How often does a dry riser need testing?
BS 9990 calls for an annual wet pressure test at 10 bar, held to prove the main is sound, plus a visual inspection every six months covering the inlet, landing valves and signage.
BS 9990
Dry Riser Test Certificate (BS 9990)
Fill it in on site, sign on screen, and send a professional Dry Riser PDF before you leave the job.
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A dry riser test certificate records the inspection and testing of a dry rising main under BS 9990, the standard for non-automatic fire-fighting systems in buildings. Dry risers let the fire and rescue service pump water up through a building, so BS 9990 calls for an annual wet pressure test at 10 bar alongside a six-monthly visual inspection.
For fire protection companies and building managers, the certificate is the evidence that the riser will actually deliver water when the fire service connects to it. The responsible person under the Fire Safety Order must maintain the riser, and fire risk assessors, enforcing authorities and insurers will expect to see current test certificates.
TradePlanr lets you complete the certificate on your phone or tablet as you test: log the riser and inlet details, record the test pressure, duration and any pressure drop, work through the landing valves floor by floor and produce a branded PDF for the building manager before you leave.
What it covers
- The building, responsible person and testing company details
- Riser details: the building and riser identification, floors served and inlet type
- The annual pressure test: test pressure, duration, any pressure drop and the overall result
- A landing valve schedule recording the condition and operation of the valve on each floor
- The inlet breeching, inlet box, door and signage condition
- Defects found and remedial work required
- The next test due date, declaration and signature
When it's required
BS 9990 calls for a wet pressure test of the dry rising main at 10 bar annually, plus a visual inspection every six months, with a certificate issued for each so the maintenance record is continuous.
The responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order must keep fire-fighting facilities, including dry risers, maintained and in working order, and test certificates are the standard evidence.
Blocks of flats, commercial buildings and any premises with a dry riser will be asked for current certificates by fire risk assessors, the fire and rescue service and insurers.
How to issue it in TradePlanr
- 1
Enter the building and riser details
Record the building, responsible person and your company, then identify the riser, the floors it serves and the inlet type.
- 2
Record the pressure test
Charge the main and log the test pressure, duration and any pressure drop, then record the overall pass or fail result for the annual 10 bar test.
- 3
Check the landing valves floor by floor
Work through the landing valve schedule, recording the condition and operation of the outlet valve on each floor served.
- 4
Inspect the inlet and signage
Check the inlet breeching, inlet box and door, and confirm the signage is present and legible, logging any defects for remedial action.
- 5
Sign and send the PDF
Set the next test due date, add your signature and generate a branded PDF for the building manager, with a copy stored against the job.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the annual pressure test involve?
The riser is charged with water to 10 bar and held while the tester checks for pressure drop and leaks, then each landing valve is inspected. The certificate records the pressure, duration, any drop and the result.
Who is responsible for dry riser maintenance?
The responsible person for the building under the Fire Safety Order, typically the building owner or managing agent. They usually contract the testing to a fire protection company, and the certificate evidences the duty has been met.
What happens if the riser fails the test?
Defects such as leaking valves, missing blank caps or damaged inlets are recorded on the certificate with the remedial work required. The riser should be repaired and retested, as a failed riser could leave fire crews without water at height.