Shell & Core

Dry riser systems

Our dry riser installations ensure that fire services can access a reliable water supply quickly and effectively in multi-storey buildings.

A dry riser system is a network of empty pipework installed in tall buildings, allowing the fire service to deliver water rapidly to upper floors during an emergency. The system includes vertical and horizontal pipes with outlet valves on each floor and an inlet connection at ground level.

In the event of a fire, firefighters connect their hoses to the inlet and pump water into the system, providing fast, direct access to water where it’s needed most.

Dry risers are mandatory in buildings over 18 metres high (typically five storeys or more) under UK fire safety regulations. Regular testing and maintenance are essential to keep these systems ready for immediate use and full compliance.

Gas suppression systems

We design and install gas suppression systems for sensitive environments such as server rooms, data centres, archives, and museums, providing rapid, water-free fire protection for critical assets.

A gas suppression system is a specialist fire protection solution for areas where using water, foam or other fire suppression agents could cause serious damage. These systems rapidly suppress fires by flooding a room with a clean agent, such as an inert gas that reduces the oxygen levels to a point where combustion cannot continue or a chemical agent that interrupts the firesâ€™ chemical reaction. This effectively extinguishes flames without harming people, equipment, or property.

Key benefits include:

Effective for electrical fires since the gas is non-conductive
No water damage to sensitive equipment
Rapid fire suppression – can detect and extinguish fires automatically and quickly, sometimes within seconds.
Safe for occupied spaces when designed to the relevant standards
Fully compliant with industry and insurer requirements

These systems are the ideal choice for protecting high-value assets and maintaining business continuity, where downtime or damage must be kept to an absolute minimum.

Pre action systems

For environments where accidental water discharge could be critical, we install pre-action sprinkler systems that combine the reliability of traditional sprinklers with an added layer of control and safety.

A pre-action system is a specialist fire protection solution designed for sensitive areas such as data centres, comms rooms, archives, museums, and precision manufacturing spaces, where even a small leak could cause serious damage.
Unlike standard sprinkler systems, the pipework in a pre-action system remains dry until two conditions are met:

1. A fire detection system (such as smoke or heat detectors) activates.
2. A sprinkler head opens in response to heat from a fire.

Only when both conditions occur does water enter the system and discharge through the sprinklers. This double-verification design greatly reduces the risk of accidental water release while still ensuring fast, reliable fire suppression when it’s truly needed.

Schools

We design and install fire sprinkler systems for schools and educational facilities, protecting staff, pupils, and property in line with the latest British Standards.

Our work includes new installations supplied from the landlordâ€™s system as well as refurbishments and upgrades of existing school buildings, ensuring every environment is safe, compliant, and built to last.

Retail Fit-Out

From flagship stores to high-street units, we deliver sprinkler installations for retail spaces that balance full compliance with minimal disruption during fit-out.

Our work ranges from new installations supplied from the landlordâ€™s system to refurbishments and upgrades of existing stores, all designed to meet fire safety standards while keeping your project on schedule.

Cat B Fit-Out (Bespoke Fit-Out)

We deliver tailored sprinkler systems for Cat B fit outs, designed around each tenantâ€™s specific layout, use, and fire safety requirements.

A Category B sprinkler installation involves adapting the existing system to suit how the tenant will occupy and use the space. This can include relocating or adding sprinkler heads to suit offices, meeting rooms, or specialist ceiling designs.

This approach ensures the sprinkler system remains fully compliant while providing effective fire protection that aligns with the final design and function of the space.

Cat A Fit-Out (Landlord Fit-Out)

Our Cat A fit-out solutions deliver compliant, fully operational fire protection systems that are ready for incoming tenants and future adaptations.

A Category A system is the base sprinkler installation provided by the landlord as part of the main building works. It typically includes sprinkler protection across the entire floor, including core areas such as lobbies, toilets, stairwells, and plant rooms, ensuring the building is handed over with a fully functional fire protection system in place.

This system forms the foundation for future tenant fitouts (Category B works), allowing sprinklers to be easily modified or extended to suit each tenant’s final layout.

Shell and Core

We design and install sprinkler systems for shell and core developments, ensuring fire protection is built into the foundations of your building from day one.

A shell and core system involves installing the essential fire protection infrastructure during the base-build stage of a project. This means the main sprinkler network is in place and ready for future tenant fit out works.

Typical works include:

Installation of water supplies
Installation of main sprinkler pipework, valves, and control equipment
Installation of on-floor isolation valves and flow switches, with capped connections ready for future tenant fit-out
Sprinkler protection to core areas such as lobbies, stairwells, toilets, and plant rooms

This approach ensures the building is handed over with a fully operational, compliant, and future-ready fire protection system, ready for tenants to adapt as part of their fit-out works.

Design & Installation - Shell & Core

Backed by leading accreditations

Contact our Design & Installation Team

Explore TPT Fire

Offices

Contact