The Importance of Dry Riser Testing

Many businesses across the country have Dry Riser systems which do not get tested annually. Dry Riser systems are a vital piece of equipment which the Fire Brigade will use in the event there is a fire in your building. If this equipment does not operate correctly or fails during use not only are firefighters put at risk but anyone in the building and control of the fire itself. 

Building Regulations: Approved Document B (Fire Safety) requires that any building more than 18m high, measured from the fire brigade access level to the top floor, or which has floors more than 10m below ground must be provided with 'fire fighting shafts' and a fire fighting rising main. This can be a wet or dry riser.

If this equipment does not operate correctly or fails during use not only are firefighters put at risk but anyone in the building and control of the fire itself.

British Standards (BS 9990:2015) states that Dry Riser systems are wet tested every 12 months to ensure they operate correctly. It also states that the Dry Riser system is visually inspected at 6 monthly intervals. 

One of the areas which is often overlooked from a clients point of view is to ensure that adequate insurance is in place prior to the testing. Dry Riser systems can fail during the test which may then cause areas to flood and potentially cause damage to the property. 

Kings Fire can provide annual Dry Riser testing together with the 6 monthly visual inspection. We can also provide you with full remedial works in the event of a failure during testing. This gives you piece of mind if the unthinkable happens you have this vital piece of fire fighting equipment in full working order. 

If you have any questions or would like to get quality fire safety advice please contact us, we'd be only too happy to help.