We hope you enjoyed and found our previous post on the Dry Riser System helpful. Now, allow us to tell you more about its counterpart in the Rising Main System: the Wet Riser System. Working hand in hand, they help to provide efficient fire protection in high-rise buildings.
Also located within smoke-stop lobbies, external corridors, outside staircases and other common areas, the Wet Riser System needs to be accessible to support the fire-fighting operations in buildings.
Simply put, it is a fixed installation of water-supplied pipes on the building premises that are permanently charged with water so that higher floors—which require greater pressure to supply water to—will always have immediate access to water supply during fire-related emergencies.
What kind of building requires a Wet Riser System?
This system is required for buildings of more than 60m of habitable heights according to the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings and the Code of Practice for Fire Hydrant, Rising Main and Hose reel systems (SS 575: 2012).
Who is responsible for the Wet Riser System?
Like the Dry Riser System, the parties responsible for the installation, inspection and maintenance of the Wet Riser System are Building Owners and Council Members. Engaged to assist with these services are Fire Protection Specialists, like BSE, MCST Managing agencies, and/or technicians.
What kind of maintenance will the Wet Riser System need and how often?
By regulation, the common frequency of inspection, testing and maintenance of the Wet Riser System, including its fire pump systems in buildings, is Monthly. However, the regulatory testing of the Wet Riser System is conducted Annually.
The maintenance process:
1. Inspection of Wet Riser System and equipment:
Automatic Air Release Valve
Landing Valves
Drain Test Valves
Breeching Inlet
Pipeworks (Risers/ Downcomers)
Standby Fire Hose
Fire Pump Systems
Water Storage Fire Tank
Earthing
2. Testing of Wet Riser System and equipment under Water Flow Rates—Static Pressure and Running Pressure
3. Identification of defects for recommendation and rectification in a timely manner.
Tips on having an optimum Wet Riser System
Ensure that RISER PIPES are properly INDICATED AND NUMBERED with the water flow directional area.
Ensure that RISER PIPES are charged with water supply without leakage.
Ensure that all LANDING VALVES are secured—leather-strapped and padlocked—to prevent tampering.
Ensure that the BREECHING INLETS are kept in operational and functional condition for use in the event of an emergency.
Ensure that the WET RISER SYSTEM passes the regulatory tests for the building requirements with fully operational Fire Pumps that can provide the required water pressure throughout the pipes!