Dry Riser Testing, Inspection & Maintenance to BS9990
🚒 Professional Dry Riser Inspection & Testing Services
Dry risers are an important part of the fire-fighting infrastructure within many multi-storey buildings, providing the Fire and Rescue Service with a means of delivering water to upper floors without having to run long lengths of hose through the building.
For a dry riser to be relied upon during an emergency, it must be properly maintained, inspected and tested.
Kings Fire provides dry riser inspection, testing coordination, maintenance and remedial services across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, London and the wider Home Counties.
Six-monthly visual inspections and annual wet pressure testing can be arranged as part of a planned dry riser maintenance programme, giving customers one straightforward point of contact for the ongoing management of their system.
👁️ Six-Monthly Dry Riser Visual Inspections
Dry riser systems should receive an interim visual inspection at six-monthly intervals in accordance with BS 9990.
Kings Fire carries out these inspections directly using our own trained and qualified engineer.
The inspection is intended to identify visible defects, damage, interference or deterioration that could affect the availability or operation of the system.
Depending on the installation, our inspection may include checks of:
- Dry riser inlet breeching
- Inlet cabinet and door
- Inlet identification and signage
- Landing valves
- Landing valve cabinets
- Cabinet doors, locks and glazing
- Caps and chains
- Visible pipework and supports
- Evidence of damage, corrosion or leakage
- Missing or damaged components
- Signs of vandalism or unauthorised interference
- Accessibility of inlets and outlets
- General condition of the dry riser installation
Any defects identified can be reported so that suitable remedial action can be considered.
💧 Annual Dry Riser Wet Pressure Testing
In addition to the six-monthly visual inspection, dry risers require an annual wet pressure test in accordance with BS 9990.
Kings Fire does not currently carry out the hydraulic wet pressure test using our own equipment.
Where annual wet testing is required, we arrange the test through our specialist dry riser contractor and coordinate the work for our customer.
This means you can still use Kings Fire as your main point of contact for the dry riser maintenance programme while the specialist hydraulic testing element is carried out by the appropriate contractor.
The wet test checks the integrity of the system under pressure and can identify problems that would not necessarily be visible during a routine visual inspection.
🔍 Why Regular Dry Riser Inspection Matters
Dry risers may remain unused for long periods, but they need to be immediately available if required by the Fire and Rescue Service.
Because inlets and landing valves can be located in communal or externally accessible areas, systems can also be vulnerable to accidental damage, deterioration, vandalism or theft.
Regular inspection can identify issues such as:
- Damaged or missing landing valves
- Missing caps or chains
- Broken cabinet glazing
- Damaged inlet cabinets
- Corrosion
- Missing signage
- Obstructed access
- Damaged pipework or supports
- Evidence of leakage
- Unauthorised interference
Finding these issues during planned maintenance allows remedial work to be arranged before the system is needed in an emergency.
🔧 Dry Riser Repairs & Remedial Works
Where an inspection or annual test identifies defects, Kings Fire can arrange suitable repair or remedial works.
Typical requirements may include:
- Replacement landing valves
- Replacement caps and chains
- Inlet breeching repairs
- Replacement cabinet doors or glazing
- Replacement identification signage
- Repairs to damaged pipework or supports
- Replacement seals or components
- Repairs following vandalism or accidental damage
For more significant faults or specialist works, we can coordinate the appropriate contractor and provide a clear quotation before work proceeds.
🏢 Dry Riser Maintenance for Commercial & Managed Properties
Dry risers are commonly found in buildings where the Fire and Rescue Service requires a reliable means of supplying water to upper levels.
Kings Fire can support a wide range of organisations and property types, including:
- Blocks of flats and residential developments
- Commercial offices
- Hotels
- Universities and educational buildings
- Hospitals and healthcare premises
- Warehouses and logistics buildings
- Industrial premises
- Shopping centres
- Mixed-use developments
- Property management portfolios
- Local authority and housing provider buildings
For organisations responsible for several properties, we can also help coordinate recurring dry riser inspections across multiple sites.
📋 Reports, Defects & Ongoing Maintenance Records
Following a Kings Fire visual inspection, customers receive a record of the inspection and details of defects identified.
Where further work is required, remedial actions can be quoted separately.
Maintaining clear service records helps Responsible Persons, facilities managers, managing agents and building owners demonstrate that the dry riser is included within an appropriate planned maintenance regime.
