Wet Riser Systems
Designing, installing, and maintaining fully compliant wet riser systems that enhance building safety and support fast, effective firefighting operations.
What is a wet riser system?
A wet riser system is a permanently charged vertical pipe network that supplies water directly to key points throughout a building. Unlike dry risers, which remain empty until charged by the fire service, wet risers are kept full at all times via a dedicated tank and pump arrangement. This ensures immediate water flow when firefighters access the landing valves on each floor.
Wet riser systems typically include rising mains, outlet valves, pump sets, water storage tanks, monitoring equipment, pressure regulators, and control panels. They’re designed to deliver consistent water pressure to upper floors, enabling rapid firefighting intervention and supporting safer evacuation during an emergency. In buildings where height or complexity could delay traditional firefighting access, a wet riser system is essential.
Where are wet risers required?
Wet risers are generally required in buildings above 50 metres, or where the building layout demands instant access to water at height. They’re most commonly installed in:
- High-rise residential and mixed-use buildings
- Commercial office towers
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Hotels and large public buildings
- Transport hubs and high-occupancy structures
- Complex multi-storey sites with extended travel distances
As per the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsible persons must ensure that wet risers are not only correctly and professionally installed, but also fully maintained, accessible, and operational at all times.
Our wet riser installation services
We provide a complete design-and-build service for wet riser systems, tailored to your building height, occupancy, risk profile, and local firefighting requirements. Our installation service includes:
- Full site surveys and pressure calculations
- System design with CAD layouts and performance modelling
- Specification of pumps, tanks, valves, pipework, and control equipment
- Installation by our qualified engineers using certified components
- Integration with building water supplies and fire safety systems
- Commissioning, flow testing, and final sign-off
All our installations are completed to BS 9990, with clear documentation, certification, and photographic evidence to support building compliance.
Wet riser testing, inspection, and maintenance
With proactive maintenance, your wet riser system remains in peak condition and ensures they’re ready to support firefighters immediately when needed. To remain reliable and compliant, wet risers should undergo:
- 6-monthly visual inspections – This involves checking valves, outlets, signage, accessibility, and overall condition
- Annual wet pressure testing – This involves charging the system to ensure performance, integrity, and adequate flow and pressure levels
Our maintenance service includes operational checks, valve and pump testing, leak detection, system flushing, and verification of monitoring equipment. We maintain detailed service records to support legal compliance and provide recommendations for any required remedial work.
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To find out more about our wet riser installations and maintenance, get in touch with us today. We support single high-rise buildings and multi-site portfolios across all types of sectors to not only enhance building safety, but also ensure full compliance with legal obligations.
0808 175 5202
