Hose reels and rising mains are fixed firefighting equipment found in larger buildings. They're very different from extinguishers – and two of them are for the fire service only.

What Each One Is

  • Hose reel – a reel of rigid hose connected to the water supply, for trained occupants to tackle a fire. Made to BS EN 671-1.
  • Dry riser – an empty pipe running up the building, with an inlet outside and outlets on each floor. Firefighters pump water into it from a fire engine. For fire service use only.
  • Wet riser – the same idea, but kept full of water with its own tanks and pumps, for taller buildings. For fire service use only.

Which Buildings Have Risers?

Under building regulations guidance for England and Wales, buildings over 18 metres need fire mains – either dry or wet risers up to 50 metres, and wet risers above 50 metres. Scotland and Northern Ireland have similar requirements in their own building standards.

Maintenance

  • Hose reels – annual maintenance to BS EN 671-3.
  • Dry risers – a visual inspection every six months and a wet pressure test every year, under BS 9990.
  • Wet risers – the same, plus maintenance of the tanks and pumps.

Regular visual checks are important. Riser valves are usually made of bronze, which has scrap value, so they're a target for theft – as well as vandalism.

High-Rise Flats in England

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require the responsible person for residential buildings at least 18 metres tall (or with 7 or more storeys) to check rising mains, firefighting lifts and other firefighting equipment every month, and to report any fault that can't be fixed within 24 hours to the fire and rescue service.

Inlets, Outlets and Security

  • Inlets – dry riser inlets are in red or stainless steel boxes on the outside of the building, marked "Dry Riser Inlet". Keep them clear, and make sure the fire service can park nearby.
  • Anti-vandal covers – steel covers that fit over the inlet and lock with a standard fire brigade padlock, so firefighters can still open them quickly.
  • Outlet valves – the valves on each floor can be secured with a leather strap and padlock, to stop tampering and unauthorised use.

See also Fire Safety Log Books: What to Record.

Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides what your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.

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