Dry Riser and Wet Riser Systems
Designing, installing, and maintaining fully compliant dry riser and wet riser systems that enhance building safety and support fast, effective firefighting operations.
Dry riser and wet riser systems for high-rise and multi-storey buildings
A wet riser and dry riser system is designed to deliver water quickly to upper floors in high-rise and multi-storey buildings in the event of an emergency, helping to improve response times and reduce reliance on internal hose runs or a complex set-up on site. At Facilities Fire, we provide specialist dry riser and wet riser systems that support safe, compliant firefighting access in high-rise buildings.
Every dry riser and wet riser system we provide is built to integrate in your wider fire safety strategy, working alongside fire alarms and detection, emergency lighting, evacuation planning, and passive fire protection to keep your building safe, resilient, and fully compliant.
Whether you require a wet riser and dry riser system as part of a new building or you need ongoing compliance support for an existing site, we deliver end-to-end design, installation, testing, and maintenance of both wet risers and dry risers.
What are dry riser systems?
Dry risers are essential vertical water distribution systems that allow the fire service to deliver high-pressure water quickly to upper floors during an emergency. A dry riser system consists of vertical pipework, landing valves, and an external inlet connection (breeching inlet) where firefighters attach their hose equipment.
Designed for buildings typically between 18-60 metres in height, dry risers form a vital part of your building’s firefighting infrastructure, enabling rapid response and improving fire safety for occupants.
How dry riser systems work
A dry riser system remains empty during normal operation. In an emergency, firefighters connect to the external inlet breeching, which allows them to charge the system with high-pressure water from their fire engine.
The water is then directed vertically through the system to landing valves located on each floor, providing immediate access to firefighting water supplies. This enables rapid response and avoids the need to drag hoses up stairwells or use internal lifts.
Dry risers are typically installed in:
- Multi-storey commercial buildings
- High-rise residential blocks
- Hospitals, hotels, and public buildings
- Car parks and industrial facilities
They must be accessible, easy to operate, and fully compliant with height and layout requirements.
Dry riser installation, testing, and maintenance
At Facilities Fire, we design, install, and maintain dry riser systems to ensure dependable performance during emergency operations. Our services include:
- Installation using certified pipework, landing valves, and breeching inlets
- Initial pressure testing and commissioning
- Required annual pressure tests and 6-monthly visual inspections
- Flow rate checks, valve testing, and defect remediation
- Compliance documentation and certification
All our work is completed in accordance with BS 9990 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to ensure your system remains legally compliant and fully operational at all times.
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What is a wet riser system?
A wet riser system is a permanently charged vertical pipe network that supplies water directly to key points throughout a building. Unlike dry risers, which remain empty until charged by the fire service, wet risers are kept full at all times via a dedicated tank and pump arrangement. This ensures immediate water flow when firefighters access the landing valves on each floor.
Wet riser systems typically include rising mains, outlet valves, pump sets, water storage tanks, monitoring equipment, pressure regulators, and control panels. They’re designed to deliver consistent water pressure to upper floors, enabling rapid firefighting intervention and supporting safer evacuation during an emergency. In buildings where height or complexity could delay traditional firefighting access, a wet riser system is essential.
Where are wet risers required?
Wet risers are generally required in buildings above 50 metres, or where the building layout demands instant access to water at height. They’re most commonly installed in:
- High-rise residential and mixed-use buildings
- Commercial office towers
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Hotels and large public buildings
- Transport hubs and high-occupancy structures
- Complex multi-storey sites with extended travel distances
As per the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsible persons must ensure that wet risers are not only correctly and professionally installed, but also fully maintained, accessible, and operational at all times.
Wet riser installation, testing, and maintenance
We’re proud to provide a complete wet riser service, covering design, installation, commissioning, testing, and ongoing maintenance, tailored to your building’s height, layout, and fire risk profile.
Our wet riser installation services include:
- Site surveys and pressure calculations
- Specification of pumps, tanks, valves, and pipework
- Installation using certified components
- Commissioning, flow testing, and system sign-off
All installations are completed in line with BS 9990 with full certification and compliance documentation provided.
Our wet riser testing and maintenance services include:
- 6-monthly visual inspections, looking at valves, outlets, signage, accessibility, and condition
- Annual wet pressure testing, checking system integrity, flow, and pressure performance
- Ongoing servicing, fault identification, and detailed reporting
This ensures your wet riser system remains compliant, reliable, and ready for emergency response.
If you need a new wet or dry riser installation, routine testing, or support with compliance and maintenance, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to book a site assessment or to get expert guidance on the right system for your building.
01296 615700
