Dry and wet risers play a critical role in high-rise and commercial building fire protection strategies. These essential components enable rapid fire fighting response and compliance with UK building regulations. Whether you’re designing a new building or maintaining an existing one, understanding the difference between these systems, and ensuring they are properly installed and serviced, can make all the difference during an emergency.
Wet & dry risers: what’s the difference?
While both systems perform a similar function (providing a water supply to fight fires), they are used in different types of buildings and under different conditions.
| Dry Risers | Wet Risers |
| Definition: A dry riser is an empty pipe installed vertically through a building, with inlet connections at ground level for the fire service to pump water in during an emergency. | Definition: A wet riser is permanently charged with water, supplied from a dedicated water tank or main pump. |
| Typical Use: Commonly used in buildings up to 50 metres in height. | Typical Use: Mandatory in buildings over 50 metres tall, where relying on external water pressure isn’t feasible due to height. |
| Operation: The fire brigade connects to an external inlet, fills the pipe with water and uses outlet valves (landing valves) on various floors to fight the fire. | Operation: Ready for instant use, allowing faster response for on-site teams or firefighters. |
Why you need wet & dry risers
Wet & dry risers are essential for legal compliance, enabling rapid fire brigade response, safeguarding building occupants and protecting property.
Meet the Team
From our engineers on the ground to the supportive office staff who keep everything moving, our Mechanical team is made up of passionate individuals who are proud of the work they do. Their dedication ensures our clients receive safe, compliant and effective fire protection every day.
Dave
Head of Mechanical Fire Safety
Jodi
Office Manager
Michael
Mechanical Service Manager
Sonia
PFX Scheduling Team Leader
Paul
Mechanical Technical Manager
Chloe
Mechanical Scheduler
Michael
Sprinkler Designer
Kayleigh
PFX Scheduler
Finlay
Customer Accounts Administrator
Rachel
PFX Scheduler
Michelle
Outsource Administrator
Adhi
Outsource Administrator
Carina
Finance & Operations Support
Hayley
Billing & Administrator
How we can help: design, install, service & maintain
At Marlowe Fire & Security, our specialists offer end-to-end support for dry & wet risers, ensuring full compliance and readiness:
Maintenance & repairs: Emergency repairs, replacements and upgrades to ensure your system is always ready when it matters most.
Design: Bespoke system layouts to meet your building size, layout and usage needs, in line with BS 9990 and other standards.
Installation: Professional fitting by trained engineers, using high-quality components and best practices.
Servicing & testing: Regular inspections, including 6-monthly visual checks and annual pressure tests, to maintain performance and legal compliance.
Dry and wet risers are life-saving systems that form a critical part of your building’s fire strategy and compliance.
If you’re unsure whether your building needs a dry or wet riser or want to make sure your existing systems are compliant and functional, get in touch with our expert team today.
Contact us Today
e. hello@marlowefireandsecurity.com
t. 0333 010 2000