Where Kings Fire also manages other fire safety services at the premises, dry riser inspection can form part of a wider planned fire safety maintenance programme.
⚖️ Dry Risers, BS 9990 & Fire Safety Responsibilities
BS 9990 is the recognised British Standard covering non-automatic fire-fighting systems in buildings, including dry and wet rising mains.
The standard includes recommendations relating to their inspection, testing and maintenance.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 also requires relevant fire safety facilities, equipment and devices to be subject to a suitable system of maintenance and maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair where necessary to safeguard relevant persons.
A planned dry riser maintenance programme therefore helps building operators demonstrate that these important fire-fighting facilities are being appropriately managed.
🔗 Part of Your Wider Fire Safety Maintenance
Dry riser maintenance is often only one part of the fire safety responsibilities within a commercial or managed building.
Kings Fire can also provide:
Fire Extinguisher Servicing – BAFE-approved servicing and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
Fire Alarm Servicing – planned maintenance and fault support for commercial fire detection systems.
Emergency Lighting Testing – periodic inspection and testing of emergency escape lighting.
Fire Risk Assessments – helping Responsible Persons identify and manage fire safety risks.
Fire Door Inspections – inspection and reporting on fire-resisting doorsets.
Fire Hydrant Testing – inspection and testing of private fire hydrants.
This allows customers with multiple fire safety requirements to coordinate more of their planned maintenance through one established fire protection company.
📍 Dry Riser Services Across the Home Counties & London
Kings Fire supports commercial and managed premises across:
Bedfordshire • Hertfordshire • Buckinghamshire • Northamptonshire • Cambridgeshire • Oxfordshire • London
We also work throughout the wider Home Counties and can support organisations operating multiple premises across our service area.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Dry Riser Testing & Maintenance
How often should a dry riser be inspected and tested?
Dry risers should normally receive a visual inspection at six-monthly intervals together with an annual wet pressure test as part of the maintenance regime recommended by BS 9990.
What is checked during a six-monthly dry riser inspection?
The visual inspection can include the inlet breeching, inlet and landing valve cabinets, landing valves, caps and chains, signage, visible pipework, supports and the general condition and accessibility of the system. Visible damage, deterioration, corrosion, leakage or missing components can also be identified and reported.
What is an annual dry riser wet pressure test?
The annual wet pressure test assesses the integrity of the dry riser system under hydraulic pressure. It can identify leaks, pressure loss and other defects that may not be apparent during a routine visual inspection.
Can Kings Fire arrange annual dry riser wet testing?
Yes. Kings Fire can arrange and manage annual wet pressure testing as part of a planned dry riser maintenance programme, providing customers with one straightforward point of contact for their ongoing requirements.
What standard applies to dry riser testing and maintenance?
BS 9990 is the recognised British Standard covering non-automatic fire-fighting systems in buildings, including recommendations for the inspection, testing and maintenance of dry and wet rising mains.
Can Kings Fire arrange dry riser repairs and remedial works?
Yes. Where defects are identified, Kings Fire can arrange suitable remedial works including replacement landing valves, caps and chains, cabinet components, glazing, signage, seals and other dry riser components.
Why is regular dry riser maintenance important?
Dry risers may remain unused for long periods but must be available when required by the Fire and Rescue Service. Regular inspection and testing helps identify damage, deterioration, vandalism, leakage or missing components before they affect the operation of the system.
Do you provide reports following dry riser inspections?
Yes. Customers receive a record of the inspection and details of defects identified where applicable. Any recommended repairs or remedial works can then be quoted separately.
Can you manage dry risers across multiple buildings?
Yes. Kings Fire can support managing agents, housing providers, facilities managers and other organisations responsible for multiple properties requiring recurring dry riser inspections, testing and maintenance.
Where does Kings Fire provide dry riser services?
Kings Fire provides dry riser inspection, testing coordination, maintenance and remedial services across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, London and the wider Home Counties.
📝 Request a Dry Riser Inspection or Testing Quotation
If your dry riser is due its six-monthly inspection, annual wet pressure test or requires remedial work, speak to Kings Fire.
We can establish what is due and provide the appropriate quotation.
Complete our online enquiry form, call our fire safety team on 01462 337037, or ask us about multi-site and property portfolio dry riser maintenance.