A dry riser is essential for keeping tall buildings safe in the event of a fire; using a series of pipe work and valves that run up the building, firefighters can then access water from every individual floor. Typically used where the top floor of the building is over 18 meters tall, a dry riser system consists of a vertical pipe starting from a water inlet on the ground level that is installed on an external wall, where it is accessible in the event of a fire. Each floor then has a dry riser cabinet, containing a landing valve that firefighters can use to get water to that floor. Dry risers are often located in their own shaft, sometimes referred to as a firefighting shaft.

A visual inspection of dry rise systems should be carried out every six months and a water test should be carried out every twelve months. Our engineers carried out a thorough check of the dry riser system including water pressure and outlets to ensure there was no leaks. They also pumped water through the system to flush it through, confirming that it was not only safe but ready to use in the event of an emergency.

A well installed and maintained dry riser system could make all the difference between life and death. Here at Total Safe, our engineers are experts at spotting potential issues with dry riser systems and ensuring that they are fixed and operating correctly to avoid any issues or delays should a firefighter need access.