Dry Risers & Wet Risers

Dry Riser Repair

A Dry Riser is a system of valves and pipework which enables the Fire Service to pump water on to the uppeer floors of a building. A Wet Riser is a system of valves and pipework which are kept permanetly charged with water.

A dry riser system is an empty pipe running up the inside of a building which can be connected to by firefighters and used as a pressurised water system. There will be inlet connections on the outside of the building – or in fire escape areas – for the fire services to access, allowing the water to be pumped up to valves on upper floors on the inside.
This makes things easier for firefighters who are tackling a blaze in a building with multiple floors, with most systems installed up to a max of 50m above the fire service access level.
These systems are designed to provide pressure on the upper floors of a building, so need to be planned into the construction of a building carefully.

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Installation

We pride ourselves on providing the best possible service to our clients with competitive rates. We always deliver our service to the best possible standard complyin with legal requirements.

We carry out dry riser installations across the UK including London, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Essex, Norwich, Nottingham & Derby.

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Service / Maintenance

Dry Riser Maintenance

Dry risers are required to have a 6 monthly visual check,
Every 12 months a water test should be carried out to 12 bar for 15 minutes.

Dry riser testing is a legal requirement dictated by BS9990:2015 which is the British Standard that details requirements for a dry riser test and maintenance in the UK.

Dry Riser testing frequency and dry riser maintenance requirements. Durcan Dry Risers know the answer and are here to help.

The 6 monthly visual check which is primarily an anti theft or anti vandalism check. This should be carried out by a competent person with the records stored in a safe place, should they be required by the local authorities. The annual water test should be carried out to 12 bar for 15 minutes. A professional company with the correct equipment, processes and H&S records should be utilised.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to arrange maintenance of dry and wet riser systems. Durcan Services provide the necessary maintenance to meet the legal requirements. This includes visual inspections every 6 months and an annual service which includes pressure and wet tests.

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Dry Risers

Dry Riser Pressure Test

We offer installation, comissioning, servicing / maintenance and repairs for all types of dry risers across the UK.

6 Month Visual Inspection Consists Of Checking The Following -

Exercise all valves and leave them secured in the closed position (checking strap and lock if required)
All outlet washers
For damaged and missing blank caps and chains
That all hand wheels and nuts are undamaged and intact
Landing outlet valves open freely and are undamaged
The inlet cabinet and do for corrosion
The inlet breaching valve springs and rubbers are free moving and in good condition
The inlet/outlet cabinet glass
All required sinage is present and correct

Annual Pressure Testing

Dry Risers - An annual pressure test entails connecting the inlet to a pump and water supply. The system is then completely charged with water to a pressure of 12 bar, measured at inlet for a period of at least 15 minutes. During this period an inspection is made to ensure that there is no leakage of water at any of the joints or landing valves. Once the pressure test is completed the system must be drained so that it is left ready for immediate use. In the event of the system failing we are able to carry out dry riser tests using air to locate the origin of any leaks without causing any water damage, once the repair is completed we could carry out a full dry riser pressure test using water inline with British Standards.

Wet Risers - For Wet Riser Sytems there are additional checks, on cleanliness of storage tanks, booster pumps and associated mechanical and electrical equipment.

Riser Maintenance & Remedial Repairs -

Replacing outlet washers
Repair or replace valves (replace lock and strap if necessary)
Replace blank caps and chains
Repair or replace hand wheel nuts
Repair or replace landing outlets
Replace the inlet cabinet and door
Repair the inlet breeching valve/s springs (replace rubbers as necessary)
Replace inlet/outlet cabinet glass
Supply dry riser sinage to all floors if required

What is Dry Riser Servicing?

A Dry Riser is a network of pipes running up inside of taller buildings (or ones with restricted access) to enable the fire brigade to pump water to areas within the building when tackling fires high up.

The buildings Responsible Person (or RP) is legally required to ensure the system is maintained to BS 9990 code of practice which means a full annual pressure test plus a six monthly visual check for dry risers in buildings over 18 metres but below 60 metres (anything over 60 metres or 18 stories must have wet risers).

At Durcan Services we pride ourselves on servicing equipment to the highest standard. Our competent, qualified and DBS (CRB) checked engineers can service a variety of dry riser systems and ensure everything is working as it should.

What locations do we cover for Dry Riser Servicing & Dry Riser Repairs?

We cover most areas of England for dry riser work, we have vans most days visiting cities across the south in areas such as London, Cambdrigeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Leicestershire, Lincoln, Kent, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Middlesex.

Who Is Responsible For Dry Riser Testing?

It is usualy the building landlord / owner who is responsible for ensuring the dry riser within a building is correctly maintained. Durcan Services carried out dry riser work for all types of customers including councils, local authorities, landlords, commercial operatations, distribution centres, car parks and shopping centres.

Why Choose Durcan Services For Dry Riser Testing?

✔ Over 1,500 compliance jobs completed annually
✔ Specialist dry riser engineers—no subcontractors
✔ 18-point inspection process
✔ Same-visit repairs where possible
✔ Detailed digital certification
✔ Constructionline Silver accredited
✔ 24/7 emergency response
✔ UK coverage

Dry Riser FAQ's

When Is A Dry Riser Required?

