Dry Riser Testing Requirements Explained (BS9990:2015)

If you're responsible for a building over 18 metres tall in the UK, the law expects your dry riser system to be tested on a strict schedule — and the fire brigade expects it to work first time. Get the testing wrong, and you're not just non-compliant. You're putting firefighters and residents at risk.

This guide, written by the team at Viva Fire Protection, walks you through exactly what BS9990:2015 requires, who can carry out the tests, what the pass criteria are, and what happens if your system fails. We've installed, tested and stocked parts for dry riser systems across the UK for years, so this is the practical version — not the textbook one.

What the Law Actually Says

Dry riser testing in the UK is governed by BS9990:2015 — Non-automatic fire-fighting systems in buildings. It sits alongside the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places the duty of keeping fire safety equipment in working order squarely on the Responsible Person. That's usually the building owner, managing agent, or facilities manager.

BS9990:2015 sets out two testing frequencies:

• Six-monthly visual inspection — a competent person checks every component is present, accessible, and in visibly good condition.
• Annual wet pressure test — the system is charged with water and held at a specified pressure to prove it's leak-free and structurally sound.

Skipping either of these is a compliance issue and a very real safety risk. Insurers and fire risk assessors will pick it up, and so will the fire brigade if they ever need to use the system.

The Annual Wet Pressure Test — What Actually Happens

This is the test that catches most problems. Here's what a compliant annual test looks like on site.

Step 1: Isolate and Prepare

The engineer will ensure all the outlet valves and the drain valves are closed. Connect a test pump to the inlet breaching valve on the ground floor. All landing valves must be accessible — if a cupboard has been built around one, that gets flagged before testing even starts.

Step 2: Charge the System

Water is pumped into the dry riser until it reaches the top. Air is released through the automatic air release valve. Once the system is fully charged, the engineer raises the pressure to 12 bar (1200 kPa).

Step 3: Hold for 15 Minutes

The system must hold 12 bar for 15 minutes with no pressure drop. Any loss of pressure points to a leak — at a landing valve, a joint, the inlet, or somewhere in the pipework itself.

Step 4: Drain and Reinstate

The drain valve is opened, the system is fully emptied, and the engineer reinstates all caps, chains, and signage. A test certificate is issued and a copy goes into your fire safety logbook.

Six-Monthly Visual Inspection

Between annual pressure tests, the six-monthly visual inspection is just as important. Over six months, landing valves get tampered with, cabinets get damaged, and caps go missing. The visual inspection catches all of that before it becomes a test failure.

Our full checklist is in our separate article, Dry Riser Maintenance Checklist for UK Facilities Managers, but the headline items are inlet breaching valve condition, landing valve operation, drain valve function, air release valve, padlocks and caps, and clear signage.

Who Can Carry Out Testing?

BS9990:2015 requires a "competent person". In practice that means a qualified fire protection engineer with the correct pressure testing equipment, liability insurance, and knowledge of the standard. It is not a DIY job. Using an unqualified tester won't satisfy your insurer or your fire risk assessor.

Viva Fire Protection provides dry riser testing and certification nationwide. If you'd rather hand this off, get in touch for a quote.

What If the Test Fails?

Failures are common, the most frequent issues we see:

• Leaking landing valves — gaskets, washers or the valve itself have perished. Often a straight swap for a new BS5041-compliant unit.
• Seized hand wheels — years of no use, or damp cabinets. Can sometimes be freed, often need replacing.
• Missing caps and chains — easy fix, but until they're back on you'll fail.
• Damaged inlet breaching valve glass — replacement glass and gaskets solve it.
• Perished inlet washers — instantaneous couplings need clean, unperished washers to seal under pressure.

Every one of those parts is available from UK stock at dryriserparts.co.uk with next-day dispatch. We supply fire protection engineers, facilities teams and M&E contractors across the UK every day.

Record-Keeping and Certification

Your test certificate and logbook are what the fire service, your insurer, and a fire risk assessor will ask for. Each certificate should include:

• Date of test and date of next scheduled test
• Name and qualifications of the tester
• Test pressure achieved and duration held
• List of any defects found and remedial actions taken
• Confirmation of reinstatement

Keep certificates for a minimum of six years. Digital copies are fine, but make sure the hard copy lives in the building's fire safety file.

Why Get This Right

Dry risers don't get used often, but when they do, it's the worst day of someone's life. A system that fails its 12 bar hold on a quiet Tuesday test is a system that would have failed a fire crew mid-incident. That's why BS9990 is uncompromising on the numbers — and why Viva Fire Protection takes the same approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does a dry riser need testing in the UK? Every six months for a visual inspection (recomendation) and every twelve months for a full wet pressure test, as required by BS9990:2015.

What pressure is a dry riser tested at? 12 bar (1200 kPa), held for 15 minutes with no pressure drop.

Who is responsible for dry riser testing? The Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — typically the building owner, managing agent or facilities manager. The test itself must be carried out by a competent person.

How much does dry riser testing cost? Costs vary by building size, number of floors and landing valves, and location. Contact Viva Fire Protection for a free nationwide quote.

What happens if my dry riser fails the test? The defects must be rectified and the system retested before a pass certificate can be issued. Common faults like worn gaskets, perished washers, seized valves and missing caps can usually be resolved quickly with parts from UK stock.

Do I need to test a brand-new dry riser? Yes. New systems require commissioning tests to BS9990 before handover, and then fall into the standard six-monthly and annual schedule.

Get the Parts You Need — UK Stock, Next-Day Dispatch

Whether you're fixing a test failure or stocking up for a scheduled service round, dryriserparts.co.uk has the full range of BS5041-compliant landing valves, inlet breaching valves, gaskets, washers, caps, chains, padlocks and cabinets. All from UK stock, all shipped nationwide, and all backed by the fire protection expertise of Viva Fire Protection.

Need testing carried out, not just parts? Contact Viva Fire Protection for a nationwide quote.