Dry Riser Installation – What you Need to Know

Almost everyone installs a fire safety prevention system in their house but very few pay attention to how will any fire fighting crew get access to water mains. Studies have shown that poor and limited access to water mains is the main cause of fire not getting controlled in time and causing great destruction both of property and life. This becomes specifically critical in case of high rise buildings, apartment blocks or office buildings. Another issue plaguing the control is the low pressure of water from the point of connection. All these issues can be fixed with a dry riser installation which not only provides easy access to water on each and every floor of the building but also maintains adequate pressure of the water supply in each floor for a highly effective and efficient fire-control.

What are dry risers?

A dry riser is a water supply system consisting of a vertical pipe and supported by a system of pipes to evenly and quickly distribute water to multiple floors of a building simultaneously. A critical part of fire suppression systems, these are normally fitted in a staircase or any other suitable position close to water mains. They must be installed in a fire proof enclosure, within 18 m of fire engine access to the inlet box. Their outlets are mostly fitted at ground levels so that the fire control experts can easily and quickly connect to the water supply.

Few facts about dry risers

• These systems are installed by trained personnel. Dry risers normally have compressed air filled inside their pipes but can be immediately filled with water to fight fire by pumping from Fire Service Appliances.
• These are installed as a complete system having an inlet breeching connector at the base floor or at fire service access level. It has landing valves installed at specific points on each floor.
• These systems can be installed at a maximum height of 50m above the fire service access level.
  
  

Laws regarding its installation

The British standard code of practice has laid down certain rules regarding its installation which are:-

• They must be mandatorily installed in buildings with floors 18 metres to 60 metres above ground level.
• These systems should be made of galvanized wrought steel.
• Their installation must conform to the building regulations and requisite permission sought if necessary.
• The local fire service or experts must be consulted for suitable position of installation so that it can meet the standards.
• The system must be visually inspected and serviced every six months and a full test including a pressure test conducted annually by a professional company so that the system does not fail in time of crisis.

If the rules and regulations are not adhered to, the non-compliance can attract penalty with prosecution as well.