Fire Hydrant & Hose Reel Systems

Fire hydrants and hose reel systems provide the fire brigade and trained building occupants with a reliable, immediately available water supply to fight fires directly — an essential capability for any building where sprinkler systems alone are not adequate, or as a first-response resource while the fire brigade is on its way. Kenya's Building Code and BS 9999 require wet riser systems in buildings above a certain height and hose reels in commercial and industrial premises. Lance Security designs, supplies, installs, and maintains fire hydrant and hose reel systems for commercial buildings, industrial facilities, warehouses, residential towers, and institutional properties across Kenya.

Internal Hose Reel Systems

Hose reels are mounted within the building, typically in recessed wall cabinets at fire hose points along corridors and near stairwells. A trained building occupant can use a hose reel to attack a small or developing fire before it grows beyond first-aid fighting capacity. Each reel carries 19 mm diameter hose, typically 30 metres in length, connected to a permanently pressurised water supply. The reel pivots and extends to allow the hose to reach all parts of the floor.

Hose Reel Positioning

BS EN 671-1 and the Kenya Building Code require hose reels to be positioned so that at least one hose reaches every part of the floor area. In most commercial buildings, one hose reel per floor at each stairwell landing achieves this. In large floor plates (warehouses, factory floors), additional reels are positioned along the main aisles. Reels are always located on escape routes, so that occupants can fight the fire and then retreat to a place of safety without passing through the fire.

Wet Riser Systems

Wet risers are permanently water-filled vertical mains running through a building from the lowest floor to the highest, with landing valves (fire brigade connections) at each floor level. The fire brigade connects their hoses directly to the landing valve on the fire floor, giving them an immediate pressurised water supply without having to run hoses up stairwells. The Kenya Building Code requires wet riser systems in buildings above 25 metres in height (approximately 8 storeys).

Wet riser systems in Kenya face a significant challenge: municipal water supply pressure is often insufficient to provide adequate pressure at the highest floors without a booster pump. We design and install wet riser systems complete with dedicated pump sets, pressure-maintaining jockey pumps, water storage tanks sized for fire brigade use, and automatic pump controllers.

Dry Riser Systems

Dry risers are empty vertical pipes with inlet connections at ground level (or basement) and landing valves at each floor. The fire brigade connects a pumping appliance to the inlet at street level and pumps water up the riser to the landing valve on the affected floor. Dry risers are used in buildings between 18 and 25 metres in height where a permanent water supply to the riser is impractical. They require no pump or water tank but must be pressure-tested annually to ensure the pipework is leak-free and the valves operate correctly.

External Fire Hydrants

External fire hydrants provide the fire brigade with a water supply from the street or site access road, enabling them to fill their appliances or connect supply hoses without relying on the building's internal supply. In Kenya, where municipal water hydrants are inconsistently maintained, building owners on industrial parks and large commercial developments often install private underground or pillar hydrants connected to a dedicated water main and storage tank. We design and install private hydrant systems to BS 750 standards.

Design & Compliance

Every system we install is designed to comply with the Kenya Building Code, BS EN 671 (hose reels and hose cabinets), and BS 9999 (fire safety in buildings). Our design deliverables include hydraulic calculations, system layout drawings, pump specification sheets, and commissioning test protocols. All systems are handed over with a commissioning certificate, as-built drawings, and training for your fire wardens on correct hose reel use and brigade connection procedures.

Maintenance is a legal requirement — wet risers and hose reels must be inspected, tested, and serviced annually, with flow tests and pressure tests documented in your fire safety file. Our fire safety maintenance contracts cover all of these requirements. Request a hydrant and hose reel assessment for your building today.