Dry Riser Testing & Maintenance Services Manchester & London, UK

What is a Dry Riser?

A dry riser consists of:

Inlet breeching at ground level (for the fire brigade to connect water)
Vertical pipework running through the building
Landing valves at each floor level (where firefighters attach hoses)
Pipe supports, brackets, and drain valves

They are required in many buildings over a certain height (typically +18m) to ensure rapid delivery of water to higher floors.

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01204 310540 | 07891 679033

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Dry Riser Testing (Maintenance Requirements)

Visual Inspection — Every 6 Months

A competent person checks:

Inlet breeching condition
Landing valves and outlets
Caps, chains, washers
Pipework integrity and supports
Signage and accessibility

This ensures the system is mechanically sound and ready for use.

Full Wet Pressure Test — Annually

Once a year, the system must be:

Filled with water
Pressurised to 12 bar (or manufacturer/spec standard)
Monitored for leaks and pressure loss
Checked for correct operation of all valves

A certificate is issued once passed.

Why Testing Is Critical

Ensures the fire service can instantly deliver water to any floor
Detects leaks, corrosion, or vandalism early
Required by fire safety regulations and insurers
Vital for life safety in high-rise buildings

How often should a dry riser be tested?

BS9990: 2015 requires dry risers to be tested under pressure annually with a visual inspection every six months.
We schedule service visits bi-annually for maintenance and are split into two types of service visit:

Major Service

Full maintenance check & inspect of all parts of the system for compliance with BS9990:2015
Fully open and close each landing valve and grease mechanical workings
Replace any worn or missing parts including washers, straps, padlocks, gaskets etc.
Charge the system with water and pressurise to 12 Bar
Monitor for a period of no less than 15 minutes
Drain all water from the system and replace seals, caps and plugs
Provide a detailed test report and certificate

Minor Service

All of the above without the pressure test

Dry Riser