Kärcher Appliances Against the Spread of Bird Flu, Feb 2006

Winnenden, February 2006 – These days, Rainer Mühleisen, product manager at Kärcher Futuretech is in great demand. Since bird flu triggered disaster alarm on the Isle of Rügen the telephone line of the NBC defence expert hasn’t stopped ringing. Which products are suitable for preventing from spreading? Are they available? How many appliances are on stock?

Rainer Mühleisen follows the events on the island in the Baltic Sea around-the-clock and has noticed that the decontamination troops of the Federal German Armed Forces are using large numbers of appliances developed and produced by Kärcher.

"The DS 10 decon sprayer which can be carried on the user’s back, and the HDS 1200 EK high-pressure steam jet cleaner are very popular these days“, says Rainer Mühleisen. 7,300 units of the DS 10, a portable decontamination spraying device with integrated mixer for the application of disinfection or neutralisation agents, have been delivered to the German Bundeswehr in the last few years. Orders for a total of 400 HDS 1200 EK high-pressure cleaners have been placed by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) up to now.

At the disinfection stations, the so-called disinfection points, which have been set up at various places for cleaning vehicles, equipment and persons, the soldiers of the NBC defence battalions are fighting steadfastly against the spread of bird flu. Specialised in the decontamination of vehicles and persons, the NBC forces of the German Bundeswehr disinfect cars, trucks and bicycles on the connecting roads between the island and the mainland using Kärcher appliances in order to prevent any further spread of the H5N1 virus. The tyres of the vehicles are treated with a decontamination solution in decontamination basins.

Shoes and clothing have to undergo special treatment. For the personal protection of the soldiers, NBC protective suits, NBC masks, gloves and overboots are available. "All task forces fighting against bird flu must be equipped with a complete set of protective clothing and breathing protective masks”, recommends Rainer Mühleisen. The managing director of Kärcher Futuretech, Helmut Stelzmüller, has appropriate offers at hand. "Although our stock is getting lower our customers get a special price for the Kärcher SafeguardTM 2001 FR protective suit package.” Rapid action is the order of the day. "We do not want to trade on people’s fears but reduce people’s fears“, summarises Helmut Stelzmüller Kärcher’s activities in the framework of the decontamination measures against bird flu.

Details:

(pressure sprayer, 10 litres)

The DS 10 system is a portable decontamination spraying device with integrated mixing equipment for the autonomous mixing and application of decontamination or cleaning chemicals. Due to its new concept, the DS 10 can be used universally for the most varied tasks. A large number of different decontamination and cleaning agents can be mixed, dispersed and emulsified in the DS 10 container. With the integrated air pump the container can be pressurised and the mixed medium can be applied.

The DS 10 is made of special chemical-resistant stainless steel. All seals and the directly attached pressure hose are also resistant to solvents, acids, bases and the applied active substances. The integrated mixing equipment gets directly driven and operated through the pump tube. It has been designed so that liquid or powdery decontamination chemicals can be mixed and emulsified without any problems.

10 litres of mixture or emulsion can be prepared at any one time. It is possible to refill the container several times. By screwing down the pump the container becomes pressurised which allows the medium to be dispensed by the use of the hand-held trigger gun. A combined pressure/safety valve will open when the maximum operating pressure has been exceeded.

( high-pressure cleaner)

This high-pressure steam jet cleaner has an electrical engine and is a sturdy system for all tasks in the field of material maintenance in the army, air force, navy, civil defence and disaster control. It is suitable for stationary and mobile operation, and offers four different operating modes: cold water, hot water, steam and hot steam.

A self-sucking high-pressure pump enables water supply from all kind of water sources including sea water. Flow rate and pressure can be continuously adjusted. The appliance is equipped with an automatic protection against scaling.

The SafeguardTM 2001 FR is a personal protective suit for emergency situations. When toxic/hazardous substances are present in dust, liquid or gaseous form this protective equipment for emergency situations provides the desired breathing and body protection if used in time and properly according to the instructions.

The breathing and body protection components fulfil the known European standards, have a CE symbol and have been used within the chemical industry, fire brigades and many other users for decades. They have been tested in accordance with the test procedures set for the standards. Test results can be provided on request. Data about tests according to regulations of the civil defence authorities or armed forces are not available. Nevertheless, protection against certain organic gases and vapours is provided, e.g. by the protective mask with filter.

Scope of delivery: 1 Dräger protective mask

2 filters for protective mask

1 Tyvek C protective suit

1 pair of protective gloves

1 pair of overboots

1 carrying bag

1 instructions for use

Kärcher Futuretech plans, develops and produces systems and devices that help to solve the problems of the future. Kärcher Futuretech Systems with their patented, forward-looking problem solutions are in daily use within more than 100 armed forces, civil defence and relief organisations all over the world.