Dry Risers - Essential Things You Must Know About Their Purpose and Maintenance

Dry riser is basically a part of fire suppression system and consists of a vertical pipe, which can distribute water to different levels or storeys in a building. The dry riser differs from a ‘wet standpipe’ or ‘wet riser’ in terms of maintaining water in the pipe to be used in fire fighting operations. A dry riser in contrast is kept empty of water.

Dry riser usage

The risers are used in a number of structures that have limited fire service access. In such structures, the fire safety system can be utilized to distribute water in case of a fire emergency. Few structures where dry risers may be effectively used are:

• Buildings of height 18 M or above.
• Car parking lots
• Multilevel basements
• Hospital corridors

Dry riser system

Dry risers consist of a system of vertical pipes or a single pipe, which can distribute water to the top most level of the building. A typical riser system installation consists of three components. These components are the inlet and outlet points and the main network of pipes. 

In case of a fire emergency, the inlet points are used to fill the pipes with compressed air. This helps in releasing water from the outlet point. For providing easy access in case of an emergency, the outlet points are situated on the higher levels of the building for easy access.

For efficient functioning, it is essential that the inlet point of the system has access to fire engines within a range of 18m.

The installation consists of a number of interrelated systems. The ground level has the Inlet breeching system located within the inlet breeching cabinet. In an emergency situation, the water travels to the different levels of the building through the external walls, which has the riser pipe. At each level of the building, the installation of water pipes provides an internal connection. The air release valves are fitted at the top of the pipe. This allows the air compressed in the pipe to escape when water is introduced from the inlet breeching point.

Why do you need a dry riser?

There are a lot of regulations stating the requirement for these systems to be installed and maintained in a building. Few reasons why their installation and regular maintenance is advisable are:

• They are important from the perspective of ensuring the safety of people within the premises.
• The people, who provide the premise for the pipe installation, bear the responsibility to ensure that the proper installation and maintenance is done.
• After a fire emergency or accident, the fire investigators may seek information and certificates regarding the installation and maintenance of the systems.
• In case the property owners and managers fail to comply with the installation and maintenance requirements, penalties may be imposed on them.
• Failure to comply with the installation and maintenance regulations regarding the systems could invalidate the fire insurance.

It is essential that the repairs and maintenance of the system are undertaken on a regular basis by a competent and certified professional, so as to increase the working of such pipes.