher cleaning specialist Nick Heyden was using hand jets with exceptionally soft natural hairs brushes. A further advantage: Secondary dirt was avoided because the vacuums immediately pick up all the dust.
Facts at a glance
Country: Germany
City: Ulm
Soiling: Dust made up of pollen, candle smoke, textile fibres and spiders' webs
Cleaning technique: BV 5/1 Bp backpack vacuum cleaners
Execution: October 2018
