What is the primary function of risers in sprinkler and standpipe fire protection systems?

The primary function of risers in sprinkler and standpipe fire protection systems is to carry water to the upper floors. Risers are vertical pipes that transport water from the source, typically a water supply or reservoir, to the various levels of a building where sprinkler heads or standpipe systems are located. This ensures that adequate water supply and pressure are available for firefighting operations and for activating the sprinkler systems if a fire occurs.

While structural support is paramount for any building, the risers themselves do not fulfill this role; their design and installation primarily focus on water transport. Similarly, regulating water pressure is typically managed through pumps and pressure reducing valves in the system, rather than by the risers themselves. Lastly, risers do not have a role in fire detection or alarm activation, as these functions are handled by separate systems such as smoke detectors and alarms. Thus, the primary goal of risers is clearly focused on ensuring water delivery to combat fire effectively on various floors of a structure.