FIXED INSTALLATIONS
DRY AND WET RISERS
COMPETENCE STATEMENT 373
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AIM
To enable the individual to use a rising main for
firefighting
OBJECTIVES
1) Recognize a dry riser inlet
2) Recognize a dry/wet riser outlet
3) State the building heights for dry/wet risers
4) List the actions to be taken to check a dry riser
system
5) Deploy a firefighting jet from a riser
6) Describe the system to drain a dry riser
7) Describe typical locations of dry/wet riser outlets
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TYPES OF BUILDINGS WITH RISERS
Air valve
Dry rising
main
1) High rise :Dwelling
Offices
Factories
2) Multi - storey car
parks
Inlet
Drain
valve
3) Shopping centres
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DRY RISER INLET
1) Usually housed in a wired glass
fronted box:
At ground level
Near front entrance
External wall
2) Identified by the words DRY RISER
painted in red on the glass
3) Normally two fire service inlets inside the box
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DRY/WET RISER OUTLET
1) A valve with a wheel type handle and a female
instantaneous coupling
2) Direction for opening is shown on the wheel
itself or on a plate between the wheel and the
locking nut
3) Usually locked closed with a wire and lead seal
or a leather strap to prevent unauthorised use
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LOCATION OF RISER OUTLET
1) a)
b)
Firefighting staircase lobby
Enclosed staircase
2) On every floor or every alternate floor
3) May be in a marked glazed cupboard
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ADVANTAGES OF RISING MAINS
1) Hose quickly got to work
2) Greater capacity
3) Less risk of water damage
4) Adjacent buildings are covered
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CHECKING DRY RISER SYSTEM
1) Ensure all landing valves are closed prior to
charging
2) Drain after use
3) Ensure all landing valves are closed before
leaving
4) Report any defects to a responsible person
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DEPLOYING A FIREFIGHTING JET
FROM A RISER
1) Two lengths of 45mm hose and a branch will
have been supplied to the floor below the fire
2) Taking hose through fire doors from stairwell to
corridor where fire is may allow products of
combustion to affect bridgehead
3) It may be possible to use Fixed Installation
hosereels
4) Commence salvage operations on the floor
below the fire as soon as possible
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DRAINING A DRY RISER
1) Drain hose out of a window and disconnect
2) Close landing valves
3) Open drain cock at riser inlet
4) If auto air valve is not fitted open top landing valve
5) If top landing valve was opened close it
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QUESTIONS
1) State the building heights for both dry and wet
risers
Buildings greater than 18m – Dry Riser.
Buildings greater than 60m – Wet Riser.
2) Where would the dry riser inlet usually be found?
At ground level.
Near front entrance.
External wall.
3) What is the purpose of the air valve in a dry rising
system?
Vents air out of system when charging and lets air into system when
draining.
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QUESTIONS cont’d
4) List four advantages of using rising mains
Hose quickly got to work.
Greater capacity.
Less risk of water damage.
Adjacent buildings are covered.
5) List the precautions taken when checking dry
risers
Ensure all landing valves are closed prior to charging.
Drain after use.
Ensure all landing valves are closed before leaving.
Report any defects to a responsible person.
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QUESTIONS cont’d
6) Where are riser outlets normally found?
Firefighting staircase lobby.
Enclosed staircase.
On every floor or every alternate floor.
May be in a marked glazed cupboard.
7) Name three types of building where risers are
normally installed
High rise:- Dwellings
Offices
Factories
Multi-storey car parks
Shopping Centres
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QUESTIONS cont’d
8) What device is fitted to landing valves to protect fire
brigade hose and on what type of riser would it be
found?
Pressure regulators on Wet Risers.
9) What are the three sources of water for a wet riser?
1) Water Main, 2) Gravity Tanks, 3) Booster pumps supplied from
storage tanks.
10) What is the procedure for draining a dry riser?
a) Drain hose out of a window and disconnect.
b) Close landing valves.
c) Open drain cock at riser inlet.
d) If auto air valve is not fitted open top landing valve.
e) If top landing valve was opened close it.
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