IED Clearance Good Practice Guide

LIMITATIONS OF BOTTLE DISRUPTORS

The following limitations should be considered when using bottle disruptors:

• Spaced casings (air gaps / box within a box).

• Metal containers.

• Heavy gauge plastics.

• Soft fabric containers.

• Multi wrapped packages.

4.5.3.USE OF BOTTLE DISRUPTORS

STEP 1 – PREPARATION

The process of preparing a bottle disrupter for use differs slightly between commercially manufactured and locally produced bottle disruptors. Both are described below. This is not intended to be an exhaustive guide on the preparation of bottle disruptors but a general overview to aid understanding.

Commercial bottle disruptor

The user selects the appropriate size bottle and decides on the quantity of plastic explosives required to achieve the desired effect. The explosives are loaded into an inner chamber which is held centrally in the bottle. Most commercially available bottle disruptors enable the user to alter the explosive quantity. The explosives should be loaded carefully using a non-metallic loading rod to ensure there are no air voids. There are options for using both electrical and non-electrical means of initiation, as well as incorporating a booster. The bottle is then filled with water and the lid secured.

Image 1. Loading plastic explosives into the inner chamber of a commercial bottle disruptor

IEDD techniques and procedures

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