Scope of work

Test dry riser system in accordance with BS 5306.

Defnitons
For the purposes of this document, the following defnitons apply

Rising Mains A vertcal pipe installed in a building for the fre fghtng purposes, fted with inlet connectons at
Ground Level, and outlet valves at specifed points, which is normally dry but capable of being
charged with water, usually by pumping from a Fire Service appliance.

Landing Valve An assembly comprising a valve and outlet connecton from a wet or dry riser.

Inlet Breeching An assembly comprising inlet connectons and a drain valve, normally fted within an inlet box.

Air Release Valve The valve fted at the highest point of the dry riser to provide automatc bleeding of air from the
system when it is flled with water.

Low Level Drain Valve The valve fted at the lowest point of the dry riser in cases where parts of the system are installed
below the inlet breeching.

Competent Person A competent person is one who has practcal and theoretcal knowledge, and actual experience of
the type of equipment which the person has to examine, as will enable the person to detect
defects or weaknesses and to assess their importance to the proper functoning of the equip
ment.

General
All tests are carried out using pressurised water. It is considered dangerous to test a dry rising main using compressed air.

All personnel involved in testng should maintain efectve contact (e.g. by radio) with the pump operator at all tmes so that
the pump can be shut down in the event of a failure.

It is important to ensure that all landing valves are closed and secured before commencing work.
Method Statement: Testing Dry Riser System

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Chase Fire, Chandos Pole St, Derby DE22 3BJ tel: 01785 252568 www.chase-fre.co.uk
It is important to ensure the adequate drainage is available when carrying out the fow test and when draining the dry riser.

Test Procedure
Check the inlet box (if fted) door and hinges are undamaged and the locking arrangement works satsfactorily.

Inlet boxes (if fted) should be secured by a night latch type lock if the door is glazed or by a light padlock if the door is solid.

The positon of the inlet (if fted within a box) should be clearly indicated using the appropriate sign in accordance with
BS5499: Part 1, using letering height of 50mm.

If a system has any components or pipework below the level of the inlet breeching, a sign indicatng the locaton of the low-
level drain valve should be displayed in the inlet box (if fted). In additon, a sign should be displayed by the low-level drain
valve indicatng its purpose.

Check the inlet breeching has a drain valve, which operates, and that water will drain to waste without causing damage.

Check the non-return valves in the inlet breeching operate and the seals are present and in good conditon.

If there are outlet boxes, they should be checked as for the inlet boxes. If the landing valves are not in boxes, check they are
secured closed with a strap and padlock.

When valves are housed in boxes, the positon of the outlet valves should be clearly indicated using the appropriate sign in
accordance with BS 5499: Part 1, using a leter height of 50mm.

Check all landing valves to ensure there is no obvious damage and the handwheel is securely fxed to the stem.

Check the featheredge outlet seal is undamaged, then replace or renew as required.

Release any padlocks and check the valves operate freely. Leave them locked in the closed positon.

Check the outlet twist mechanism operates freely and there is room for a standard dividing breeching to be fted into the
valve.

Check that ventlated blank caps are fted.

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Chase Fire, Chandos Pole St, Derby DE22 3BJ tel: 01785 252568 www.chase-fre.co.uk
Pressure Test
Before carrying out a wet test, check the outlets on all foors are closed, and the breeching drain cock and any low level drain
valves are shut.

Connect a single line of hose from the pump to the inlet breeching via a pressure release valve.

Open the pump delivery and allow the main to fll at engine tck-over pressure.

At a pressure of approximately 0.1 bar per metre of height will be needed to fll the main, additonal pump assistance may be
needed.

Allow system to fll air being released through the air release valve, if fted.

Open the roof or highest outlet and allow water to discharge onto the roof untl it is clean and free of any debris. Close the
roof outlet landing valve.

Check the air release valve functons and does not allow any water spillage.

Walk down to Ground Floor, checking at each level there are no leaks from the rising pipe or landing valves.

At the inlet breeching, check the non-return valve of the inlet not in use is working.

Shut of the pump and reconnect the hose to the other inlet. Switch on the pump and check the non-return valve of the frst
inlet.

Having checked there are no major leaks, the system should be pressurised to 10 bar at the inlet and the pressure at the high-
est outlet with no fow should be recorded. The diference between the inlet and outlet pressure is the statc head and will
be approximately 0.1 bar per metre of height.

