Wet Risers are an essential component of fire protection systems, ensuring that all extinguishing agents are quickly available to firefighters in the event of a fire. The purpose of wet risers is to provide a constant supply of water to sprinklers and other firefighting equipment, automatically supplying the necessary pressure needed for effective fire suppression.
What are Wet Risers?
Wet Risers consist of vertical copper pipes that connect water supplies to sprinkler systems, generally situated within a building’s inner core, so that all areas of the building are provided with access to the water supply.
The Wet Riser will be connected to the water main and stored in a cistern with the necessary suction and pressure valves. The water is then drawn from the cistern and fed to the upstream of the system. If the main supply goes out, the wet riser will draw from a secondary backup water tank. This tank is connected to the dry riser system and bypass pump, ensuring a constant supply of water that can be used in the event of a fire.
What is the purpose of Wet Risers?
The purpose of the Wet Risers is to give firefighters quick and unlimited access to the water supply, enabling them to quickly extinguish fires, thus minimising the damage and losses. By providing a reliable and uninterrupted flow of water, long enough to reach multiple stories, wet risers allow firefighters to quickly move their defensive position if the situation requires.
Although wet risers are not designed to actively fight fires, they provide a crucial component of any effective fire suppression system. In order to ensure maximum safety and protection from fires, property owners should ensure that their Wet Risers are inspected and maintained on a regular basis. This will help to ensure that extinguishing agents can be easily and quickly accessed, which could save both lives and property.
Wet Risers are a key part of any comprehensive fire protection system. By providing easy and reliable access to the water supply for firefighting equipment, they enable firefighters to quickly and efficiently battle any fire that may arise. Property owners should therefore make sure that their Wet Risers are regularly inspected and maintained, to make sure they are in good working condition and ready to provide the much needed water supply in the event of a fire.
What are the current UK Laws surrounding Wet Riser Systems?
The UK requires that all Wet Risers, including components, be installed in accordance with the applicable British standards and manufacturer’s requirements. This includes compliance with the relevant code of practice and the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Wet Riser System should have an alarm system designed to alert people to the presence of a water supply failure and the system should have a regularly serviced maintenance schedule. The system should also be clearly and safely labelled to identify the source of the water supply, pressure control valves, stop valves, emptying valves, and alarm devices. A pressure or flow test should be performed annually to ensure the riser is operating correctly.
What buildings require a Wet Riser System?
A wet riser system is typically found in certain types of buildings over 50 meters such as hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, office buildings, and high-rise buildings, where there is a need for a large amount of rapid firefighting response capacity. This system generally consists of pipes, valves, and fittings creating a means of delivering pressurised water for firefighting. In order to ensure the system functions properly, all components must meet certain safety regulations.
Are you ready to invest in the correct fire safety systems for your business?
Concept Fire Sprinklers provides design, installation and maintenance of Wet Riser Systems. We understand the importance of safety in the event of a fire and encourage our clients to seek our advice and to consult with us to ensure the correct fire safety system is provided for their premises. Our experienced team of engineers can help to identify and plan the correct system to ensure your property is protected from the devastating effects of a fire. With a range of models available from the most basic through to the most complex, we have the ideal system for you. We offer full maintenance of the system and have the necessary specialist equipment to complete testing and inspection.