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Dry Risers

Ensure the essential safety for your workplace

A dry riser is a vertical pipe connected to a pressurised water source, intended to distribute water to multiple levels of a building, to be used by firefighters in the event of a fire breaking out. Dry risers are one of the main components in a fire suppression system. 

If you’re interested in dry riser installation or dry riser maintenance, we’d be happy to help.

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Dry Riser Installation

Dry risers are a vital method of fire protection for any building, for use of the Fire Emergency Services in the event of a fire. Dry risers allow the fire service to connect water to the ground floor inlet, which then pumps water up to each outlet within the building, covering all levels of the building with sufficient water to extinguish a potential fire.

At Banner Fire, we are happy to assist with dry riser installation. Before having dry risers installed, you may want to think about planning permission and building regulations, as these will restrict you from having it installed. Another point to consider is the placements of the dry risers, as they will need to be easily accessible to the fire emergency services. For this reason, you might be required to consult your local fire station first.

Dry Risers Servicing

Dry riser maintenance usually comprises of visual inspections (carried out every six months) and pressure testing (every 12 months). The purpose of servicing is to check that a dry riser is fully functional and safe to be used in the event of a fire, and can usually take up to two hours to test.

A dry visual inspection is important to check for obvious signs of damage and to ensure that they are in good working order. Whilst dry risers are prone to general wear and tear, they are also prone to vandalism, meaning that they should be checked very regularly.

Dry riser testing (carried out every year) involves testing the water pressure, as well as all inlets, outlets and valves for leaks or missing pieces, which are then replaced following the testing. If a dry riser meets all requirements, certification is then provided for another year.

Dry Riser Legal Requirements

British Standards (BS9990) regulate the way that safety products are designed, installed, tested and maintained. Dry riser inspection should take place every six months, but tested annually. 

The legal requirement in the UK is that it’s compulsory to have dry risers installed in buildings which are higher than 18 metres above ground level, but no more than 60 metres tall. This is roughly equivalent to a minimum of six levels. Buildings which exceed 50 metres are usually fitted with wet risers instead.

Another legal requirement states that the inlet box of a dry riser should be accessible to a fire engine within 18 metres. If access is restricted beyond 18 metres, the fire emergency services will not be able to reach the inlet box.

When it comes to fire safety, your fire protection methods should not be compromised, as they can save lives. If you haven’t had your dry risers inspected or tested in accordance with British Standards, you could be prosecuted. Please get in touch with us to see how we can help you.

Let's Spark Up A Conversation

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Banner Fire and Security
6 The Retreat Gardens
Pattingham
South Staffs
WV6 7BX
sales@bannerfire.co.uk
01902 700620