Once the system is pressurised, the pump should be turned of and the hose disconnected from the inlet. The statc pressure
at either inlet or outlet should be observed. Any drop in pressure indicates a leak in the system and a reducton of more than
2 bar within 15 minutes is classifed as a failure.

In the event of a pressure loss, drain system immediately, check at all levels for leaks to rising mains joints, landing valves, air
release valve, inlet breeching and drain valve, and report cause of leak to client.

If no pressure loss, the system must be pressurised at 10 bar inlet pressure for at least 15 minutes without mechanical failure.
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Chase Fire, Chandos Pole St, Derby DE22 3BJ tel: 01785 252568 www.chase-fre.co.uk
Flow Test
Flow tests are carried out only where practcal.

Connect a short length of hose and an approved and calibrated fow metre to the roof mounted outlet valve (valve in closed
positon).

Run the pump to 10 bar at the inlet, and fully open the roof outlet valve, allowing water to discharge onto the roof.

Allow water to discharge for a period of at least 30 seconds. Record fow rate.

Close outlet valve, stop pump and disconnect hose.

Shut down the pump and open the pressure release valve to release pressure in the hose before disconnectng it from the in-
let.

Remove any test gauges and drain down the riser via the breeching drain cock.

Close the drain valve, reft the blank caps to the inlet breeching.

Rectification of Defects
Any maintenance and rectfcaton of defects must be carried out by a competent person in accordance with the manufactur-
ers instructons.

Replacement of Parts
Only the correct components supplied or specifed by the manufacturer of the equipment or equivalent approved parts should
be used to replace those found to be unsuitable for contnued service.

Certificate and Report
Upon completon of the test where defects are found furnish client with
detailed Test Report and quotaton for remedial works.

Upon satsfactory completon of the test afer remedial works (if any) furnish client with Certfcate of Conformity and copy
of the Test Report.

Working Practce
Chase Fire engineers will, at all tmes, be mindful of the client and the specifc requirements of the site.

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Chase Fire, Chandos Pole St, Derby DE22 3BJ tel: 01785 252568 www.chase-fre.co.uk
Chase Fire engineers are fully trained on and experienced with dry riser systems, and their associated parts and components.

Chase Fire engineers are fully trained on and experienced with the use of all tools, plant and safety equipment to be used to
carry out these works.

Chase Fire engineers are supplied with all the necessary personal safety equipment, including hard hats, goggles, ear defend-
ers, safety boots, overalls, high visibility jackets etc.

Chase Fire engineers are supplied with necessary free standing signs, warning tapes and barriers.

Chase Fire engineers each have mobile telephones and two way radios.

Chase Fire vehicles will be driven onto site only with the approval of the client, and whilst on site will be driven in a safe man-
ner, fully in compliance with site safety requirements.

Chase Fire vehicles will be parked in a safe and appropriate manner, and will display hazard warning lights and fashing bea-
cons when considered appropriate and necessary.

Safety Equipment
Hard hats, safety boots, full overalls and high visibility waistcoats will be worn as required and necessary.

Ear defenders, eye protectve goggles, safety gloves, breathing masks and harnesses to be worn as appropriate and necessary,
and as required by the client.

Safe Working
Notfy relevant and responsible client representatve of area of work at all tmes.

Learn, understand and acton specifc site emergency procedures note this may vary from area to area within the site.

Learn, understand and acton specifc site requirements of personal protecton note this may vary from area to area within
the site.

Learn, understand and acton specifc site requirements for working practces, including use of power tools note this may
vary from area to area within the site.

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Chase Fire, Chandos Pole St, Derby DE22 3BJ tel: 01785 252568 www.chase-fre.co.uk
Work only in accordance with safe practce, and company and client safe procedure.

Tools
Power tools will be batery operated or 110 volt only.

All Chase Fire tools are properly and correctly maintained and tested.

Storage
Materials and tools will not be stored on site.

Debris and Rubbish
Chase Fire engineers will clear away all removed and discarded materials, including redundant parts and packaging etc.

Chase Fire will keep all areas of work free from debris and rubbish partcularly walkways.

Clearing up will be completed as debris and rubbish appears.

Water
Some water spillage is inevitable. Spilled water will be mopped up as it appears.

Appropriate signs to warn of slip hazard will be used as and when necessary.


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Chase Fire, Chandos Pole St, Derby DE22 3BJ tel: 01785 252568 www.chase-fre.co.uk