External piping is generally provided as a ring main surrounding the property from all sides. The ring main is usually pressurized with water so that in the event of fire, the opening of a single landing valve will make water under pressure available to fight the fire. Cut-off valves are provided in the ring main to enable the available water pressure to be concentrated at a desired location. 

At strategic points on the ring mains are provided hydrant stand posts. The hydrant stand post consists of a standpipe which is operated through a valve. Near the stand post, is placed a hose box containing one or two hose pipes for instantaneous coupling to it. The nozzle attached at the end of the hose delivers water at high pressure in the form of a jet that can be directed at the seat of the fire or at the roof of the building.

The internal piping comprises of a riser pipe called the Wet Riser which goes right up to the terrace of the building where it is connected to the overhead water storage. The riser which may be pressurized, also acts as a down-take / down comer to serve the fire fighting operation as the need arises. At every floor, First Aid Hose Reels are provided which ensure that water will be available under pressure at all the corners of every room to fight the fire.

The riser is also connected to the static fire storage tank at the terrace level through a Booster pump. The function of the Booster pump is to pump water from the overhead storage tank and supply the same through the down take at recommended pressure. The Booster pump is thus also available not only to boost the pressure but also to act as a hydrant pump should the main pump fail to operate and specially to fight the fire from within the building.