Hydrant & Charged Riser Systems

Hydrant systems, or risers, play a crucial role in supplying water to fire services for combating fires across all levels of a building. Properly installed and maintained riser systems enable rapid access to a reliable water source, making it possible for firefighting crews to control and extinguish fires more effectively. Aotea Fire offers extensive expertise in all types of riser systems, ensuring that your building is equipped with a solution that is fit for purpose, fully operational, and compliant with New Zealand's current safety standards.

Types of Riser Systems

There are three main types of riser systems used in buildings: dry, wet, and charged. Each type serves a specific purpose and is suited to different building environments and regulatory requirements.

Dry Riser Systems

Dry risers are an older system type that were once standard in New Zealand, particularly before 1978. These systems consist of pipes that remain dry until they are manually charged by the fire service during an emergency. Dry risers are typically found in older buildings and require an external water source, such as a fire truck, to deliver water to the upper floors through the riser pipes.

However, because they are not pre-filled with water, dry risers can delay fire suppression efforts while the system is being charged. Given the evolution of fire safety standards and the need for more immediate response capabilities, current recommendations encourage converting dry risers to a charged (wet) system. This upgrade ensures a quicker response time, providing immediate access to water when needed. At Aotea Fire, we have extensive experience in assessing and converting dry risers, bringing older systems in line with modern fire safety expectations.

Wet Riser Systems

Wet risers, also known as wet standpipes, are constantly filled with water and pressurized, ensuring that water is readily available throughout the entire building at all times. These systems eliminate the delay associated with charging a dry riser and allow fire services to immediately access water upon arrival. Wet risers are typically required in high-rise buildings or structures with significant vertical height, where rapid response is critical to prevent fire spread across multiple floors.

While wet risers provide immediate access to water, they are generally not installed in new buildings under current New Zealand standards unless specifically required. This is because charged riser systems have largely taken their place due to improved design and greater operational efficiency. For buildings with existing wet risers, our team at Aotea Fire ensures that the system remains fully functional, well-maintained, and compliant with the latest standards, providing optimal fire safety support.

Charged Riser Systems

Charged risers are the preferred riser system for modern buildings in New Zealand, combining the advantages of both dry and wet risers. These systems maintain water pressure within the riser network but incorporate advanced pressure regulation technology to ensure optimal flow rates, reducing both risk and maintenance needs. Charged risers can be activated automatically, delivering immediate access to water on all floors while maintaining better control over water pressure and flow.

By providing continuous, regulated water availability, charged risers ensure rapid and reliable support during firefighting efforts. This type of riser system is ideal for high-rise buildings, large commercial complexes, and other multi-story structures, as it enables firefighters to quickly connect hoses and access water without delay. Our team at Aotea Fire specializes in the design, installation, and maintenance of charged risers, ensuring that your system meets current standards and provides dependable support in an emergency.

Why Choose Aotea Fire for Your Hydrant and Riser System Needs?

At Aotea Fire, we understand the critical role that hydrant and riser systems play in building fire safety, especially for multi-story and complex structures. Our team is experienced in working with all types of riser systems and is well-versed in the latest New Zealand building codes and fire safety regulations. We assess each building’s unique requirements to recommend the most suitable riser solution—whether it involves upgrading a dry riser to a charged system, maintaining an existing wet riser, or installing a modern charged riser network.

We also provide comprehensive maintenance and testing services to ensure that your riser system remains fully operational, compliant, and ready to perform under pressure. Regular maintenance checks are essential to verifying water pressure, flow rates, and system integrity, helping to prevent failures or delays during an emergency. With our attention to detail and commitment to quality, you can trust Aotea Fire to keep your riser system in peak condition, providing critical support when it matters most.

Whether you’re retrofitting an older building or installing a riser system in a new development, Aotea Fire is your trusted partner for reliable, compliant, and high-performing hydrant and riser systems.