Dry risers are typically required in buildings where the top floor is between 18 and 50 metres above the fire brigade access level, or in structures with floors more than 10 metres below ground level. They provide firefighters with immediate access to water on every floor without dragging heavy hoses up stairwells.
The requirement for installing and designing dry risers is dictated by Approved Document B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations and regulated by the BS 9990:2015 code of practice.
Specific criteria include:
Building Height: Mandatory in buildings where the highest floor is above 18m
Below Ground: Required for any building with floor levels more than 10m below ground.
Access Requirements: The external inlet connector must be positioned within 18m of a fire appliance access point.
Distance Constraints: Outlets must be available on each floor, and no part of a floor should be more than60m from an outlet valve.

How Does A Dry Riser Work?
A dry riser is a system of empty pipes built into a building that firefighters use to quickly access water during an emergency. Instead of dragging heavy hoses up stairwells, firefighters connect their fire engine to an external ground-level inlet and pump water vertically through the building to the required floor.
The system operates in a few clear, straightforward steps:
1. The Ground-Level Inlet on the outside of the building (usually near the main entrance), there is a secure, red-glass-fronted cabinet known as the inlet breeching. Firefighters attach hoses from their fire engine (which is often connected to a nearby fire hydrant) to this inlet valve.
2. Pumping and Pressurisation - Because the pipes remain completely empty (or "dry") when not in use, the fire engine's powerful pumps must force the water up the vertical pipework.The system is fitted with air release valves at the top, which let trapped air escape so the water can flow smoothly and consistently without creating dangerous blockages or pressure drops.
3. Outlets on Upper Floors - As the water rushes up the main vertical pipe, it reaches horizontal branches on each floor called landing valves (or outlets). Firefighters carry a much shorter, lighter hose to the floor nearest the fire and connect it directly to these landing valves to extinguish the flames.

How Do You Test A Dry Riser System?
Testing a dry riser involves a visual inspection and a hydraulic (water) pressure test. The system is pressurized to 12 bar (175 psi) and must hold for 15 minutes to prove it is leak-free and capable of operating under emergency firefighting demands. Dry riser testing must be performed by competent, certified fire safety professionals in accordance with standards like BS 9990.
The process breaks down into the following key phases:
1. Initial Visual Inspection - Before applying pressure, engineers inspect all external and internal components to prevent flooding and ensure basic functionality:
Cabinets & Signage: Check inlet and outlet cabinet doors, hinges, locks, and break-glass panels. Verify that instruction signs are clear and legible.
Valves & Seals: Ensure that landing valves (outlets) open and close smoothly, and replace any degraded rubber washers.
Tamper Devices: Confirm that all padlocks and straps on inlet valves are intact.

2. Hydraulic Pressure Test (Wet Test) - The wet test requires two engineers communicating via radio:
Filling: Attach a water pump to the inlet breeching valve on the ground floor after checking all outlets are closed.
Pressurisation: Allow the pump to gradually build system pressure up to 12 bar.
Monitoring: Maintain this 12 bar pressure for a minimum of 15 minutes. Engineers will check every valve and joint for leaks, pressure drops, or weeping.
3. Draining: The entire system must be fully drained after the test to keep the riser "dry" and prevent pipe corrosion or winter freezing.
4. Certification & Frequency - Every 6 Months: A routine visual inspection is required. Every 12 Months: A full annual pressure and flow test is a legal requirement. Documentation: Following a successful test, the engineer will issue a Certificate of Compliance, which building managers must retain for fire authorities and insurance audits

What Is The Difference Between A Dry and Wet Riser?
Both wet and dry risers supply water to outlet valves on floors throughout the building for firefighting. The core difference is that dry risers are empty pipes that firefighters must pump water into from the ground, while wet risers are permanently connected to a water supply and pressurised. Dry risers are typically fitted buildings up to 50m height, wet risers are usually fitted to buildings 50m or greater.

What Is The British Standard For Dry Risers?
British Standard BS 9990:2015 is the code of practice governing the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of dry risers in the UK. It outlines the essential requirements to ensure firefighters have an immediate, safe water supply during an emergency.

Fire Hydrant Testing - Please contact us for further information

For more information on how we can help install, repair or maintain your property, call us today on 0800 77 20206 or email info@durcans.co.uk

We offer a no obligation assessment and quotation.

Dry Riser Installation / Dry Riser Testing / Dry Riser Repairs

We cover most areas of England for dry riser installation, please send across your drawings to info@durcans.co.uk for your free quotation.

Locations we reguarly work in for installation, servicing, maintenance, pressure testing and repairs include: London, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Peterborough, Luton, Stevenage, Chelmsford, Lincoln,Colchester, Basildon, Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Boston, Mansfield, Coventry, Rugby, Bedford, Harlow, Braintree, Bury St Edmonds, Kings Lynn, Ipswich, Brentwood, Watford, St Albans, Hatfield plus many more.