Let’s be honest: most facilities managers don’t give dry riser systems a second thought until a fire drill or inspection comes up. That little red door in the lobby or staircase isn’t exactly rocket science, it leads to the fire service connection for their hose, right? Well, believe it or not, things aren’t that simple.
The access points to dry riser systems serve varied purposes depending on the specified use, and when it comes time to choose between a two-way breach inlet door or a one-way access option, it’s not just a matter of preference. Choosing incorrectly can lead to failed inspections, costly retrofits, or worse, an inaccessible system when most needed.
Ultimately, the difference lies in how the fire professional uses the inlet when they arrive on scene. And that seemingly mundane distinction makes all the difference when it comes to emergency access.
What Exactly Does a Single-Access Inlet Do?
A single-access dry riser door opens from one side only. The firefighter connects their pumping apparatus to the inlet and sends water up the risers to outlet valves on the upper floors. Simple enough.
This is perfectly good for many buildings, especially where an inlet lies in a fully external and accessible position. The fire crew rolls up outside, opens the door, connects their hose and starts pumping. It assumes they’re able to park immediately next to the building without obstruction as well as assumes the inlet location doesn’t present any access concerns.
Yet all too often, reality does not match that picture. Buildings have landscaping, street furniture, parked cars, narrow access routes, architectural features that get in the way. If a single-access inlet has one side that opens, and that side happens to be blocked, firefighters have no other alternative; even if it’s a door that they cannot access due to damage or jamming, they’re left fighting the door for entry instead of securing water for firefighting efforts. They may need to hunt for alternative options that waste valuable time.
What Access Does a Two-Way System Provide?
By contrast, a two-way breach inlet door provides access from both sides. For buildings where the dry riser cupboard is in an internal space or where external access will be compromised over time, this is not an option; it’s a necessity.
For example, consider a building where the dry riser inlet is located inside a ground-floor lobby or internal corridor. The firefighters may be required to access it from within due to external flames or structural integrity concerns blocking their ability to gain entry from outside.
The two-way door allows them the flexibility of accessing from either side due to conditions getting in their way. This redundancy is more important than you’d think; during firefighting operations, people drop equipment, doors sustain damage, smoke pops up and obscures viewing; with one now invalid approach and two means of access to one area, no one has to stand around and waste time trying to get another open.
Even basic testing opportunities can be conducted with these as well; building managers and third-party contractors can assess the system from inside instead of needing simultaneous access from outside, helpful in busy urban areas where exterior accommodation means traffic control with road closures.
What Do Building Regulations Require?
Herein lies the kicker, and why so many buildings are non-compliant without knowing it! British Standard BS 9990 and approved document B outline preferences for dry risers, but buildings vary in risk and management needs that render access different for each construction zone.
For example, buildings typically over 18 meters (or approximately six floors) require dry risers. The inlet must be located within 18 meters of the place where a fire engine is situated and must be readily available at all times. However, unless it’s an entirely external placement and highly recognizable street accessible from the road, it’s always better to have two-way accessibility instead of just single-access doors because it’s a much more reliable way to ensure “readily available at all times.”
The problem comes with phrases like “suitable access” and “reasonable approach.” These are vague. What seems reasonable during an inspection may not be during a firefighting operation when vehicles block pathways or smoke obscures approaches.
What Happens When One Access Point Fails An Inspection?
Fire safety inspections occur based on what will function best – not just because you checked off all the boxes. Essentially, if a fire officer determines your dry riser system looks good on paper but fails to actually gain access during a fire operation, you’re going to be flagged.
Furthermore, buildings that were constructed with single-access doors for years will fail due to newer standards yet meet the older ones. The inlet may “make sense” according to construction ten years ago but now doesn’t stand up against risk assessment showing that it’s not suitably accessible amid various emergencies.
Retrofitting it with two-way access after the fact will cost much greater than simply specifying it correctly beforehand.
Fire Safety Inspections also review the door itself, all doors must have proper fire ratings and wall fittings with durable construction material resistant to weather and vandalism. Machinery that gets stuck because it isn’t used is also questioned; cheap doors fail not because of access configuration but because they’re poorly made. Hinges rust, locks jam and doors bend out of shape and create openings.
Where Is Access Non-Negotiable?
Some buildings should never mess around with single access and always go with two-way access from the start. These include:
- High-rise residential buildings – too many options exist during an emergency scenario.
- Buildings with complex floor plans or multiple wings – this configuration can occur inside or outside depending upon how firefighters approach.
- Buildings where dry risers are not obviously external, if someone has to explain where it is, it probably isn’t accessible enough as an opening during an emergency scenario.
- Mixed-use buildings – retail on ground floors means inlets may be covered by signage/outdoor furniture/vehicles; two-way access from interior hallways bypasses these issues.
- Historical buildings – historically-designated buildings converted for more modern use may require dry risers wherein historically designated properties mean restricted placement; this requires two-way access more than frequently because it’s compromised between historical decor and fire safety demands.
What About Cost Difference?
Yes, two-way breaching inlet doors cost more than single-access options. The additional fittings mean more expensive properties with complicated installment and greater specification materials. But we’re talking about a couple hundred pounds worth of difference over what’s likely going to remain static for multiple decades.
Compare that cost with retrofitting if wrong, de-mounting old doors (possibly changing opening size), installing new doors with paint touch-ups and openings, as well as failed occupancy approvals which could impact certification retention.
Over time, it’s abundantly clear that two-way access offers greater value from start-up installation; fire safety ratings tend to become stricter, not less, over time so what passes now will not pass in ten years. With better systems in place now, future-proofing ensures better placement.
How To Determine If You Need Two-Way Access?
Start with assessing your situation honestly. Explore access points both externally and internally; hypothetically see if you were an engine trying to reach the inlet location. Now hypothetically see if you’re blocked by a vehicle/smoke/under construction/scaffolding.
If any of these circumstances complicate single-sided access, two-way accessibility isn’t an option, it becomes necessary for any successful completion of works long-term.
Consult your fire safety consultant before finalizing specifications; if an associated fire engineer is already onboard with planning efforts, consulting them about your findings for access specifications as part of overall system design helps.
Dry riser inlet doors might seem like small potatoes compared to larger scale placements within your building system; yet they’re another one of those details whose right call at the beginning saves substantial effort later down the line. Whether you need two-way access comes down specifically to your building layout and realistic emergency accessibility, not what’s convenient on paper.
