Dry Riser Maintenance Checklist for UK Facilities Managers

If you manage a building with a dry riser system, keeping it properly maintained isn't just good practice — it's a legal requirement. Dry risers are a critical part of your building's fire safety infrastructure, giving the fire brigade a way to deliver water to upper floors quickly during an emergency. A faulty system could cost lives.

This guide breaks down exactly what needs checking, how often, and what the law says.

What Is a Dry Riser and Why Does It Matter?

A dry riser is a vertical pipe installed in buildings over 18 metres tall. It stays empty until the fire brigade connects their pump at ground level and pushes water up through the system to outlet valves on each floor. It's a simple concept, but every component — from the inlet breaching valve to the landing valves and drain valve — needs to be in full working order when it counts.

What Does BS9990:2015 Require?

Under BS9990:2015, the British Standard for fixed fire fighting systems, dry risers must be visually inspected every six months and pressure tested annually by a competent person. Failing to meet these requirements could leave you non-compliant and personally liable in the event of an incident.

Your Six-Monthly Visual Inspection Checklist

Here's what should be checked during every visual inspection:

Inlet Breaching Valve (Ground Floor)

  • Cabinet or housing is accessible and clearly signed
  • The breaching valve opens and closes freely with no visible damage
  • Caps and chains are in place and secure
  • The glass panel (if fitted) is intact

Landing Valves (Each Floor)

  • Every landing valve is accessible and not blocked by storage or furniture
  • The hand wheel turns smoothly
  • The valve cap and chain are present and in good condition
  • Gaskets and instantaneous washers are seated properly with no signs of wear
  • There are no leaks or signs of corrosion

Drain Valve

  • The drain valve at the base of the system operates correctly
  • It fully drains the system after testing

Air Release Valve

  • Fitted at the top of the system and functioning properly
  • No blockages preventing air from escaping during charging

Padlocks and Security

  • All outlet valves are either in cabinets or are secured with padlocks and straps with correct signage.
  • Padlock straps are intact and not damaged
  • cabinets and glass are in good condition.

The Annual Pressure Test

Once a year, a competent engineer must carry out a full wet test. This involves charging the system with water to its working pressure and checking every joint, valve, and connection for leaks. Any failed components — whether that's a worn gasket, a seized landing valve, or a damaged breaching valve — must be replaced before the system can pass. You can book a service/test by emailing service@vivafire.co.uk

Common Parts That Need Replacing

Dry riser components wear out over time. The most frequently replaced parts include landing valves, gaskets, instantaneous washers, hand wheels, caps and chains, drain valves, and padlock straps. If your system fails its annual test, you'll need to source compliant replacement parts quickly to avoid extended non-compliance.

All of these parts are available at dryriserparts.co.uk, with UK stock ready for fast delivery. Every product meets the requirements of BS9990:2015 and BS5041, so you can be confident you're fitting the right parts.

Keep Records

BS9990:2015 requires you to keep a log of all inspections, tests, and any remedial work carried out. This should include dates, findings, parts replaced, and the name of the engineer. Good record-keeping protects you during audits and fire risk assessments.

Don't Wait for a Failed Test

The smartest approach is to inspect your dry riser components regularly between formal tests. A quick visual check of your landing valves, breaching valve, and inlet cabinet every couple of months can flag issues before they become expensive problems. Replacement parts like gaskets, washers, and valve caps are low-cost items that prevent far bigger headaches down the line.

Browse the full range of BS9990-compliant dry riser parts at dryriserparts.co.uk — everything you need to keep your system compliant and ready for the fire brigade.

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