When Millimetres Matter
Vehicle accidents across the UAE and GCC frequently involve SUVs and heavy goods vehicles that settle extremely low to the ground, or that trap casualties beneath structural sections crushed to near-zero clearance. Standard lifting bags — even the widely-used Ultra Flat range — have a deflated thickness of approximately 16mm and require a clear gap to enter. The Vetter Ultra-Thin series bridges this gap: at just 12mm deflated, these bags can be inserted between a road surface and vehicle sill, between collapsed concrete panels, or into industrial machinery where the clearance is less than the thickness of a thumb.
Once inserted, the Ultra-Thin bag inflates smoothly to generate substantial upward force — 5, 10 or 20 tonnes depending on the model. Because inflation is pneumatic, the lift is controllable from moment to moment via the Vetter twin-valve or deadman controller, with no risk of hydraulic fluid contamination at the scene. Multiple bags can be positioned side by side to increase the effective lifting area across a wider load, and they are fully compatible with all standard Vetter pneumatic controllers and hose sets already in service with your rescue fleet.
Fire brigades and civil defence teams operating in environments where low-slung vehicles are common — including oil and gas facilities, ports, construction sites and rail yards — will find the Ultra-Thin series an essential complement to their existing Vetter lifting bag inventory. These bags do not replace the S-TEC or C-TEC range; they fill the scenario where those bags simply cannot be inserted.
Ultra-Thin Models — Specifications
The Vetter Ultra-Thin range is available in three capacities. All models share the same 12mm deflated insertion profile and 8-bar operating pressure.
| Model | Insertion Gap | Lifting Capacity | Inflated Height (approx.) | Operating Pressure | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT 5T | 12 mm | 5 tonnes | ~120 mm | 8 bar (116 psi) | EN 13204 |
| UT 10T | 12 mm | 10 tonnes | ~170 mm | 8 bar (116 psi) | EN 13204 |
| UT 20T | 12 mm | 20 tonnes | ~220 mm | 8 bar (116 psi) | EN 13204 |
All Ultra-Thin models: 8 bar operating pressure · 12mm insertion gap · EN 13204 and CE marked · Compatible with standard Vetter pneumatic controllers
- Lifting capacity: 5 tonnes
- Insertion gap: 12 mm
- Inflated height: ~120 mm
- Operating pressure: 8 bar (116 psi)
- Standard: EN 13204, CE marked
- Lifting capacity: 10 tonnes
- Insertion gap: 12 mm
- Inflated height: ~170 mm
- Operating pressure: 8 bar (116 psi)
- Standard: EN 13204, CE marked
- Lifting capacity: 20 tonnes
- Insertion gap: 12 mm
- Inflated height: ~220 mm
- Operating pressure: 8 bar (116 psi)
- Standard: EN 13204, CE marked
Technical Construction and Features
Vetter Ultra-Thin bags are constructed from a high-strength neoprene-coated fabric that is flexible enough to conform to irregular surfaces and durable enough to withstand the abrasive conditions found at vehicle accident and industrial rescue scenes. The neoprene outer layer provides resistance to hydrocarbons, hydraulic fluid, salt water and the chemical agents used in fire suppression — an important consideration at oil and gas facility incidents across the Gulf region.
- Deflated insertion profile: 12mm — the thinnest in the Vetter pneumatic bag range
- Operating pressure: 8 bar (116 psi) — controlled via Vetter pneumatic controller
- Certification: EN 13204 tested and certified, CE marked
- Outer material: Neoprene-coated fabric — chemical resistant, abrasion resistant
- Fittings: Standard Vetter quick-coupling pneumatic fittings — compatible with twin-valve and deadman controllers
- Safety: Overinflation protection built into the pneumatic circuit
- Multi-bag use: Up to two bags can be stacked (same footprint, double height) or placed side by side (greater lifting area)
Application Scenarios
The Ultra-Thin series is specified wherever rescue teams encounter near-zero clearance. The following scenarios represent typical deployment conditions faced by fire brigades and civil defence teams across the UAE, GCC and Africa.
| Application | Why Ultra-Thin |
|---|---|
| Vehicle extrication — low-clearance vehicles | SUVs, light trucks and sports cars that settle onto their chassis after an impact may present gaps of less than 16mm, excluding standard Ultra Flat bags. The UT series inserts at 12mm. |
| Building collapse — USAR operations | Collapsed concrete floor panels frequently settle to within 10–15mm of each other. Ultra-Thin bags provide first-lift capability to create safe working space for search teams. |
| Machinery recovery — oil and gas | Industrial plant and offshore equipment presents tight clearances between components during a mechanical failure. The UT series lifts machinery panels without requiring additional disassembly. |
| Rail accidents | Rail vehicles that have overturned or derailed may crush areas to very low clearance. Ultra-Thin bags enter where conventional rescue equipment cannot follow. |
| Port and container operations | Containers and heavy cargo that shift during loading or unloading create crushing hazards with minimal gap. UT bags enable safe lifting without heavy crane repositioning. |
Ultra-Thin vs. Other Vetter Bag Series
Selecting the right bag series depends on the available insertion gap and the required lift force. The table below guides the selection decision.
| Series | Min. Insertion Gap | Max Capacity | Recommended Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Thin | 12 mm | 20 tonnes | Near-zero clearance — first tool when no other bag fits |
| Ultra Flat (UF) | 16 mm | 10 tonnes | Tight clearance — standard first-tool for restricted access |
| Mini Bags | ~20 mm | 68 tonnes | Narrow gaps requiring high lift capacity |
| S-TEC / C-TEC | ~25 mm | 71 tonnes | Standard rescue lifting — most vehicle and industrial scenarios |
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Products
Specify Ultra-Thin bags for your rescue fleet
Fire and Rescue Tech is the authorised distributor for Vetter pneumatic rescue equipment across the UAE, GCC and Africa. Contact us to specify the correct Ultra-Thin model for your operational requirements, or to discuss a complete Vetter lifting bag package.
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