Dry Riser Thefts
Lives endangered by increasing dry riser valve thefts
We unfortunately regularly see Dry Riser thefts. As you can understand, this can have huge consequences not realised by the thieves. A critical fire fighting piece of equipment that has been left in a vandalised state WILL put lives at risk.
If a valve or pipe is stolen or vandalised the entire dry riser system is likely to fail. As a result in the event of a fire, firefighters will not be able to access the water supply from the dry riser hampering their ability to extinguish the fire.
Councils are asking residents take this issue seriously and report any suspicious activity in their block (read more). To help prevent dry riser valve and pipe theft:
- Be aware of where the dry risers is in your building and make sure doors leading to the area are closed.
- Be vigilant for strangers entering your building, particularly when they try to access areas where you know the dry risers are. If in doubt, ask for their identification.
- If you encounter someone selling dry riser valves, check the item for a markings and note down the person’s vehicle registration number.
- Landlords and building management should consider marking and registering the valves, making resale harder for the thief.
- If you suspect theft or damage to your dry riser report it promptly to your landlord or building manager. If a theft is in progress call the police on 999 or 101 if you find dry riser valves and connected pipes have been stolen.
Ultimately, if someone is determined enough to steal dry riser components, they will. But, we can make life more difficult which hopefully means the would be thieves will focus their ill gotten gains elsewhere.
If you are the unfortunate victim of Dry riser theft, Dry Risers Direct Ltd can offer both visual and physical deterrents.
Once informed of a theft, we prioritise the call and RED FLAG as ‘A1’ on our service management system . We inform the local Fire service as soon as possible of a non-working piece of fire fighting equipment and inform them when the system is brought back on line. We hold extensive local stocks with regional service and installation vans capable of rerouting to ensure the fire safety of your building is brought back in line as soon as possible.
The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) are aware of these thefts and have informed all members to be aware and record vehicle number plates and carry out ID checks on all dry riser valves arriving at their sites.
Dry Riser valve anti vandal cover
Once our Engineers are on site they will assess what is required, replace from van stock or our depot, fit, retest to 12 Bar and recertify. Once signed off, we contact the local fire service to inform them of the rectification of the system. All this often happens within one working day.
A few of our options available and definitely worth considering are;
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- Titanium shear bolts on Flanged Outlets.
- Positioning threaded outlets so they can not be fully rotated and removed (except by professionals from the trade) but still comply to BS9990:2015 and offer full accessibility.
- Fit a Dry Riser valve anti vandal cover.
Contact us
Dry Risers Direct Ltd offer inspection, servicing and maintenance as well as full installation on all types of risers, both dry and wet. Get in touch today and our team will be happy to help. Phone: 0800 689 4034 or Email: enquiries@dryrisersdirect.co.uk.
