Dry Riser testing is an essential and integral part of asset fire protection to ensure the equipment is in good working order. The importance of a working dry riser can not be underestimated. Dry Risers are an essential part of any building design where the height of the building exceeds 18 metres from the Fire & Rescue Service access level to the top floor. They are also required where there are floors more than 10 metres below ground.

The facility owner, building owner, site owner/operator has a duty of care to ensure that fire protection equipment including dry risers are inspected and in a serviceable condition at all times, with evidence of annual testing and maintenance with a valid certificate of compliance in place.

Even although dry risers are installed into buildings, you cannot take for granted that they will function as required.

What testing is required on a dry riser?

British Standard BS 9990 lays out recommendations for dry riser testing, maintenance and servicing.

Dry Riser Visual Inspection

The visual inspection of dry risers, required every 6 months, is to ensure that there are no obvious signs of damage and the inlets, landing valves are fully operable with no signs of vandalism. It is important to document this and to quickly repair or replace any damaged or missing parts.

It is a legal requirement that all dry riser installations pass an annual dry riser wet test.

Our annual testing covers the following:

• Hydraulic pressure test (or wet pressure test).
• A comprehensive test of all valves, washers, seals, inlet and outlet valves is carried out along with a cabinets and signage inspection.
• Lubrication of moving parts where required.
• Once the test is complete the dry riser system is drained and outlet valves are closed and secured with padlocks and straps.
• Finally the inlet breeching cabinet is closed and locked where fitted.