Risers and hydrants give firefighters a fast, reliable supply of water inside and around a building, so they do not have to run hoses all the way from a fire appliance in the street. A riser is a vertical pipe built into a building with outlets on each floor, while hydrants provide water points around a site. Together they are a vital part of the firefighting provision in larger and taller buildings. MEP designs, supplies, installs and maintains wet risers, dry risers and hydrant systems across the UK.
A dry riser is normally empty. In the event of a fire, the fire service connects a pump at the inlet at ground level and charges the pipe, then takes water from landing valves on each floor. Dry risers are used in buildings up to a certain height. A wet riser is permanently filled with water, kept pressurised by pumps and a stored supply, so water is always available at every landing valve. Wet risers are required in taller buildings where a dry riser could not deliver enough pressure.
Hydrants provide water for firefighting around a building or site, connected to the water main or a private supply, and are essential where the public network is too far away to be relied on. Risers and hydrants must be designed, installed and maintained to specific standards to make sure they work when the fire service needs them. We handle the full scope, from design and installation to inspection and testing, so your firefighting water provision stays compliant and dependable.
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A dry riser is normally empty and charged by the fire service through a ground-level inlet. A wet riser is permanently filled with pressurised water, ready at every floor.
In taller buildings, where a dry riser could not provide enough pressure at the upper floors. Building height determines which is needed.
It gives firefighters a water supply around a building or site, connected to the water main or a private supply, so they are not reliant on distant sources.
Wet and dry risers are designed, installed and maintained to BS 9990, which sets out the requirements for firefighting water systems in buildings.
Yes. They must be inspected and tested regularly to confirm they will perform when needed, which we carry out as part of our service.
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