Posted By SBH
Do older buildings have to have risewrs or is it from a certain date when it applies

Posted By Malcolm Greenhouse
Done some more digging,the need for fire fighting shafts is described in Sect 18 of Approved Document B5 of the Building Regs. Within fight fighting shafts you will find either Wet or Dry risers, see below.

The problem with building regulation was that they were not retrospective, however the fire reform order and the need for a fire risk assessment meant that many of the modern improvements to firefighting could be viewed as reasonably practical solutions to fire risk. This means that where possible they should be added to buildings, especially if they are being refurbished where the enhanced building regs would come into play anyway.

What is a ‘Wet Riser’?
A ‘wet riser’ is a water pipe kept constantly filled and pressurised. It is supplied by either a mains pump, a storage tank and pump or a mains pressure supply. Generally buildings above 60m high will have a wet riser. This can be identified from the outside as there will be no visible pipework or inlet for the fire brigade. With wet riser systems internal valves on landings stating ‘Wet Riser Outlet’ can be found, usually resembling taps. These can also be protected inside wired glass or lockable metal boxes.

What is a ‘Dry Riser’?
A ‘dry riser’ is a system of pipes and valves used to enable the Fire Services to distribute water to various levels of tall buildings as part of the fire suppression system.
The dry riser pipe has a connection for the fire department at ground level which is usually recessed into the outside of the building and protected in a wired glass or lockable metal box.
The fire brigade can then pump water through this external point of the dry riser to allow the fire-fighters to connect hoses where required on each level of the building.
A dry riser is usually required wherever there is a floor over 18 metres above ground level or in low level buildings with over 60m distance from entrances.