Phase 1 Dry Riser Installation in Barbican, London – The CORE, EC1

Dry Riser One has completed Phase 1 of a new dry riser installation in Barbican, London, at The CORE, Newbury Street, EC1A 7HU.

The CORE is a residential development in the heart of central London comprising nine exclusive apartments. Working alongside the project team, Dry Riser One was appointed to provide the new dry rising main installation serving the building's stair core.

The overall system comprises:

1 dry riser system | 7 landing valves | 1 breeching inlet | Approx. 12m horizontal feed

Phase 1 concentrated on installing the main dry riser pipework and associated valves/fitting through the building while coordinating the route with the existing construction programme. The final breeching inlet installation and completion-stage testing and commissioning form the next stage of the works.

This phased approach allowed the main dry riser installation to progress while other construction activities continued around the building.

Located on Newbury Street in Barbican, central London, The CORE combines existing architectural character with a contemporary residential redevelopment.

For a project of this type, the dry riser cannot simply be treated as a vertical section of pipework. The complete route must take account of firefighter access, the inlet location, ceiling voids, the stair core, structural openings, outlet valve positions and the practical requirements for future testing and maintenance.

The specified system consists of one dry riser system with seven landing valves. A single breeching inlet serves the system, with approximately 12 metres of feed pipework running from the inlet position towards the vertical riser within the ground-floor ceiling void.

Early Site Survey and Dry Riser Route Coordination

Before progressing with the dry riser installation, the dry riser route was reviewed on site to make sure the proposed arrangement could be installed practically within the developing building.

The site survey identified the route from the proposed dry riser inlet, with the pipework rising to ceiling level before travelling towards the staircase.

This was particularly important on a central London project where space within service routes and stair areas is limited and the dry riser installation has to be coordinated closely with the structure and other trades. The survey also identified the required openings through the stair core.

Fire Brigade Access and Breeching Inlet Position

Firefighter access was another key part of the dry riser arrangement. The project fire strategy identifies the external dry riser inlet position together with fire appliance access from Cloth Street within 18 metres of the dry riser inlet.

This provides the connection point from which the Fire and Rescue Service can charge the dry riser system during a fire emergency.

From this location, the dry riser feed travels into the building and towards the stair core before distributing water to the landing valves positioned through the building.

Although the breeching inlet forms part of the complete system, this particular project has been programmed in stages. The principal dry riser installation was completed during Phase 1, with the inlet installation scheduled for a return visit.

Phase 1 Dry Riser Installation

Once the route and installation requirements had been coordinated, our engineers progressed with the dry riser installation. Galvanised steel pipe sections were measured and prepared on site before being cut to the required lengths. The pipework was then grooved so the required elbows, sockets, tees and other fittings could be securely connected.

The installation was supported from the building structure using appropriate wall, floor and pipe brackets selected to suit the individual fixing locations.

Particular attention was given to changes of direction and the route through the stair core. Landing valves were incorporated in accordance with the project drawings and specification, creating accessible firefighting connection points throughout the building.

The result of Phase 1 is the principal dry riser infrastructure installed through the building and positioned ready for the remaining completion works.

Working Safely Around an Active Construction Project

For this project, the installation was carried out under a project-specific Risk Assessment and Method Statement, with the work coordinated with site management before commencement.

Access routes, material storage, working areas and interaction with other trades were considered as part of the installation sequence.

The stair core required particular attention because it formed both the dry riser route and an important access area within the project.

The installation methodology therefore included controlled working areas, safe access and egress, appropriate PPE and coordination with site management so that the dry riser works could progress without creating unnecessary disruption elsewhere on the project.

What Happens During Phase 2?

The Newbury Street dry riser installation has been intentionally documented as a Phase 1 project update, rather than presenting an unfinished system as a commissioned installation.

The next stage will include completion of the breeching inlet arrangement followed by the required completion checks, pressure testing and commissioning. As part of the project commissioning procedure, the completed dry riser system is to be filled with water and tested to 12 bar pressure for a minimum of 15 minutes to BS 9990:2015.

During testing, the pipework, fittings, connections and valves can be checked for system integrity before the installation progresses to final handover and certification. We will update the project once the final phase has been completed.

Dry Riser Installation in Barbican, EC1 and Central London

Our work covers the complete dry riser process, including project review, site surveys, installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance and remedial works.

Projects such as The CORE demonstrate why an experienced dry riser contractor needs to understand both the British Standards and the practical realities of working on an active construction site.

We are proud to be a five-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Google-rated↗︎ company, and we believe that reputation comes from getting the practical details right on site. All advice is delivered in full accordance with BS 9990:2015. For further assistance with dry riser installation, testing, commissioning or maintenance, please contact Dry Riser One on +44 (0) 800 061 4111.

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