When a fire breaks out in a multi-storey building, firefighters need reliable access to water at the appropriate locations. A dry riser helps provide that access, but its pipework, valves and connections must remain in suitable working condition for the system to perform as intended.

At Artius Fire Protection, we provide professional dry riser testing in Brighton & Hove, supporting managing agents, facilities managers, commercial landlords and those responsible for maintaining building fire-safety systems.

Our services include annual hydraulic pressure testing, six-monthly visual inspections, planned maintenance and remedial repairs. We can assist with dry riser systems in residential apartment buildings, commercial properties, hotels and mixed-use developments.

Whether you manage a residential block in Hove, commercial premises in central Brighton or several properties across the city, our team can discuss your testing requirements and help you establish an appropriate maintenance programme.

To arrange dry riser testing, call 0203 004 0003 or contact Artius Fire Protection .

Professional Dry Riser Inspection and Testing in Brighton

A dry riser consists of fixed pipework connected to an external inlet, with landing valves positioned at designated locations throughout a building.

During a fire, the fire and rescue service can connect its pumping appliance to the inlet and charge the system with water. Firefighters can then connect hoses to the appropriate landing valves.

Unlike wet risers, dry risers are normally left empty.

As a result, deterioration or damage affecting the system may not become apparent during normal building use. A leaking connection, defective landing valve or deteriorated seal could remain undetected until the installation is inspected or tested.

Regular maintenance helps identify these problems and provides building managers with information about the condition of their systems.

Our existing wet and dry riser services  cover installation, testing, servicing and remedial repairs.

For properties in Brighton & Hove, maintaining a suitable inspection schedule is an important part of managing installed firefighting equipment.

Annual Dry Riser Pressure Testing

An annual hydraulic pressure test is designed to assess the integrity of a dry riser under pressure.

The test helps identify leakage and other defects that might not be visible during a routine inspection.

During testing, the system is connected to appropriate pumping equipment and a water supply. It is then filled, pressurised and monitored using the applicable procedure.

Artius’s published annual testing procedure describes applying a pressure of 10 bar at the inlet for at least 15 minutes. The appropriate test requirements should be confirmed for the particular installation and applicable standard.

While the system is pressurised, accessible joints, landing valves and associated components are inspected for evidence of leakage.

Once the test has been completed, the dry riser is drained and returned to its normal condition.

If the installation cannot maintain the required pressure, the cause should be investigated.

Depending on the findings, remedial work and subsequent retesting may be necessary.

Annual hydraulic testing provides a practical assessment of the system’s ability to maintain pressure, helping building managers identify faults that might otherwise remain unnoticed.

Six-Monthly Dry Riser Inspections

Annual pressure testing should be supported by regular visual inspections.

The normal maintenance programme for dry risers includes visual inspections at intervals of no more than six months, in accordance with BS 9990.

These inspections help identify visible damage, deterioration, missing components and other issues that could affect the system.

Relevant checks include:

  • The condition and operation of inlet and landing valves.

  • Whether blank caps, chains and washers are present and undamaged.

  • The condition of inlet cabinets, doors and associated fittings.

  • Evidence of corrosion or physical damage.

  • Whether hand wheels and nuts remain in place and operate correctly.

  • The condition of inlet breeching connections.

  • Whether landing outlets remain accessible and unobstructed.

  • The presence and condition of required identification signage.

Where defects are identified, the findings should be recorded and appropriate maintenance arranged.

For example, a missing blank cap may leave a connection exposed to dirt or interference, while corrosion affecting an inlet cabinet can lead to further deterioration.

Addressing these issues helps maintain the installation between annual pressure tests.

A visual inspection is not a substitute for hydraulic testing. Both activities serve different purposes and should be included in an appropriate maintenance programme.

Dry Riser Testing for Brighton’s Residential Developments

Brighton & Hove contains a mixture of established residential neighbourhoods, converted properties and modern apartment developments.

Not every multi-storey building has a dry riser, but where one is installed, its inspection and maintenance arrangements need to reflect the system and the building’s fire-safety requirements.

For residential developments, managing agents may need to coordinate access to communal stairwells, inlet cabinets and landing valves.

These components should remain accessible to the fire and rescue service and should not be obstructed by stored belongings or other items.

Regular inspections provide an opportunity to identify missing components, damaged fittings and other visible defects.

Annual pressure testing provides a separate assessment of the integrity of the installation.

Where a development contains several blocks, the responsible person should ensure that each installed system is clearly identified and included in the maintenance schedule.

For buildings with additional passive fire protection requirements, Artius also provides fire door inspections in Brighton .

Dry risers and fire doors perform different functions, but both are important considerations when maintaining the fire-safety arrangements of a residential building.

Supporting Hotels, Commercial Premises and Mixed-Use Buildings

Arranging dry riser testing in an occupied building requires consideration of access, operational requirements and the location of the installed equipment.

In a hotel, testing may need to be coordinated with the property management team to avoid unnecessary disruption to guests and staff.

For a commercial office building, engineers may require access to several floors, plant areas or designated firefighting facilities.

Mixed-use developments can introduce additional considerations, particularly where commercial and residential areas are managed by different organisations.

Before arranging a visit, it is useful to establish the number of risers installed, the location of their inlets and landing valves, and whether previous inspections have identified any outstanding defects.

