In compliance with the Buildings Decree, buildings higher than 20 metres have to be provided  with one or more dry risers. Dry risers are steel pipes featuring inlet and fire hose connections. They enable the fire brigade to pump the required quantity of water to the right spot in a minimum of time, using the engine-driven pump in the fire appliance.

In compliance with the NEN 1594 standard the correct functioning of these risers has to checked once every 12 months. The risers must first be tested, respectively hydrostatically tested, after installation and subsequently every five years.

Annual maintenance of risers

Visual inspection of the risers, checking the proper functioning of manual control valves and handwheels, checking the presence of control valves/handwheels/blind covers/connectors/wall cabinets/pictograms, checking access to the risers.

Hydrostatic testing of risers

During the hydrostatic test the riser will be charged with water and then submitted to a pressure of 2400 kPa, measured at ground level. This pressure must be maintained during 5 minutes, without water being added.

The following procedures will be carried out as well: visual inspection of the risers, checking the manual control valves and handwheels for their proper functioning, checking the presence of control valves/handwheels/blind covers/connectors/wall cabinets/pictograms, checking access to the dry risers.

If a riser proves to be free of faults or leakages, Paraat will issue a certificate that will be valid for five years, from the date of carrying out the pressure test.