A dry riser is a normally empty pipe that can be externally connected by firefighters to a pressurized water source. It is a vertical pipe intended to distribute water to multiple levels of a building or structure as a component of the fire suppression systems.

Most buildings have a “wet riser” or “wet standpipe” system where the pipes are kept full of water for manual or automatic fire fighting operations. Dry risers are used when the water pressure of a building wouldn’t be enough for fire suppression and in unheated buildings where the pipes could freeze. The riser is also where the gauges, valves, and alarm devices are located.