Wet and Dry Riser Testing
Wet and dry risers are important systems used as part of your fire safety management. It is vital that they are regularly serviced and maintained in line with British Standards to ensure they work effectively when needed.
Why is dry & wet riser testing needed?
Dry risers are used to provide water within buildings in the event of a fire. They differ from wet risers in that they do not hold water when not in use. Wet risers are a system of valves and pipework that always contain pressurised water. They make water readily available to extinguish or prevent a fire. Buildings above 18 metres tall have dry risers and building above 60 metres tall have wet risers.
This equipment needs to be ready for use in an emergency and severe penalties can be imposed if they fail to work. If systems fail they could endanger life and property. Testing ensures that the system works correctly to British Standard BS9990:2006 and looks for signs of vandalism, finds any blockages in the pipework and checks air valves.
How can Equiptest help you?
We provide responsive testing to British Standards and can supply the full range of products that may be required for new and existing systems. We can arrange all testing at times to suit your business and ensure there is a minimum amount of disruption to work environments.
Our testing is comprehensive, testing pressure levels, all outlets and equipment and any storage areas. All service work we undertake will be in line with your building’s fire risk assessments and fire certificate.
How often should our wet or dry risers be tested?
The annual testing and maintenance of both dry and wet risers is the responsibility of the property owners or managing agents. British Standard 9990:2006 recommends that the system is visually inspected every 6 months and serviced annually to ensure that the equipment is ready for immediate use in an emergency.
In addition, it is recommended that a ‘full wet test’ be carried out annually, comprising of a wet pressure test to 150 PSI or 10 Bar subjecting the mains to a full working test. If you do not undertake regular testing you could invalidate your insurance.
