Step by Step guide to Dry Riser Maintenance
Step by step guild to dry riser maintenance.Even though dry risers are an integral part of any buildings fire protection not everyone understands how they are maintained.
If you are a property owner or building management company we have come up with a step by step guide. Hopefully to help you better understand how Dry Risers should be properly maintained.
Step 1
Establish yourself on site and report to any security and sign in if required, and locate the inlet breaching valve.
Step 2
Check the inlet breaching valve for any damage, make sure the drain valve and non return valves are working correctly and all nuts and bolts are tight- Also check previous maintenance sticker for previous test results.
Step 3
Trace all horizontal pipework (if visible), when doing this you are checking that all brackets and couplings are secure.
Step 4
–Starting from the top valve we check the landing valve, clamps and pipework are in good condition and free from any vandalism.
–Open and shut the valve to check operation.
– Carry out ‘pull test’, this a process of attaching a hose (as the fire bridge would) and making sure it locks in place.
– Check the instantaneous washer for corrosion or damage( this is a rubber washer on the inside of the outlet valve that seals the fire hose and stops any leaks), if any sign of corrosion replace.
–Spray all moving parts with lubricant.
– Check cabinet for damage to glass or frame.
Step 5
Follow Step 4 on all floors, once this is done one engineer goes back to the top floor and awaits further instructions.
Step 6
Connect fire hose from the fire pump to the inlet port connection, and install test rig to monitor pressure in the system. Then start slowly filling the system up with water.
Step 6
The engineer at the top of the dry riser and the engineer operating the pump will be in constant contact via 2 way radios. Open the highest landing valve and allow water to run through ( this is to show no blockages are in the system), once the system is full the fire pump in switched off and system is checked for any leaks. The pressure at this stage should be around 4 bar.
Step 7
Gradually increase the pressure, whilst checking the system is free of any leaks until we reach 12 bar. Turn off pump and release pressure from fire hose.
Step 8
Monitor pressure gauge and further check the system for any signs of leaks.
Step 9
After 15 minutes release pressure back into our water bowser until the system is fully drained.
Step 10
Issue sites audit report to client , along with official certificate of conformity to show system is in good working order.
The above steps are for the 12 monthly hydraulic pressure test, steps 1-5 are to be followed for the 6 monthly visual inspections.
We hope that all the step by step guide to maintenance has been helpful.And given you a bit more of an insight in to how we feel a dry riser system should be properly maintained. If you think that any of the above information is incorrect or would like a bit more information feel free to get in touch we are always happy to discuss dry risers info@firetechdryrisers.co.uk
