Dry Riser Testing

A dry riser ensures firefighters have access to water on each floor of a commercial property in the event of a fire. As with all firefighting equipment, dry risers must be kept in good working order so they function correctly when needed. Dry riser testing is a legal requirement in all buildings with dry riser systems.

Looking for a reputable dry riser testing company in Yorkshire? Robinsons Facilities Services is an expert in industrial property fire safety. We offer reliable dry riser testing and many other fire security services across the Yorkshire region. 

Get in touch to request a free quote today.

Alternatively, continue reading to learn more about dry riser testing and our approach from our expert technicians.

What Is a Dry Riser?

Dry risers are vertical firefighting pipes installed in multi-storey buildings over 18 metres tall. They allow firefighters to connect their hoses to water supplies via outlets on each floor. Dry risers are empty of water until needed during an emergency, hence the name “dry”. Having accessible water sources at height via dry risers enables more effective tackling of fires before they spread.

How Does a Dry Riser Work?

A dry riser system consists of an inlet pipe connected to a reliable water source, like a storage tank or a fire engine’s water tank. This vertical main riser pipe in turn has outlets on every floor including roof level. Smaller branch pipes then run from these outlets to wall-mounted landing valves around the building.

In a fire situation, firefighters connect their hoses via these landing valves. They then charge the system by pumping pressurised water into the main riser pipe through the ground-floor inlet. This water gets forced up the riser system to become available on all connected floors simultaneously for fire crews. 

Control valves at each dry riser outlet allow isolation while non-return valves avoid water only flowing to lower floors. The dry riser piping and extended branches remain empty or “dry” until this on-demand water filling and pressurisation.

What’s the Difference Between a Dry Riser and a Wet Riser?

While dry risers remain empty under normal conditions, wet risers are full of pressurised water at all times. This means that water is more readily available in the case of a fire. UK legislation states that dry risers are mandatory in occupied buildings higher than 18 metres. On the other hand, wet risers must be installed in occupied buildings above 50 metres.

Why Dry Riser Testing is Important

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (BS9990:2015) dictates that dry risers must be inspected and tested regularly to ensure they function properly when needed. They must have an operating pressure of 12 bar with visual inspections conducted every 6 months and tested annually. Additionally, insurers require proof of satisfactory dry riser testing before they provide building cover. Staying compliant via routine dry riser testing is crucial for safety and obligations.

Robinsons Facilities Services Dry Riser Testing Yorkshire

At Robinsons Facilities Services, our team of highly trained and certified technicians have decades of experience in all aspects of fire safety and security systems.

Dry Riser Testing and Maintenance

We work with your Yorkshire-based business to provide a risk assessment and a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedule for dry riser maintenance and wet riser maintenance. We will conduct the required 6-month visual dry and wet riser inspection as well as annual testing. Let us worry about dry riser testing frequency so you can focus on your core business. We’ll ensure your system is kept up-to-date and in a good state of repair at all times.

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Dry Riser Repairs

As well as planned maintenance, we will also work with your business on dry riser repairs should anything go wrong with your system. If a visual inspection suggests that there could be a problem with your dry riser (or your wet riser), you can call a member of our experienced team to arrange fast and efficient dry riser repairs.

You may also need emergency repairs to ensure legal compliance. Our 24/7 emergency call-out service is ideal for those difficult, urgent situations.

Get In Touch

Robinsons Facilities Services offers a full range of fire suppression and fire protection services for your commercial property, as well as a variety of maintenance services. Trust our UKAS-certified technicians to keep your Yorkshire-based business safe and compliant with UK legislation.

Call 01423 226578 or send us an enquiry today for a free, no-obligation quote.