Dry and wet risers are components of firefighting systems designed to supply water to various levels of a building for use in the event of a fire. They are commonly used in tall structures where it may be challenging for firefighters to quickly access water from ground-level hydrants. Both dry and wet risers consist of vertical pipes that allow water to be delivered to different floors, but they differ in term of their water supply arrangements.
A dry riser constitutes a pipe that typically remains devoid of water under normal circumstances, only being charged with water when required during firefighting interventions. Unlike wet risers, dry risers lack a permanent water supply. Instead, they are designed to connect to an external water source, such as a fire engine or a fire hydrant, utilising hoses. Before utilisation, firefighters must fill the dry riser with water either manually or with the assistance of a fire engine pump. This flexibility makes dry risers particularly suitable for buildings where maintaining a constant water supply in the riser may be impractical or where freezing conditions could pose challenges. The adaptability of dry risers ensures their efficacy in providing a reliable and on-demand water source for firefighting operations, enhancing the overall fire safety measures in diverse architectural settings.
A wet riser is a dedicated pipe system that remains consistently filled with water, serving as a crucial component in fire safety infrastructure. This system is commonly linked to a pressurized water source, which can be either a dedicated water tank or a municipal water supply. The defining characteristic of wet risers is their constant retention of water, ensuring an immediate and reliable water supply for firefighting purposes. In the event of a fire, firefighters can efficiently access this water reservoir by connecting hoses to strategically positioned outlets on each floor of the building, facilitating swift and effective response to emergencies. The permanence of water within the wet riser system isa key element in enhancing the overall firefighting capabilities of structures equipped with this safety feature.
“Losses from fires in buildings protected with sprinklers are estimated to be 1/10 of those in unprotected buildings.”
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