Where testing involves a temporary impairment of the system, appropriate arrangements should be made by the responsible person.

Artius can discuss the practical requirements of dry riser testing for commercial and mixed-use properties throughout Brighton & Hove.

Where a building has additional active fire protection requirements, our fire alarm systems in Brighton  and fire sprinkler systems in Brighton  may also be relevant.

Each system has its own purpose and maintenance requirements, which should be considered individually.

What Happens if Your Dry Riser Fails Its Test?

A failed pressure test indicates that the installation requires further investigation.

The cause may involve a leaking joint, deteriorated washer, damaged valve or another issue affecting the system’s integrity.

Some defects may be relatively straightforward to address, while others could require more extensive repairs.

Artius provides dry riser maintenance and remedial services, including work involving valves, washers, inlet cabinets, landing outlets and associated fittings.

The appropriate repair will depend on the nature and extent of the identified fault.

Following remedial work, the system should be retested as necessary to establish whether the problem has been resolved.

If a significant defect affects the availability of the dry riser, the responsible person should consider appropriate interim fire-safety measures until the installation has been restored.

Maintaining a record of the initial test, identified defects, completed repairs and subsequent testing also provides a useful history for future maintenance.

Our team can discuss the findings of a failed test and advise on the next steps.

Managing Dry Riser Maintenance Across Multiple Brighton Properties

For managing agents and facilities management companies, maintaining several properties can involve coordinating different inspection dates, access arrangements and maintenance requirements.

One building may contain a single dry riser, while another may have multiple systems serving separate areas.

It is important that each installation is identified and included in the maintenance programme.

A useful approach is to maintain a record of each system’s location, previous inspection dates, outstanding defects and next scheduled test.

Where an organisation takes responsibility for a new property, reviewing the existing maintenance documentation can help identify gaps in its service history.

If records are incomplete or the date of the last pressure test is unknown, the responsible person should review the available information and arrange appropriate inspection or testing.

For organisations managing properties across Brighton, Hove and the wider area, coordinated maintenance can help ensure that inspections are scheduled and identified faults are followed up.

Artius can discuss testing requirements for individual buildings and multi-property portfolios.

Dry Riser Testing Across Brighton & Hove

Artius Fire Protection has an established regional presence, with its head office in Crawley, West Sussex, and existing fire protection services covering Brighton and the surrounding areas.

We can discuss dry riser testing requirements for properties throughout Brighton & Hove, including central Brighton, Hove, Kemptown, Preston, Patcham and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Whether you manage a commercial building, residential development or several properties, our team can review your requirements and discuss suitable testing arrangements.

For properties requiring additional fire protection support, Artius also provides fire risk assessments in Brighton  and fire stopping services in Brighton .

These services address different aspects of fire safety and may be relevant to organisations reviewing their wider building maintenance arrangements.

Why Choose Artius Fire Protection?

Dry riser testing requires an understanding of the installation, its components and the importance of identifying faults before the system is needed.

Artius provides installation, testing, servicing and remedial support for wet and dry riser systems, alongside a wider range of fire protection services.

Our team supports building owners, managing agents and facilities managers responsible for commercial and residential properties throughout Brighton and the surrounding regions.

By working with Artius, you can access:

  • Professional annual dry riser pressure testing.

  • Six-monthly visual inspections.

  • Support with planned servicing and maintenance.

  • Identification and assessment of defective components.

  • Remedial repair services where required.

  • Testing information and recommendations for necessary work.

Our aim is to provide clear, practical information that helps building managers understand the condition of their systems and make informed maintenance decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Riser Testing in Brighton

How often should a dry riser be tested?

A dry riser should normally receive a visual inspection every six months and an annual hydraulic pressure test, in accordance with BS 9990. Additional inspection or testing may be appropriate following damage, significant repairs or other circumstances affecting the installation.

What does an annual dry riser pressure test involve?

An annual test involves filling the system with water, applying the appropriate pressure and checking whether it can maintain that pressure without unacceptable leakage. Accessible joints and landing valves are inspected, and the system is drained after testing.

Can dry riser testing be arranged for an occupied apartment building?

Yes. Testing can be planned around the building’s access arrangements and maintenance requirements. Managing agents should establish how engineers will access the inlet, landing valves and other relevant components before the visit.

What happens if a dry riser fails its annual test?

The cause should be investigated, and appropriate remedial work arranged. Following repairs, the installation should be retested as necessary. Any significant impairment affecting the system’s availability should also be appropriately managed by the responsible person.

Can Artius arrange dry riser testing for several properties in Brighton & Hove?

If you manage multiple buildings, contact our team to discuss their locations, installed systems and current maintenance arrangements. We can review your requirements and discuss suitable testing and servicing options.

Arrange Dry Riser Testing in Brighton

If your building’s dry riser is due for its annual pressure test, requires a six-monthly inspection or has an identified fault, Artius Fire Protection can help.

Our team supports building owners, managing agents and facilities managers with dry riser testing, servicing and remedial work throughout Brighton & Hove.

Whether you need an individual inspection or would like to discuss ongoing maintenance for several properties, we can review your requirements and advise on the next steps.

Call 0203 004 0003 or contact Artius Fire Protection  to arrange dry riser testing in Brighton.