Inlet Breeching Explained: Two-Way, Three-Way & Four-Way
An inlet breeching is the ground-level connection point where a fire brigade charges a dry riser system with water in an emergency — without it, fire engines would have no standardized way to pump water into a building’s internal firefighting piping. Jaideo Automation supplies NewAge Two-Way, Three-Way, and Four-Way Inlet Breeching.
How a Breeching Works
Each inlet is fitted with a non-return valve (NRV), so water can be pumped in from a fire engine but can’t flow back out — multiple engines can connect to the same breeching simultaneously without one connection undermining another. The breeching’s outlet connects to the building’s dry riser piping, which is typically vented at high points with a dry riser air release valve.
Two-Way Inlet Breeching
The smallest in the range — two male instantaneous inlets with NRVs and a 4″ NB flanged outlet, rated 150 PSI working pressure (tested to 325 PSI). Suited to smaller dry riser systems with lower simultaneous demand.
Three-Way Inlet Breeching
A mid-range option adding a third inlet for higher simultaneous intake capacity than the two-way variant, for systems between the two-way and four-way’s demand range.
Four-Way Inlet Breeching
The largest option — four NRV-fitted inlets and a larger 6″ NB flanged outlet, giving the highest simultaneous water intake capacity. Specified for high-rise or high-demand dry riser systems where multiple fire engines may need to charge the system at once.
Choosing the Right Size
Breeching size is typically determined by the dry riser system’s design flow requirement, which scales with building height and riser demand — a taller building or one with a higher required flow rate needs more simultaneous inlet capacity than a smaller, lower-rise installation.
Construction Materials
Available in gunmetal, aluminium alloy, or cast iron across all three sizes, letting the material be matched to the project’s corrosion resistance and budget requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an inlet breeching used for?
An inlet breeching is the ground-level connection point where a fire brigade pumps water into a building’s dry riser system during an emergency.
Why does an inlet breeching have non-return valves on each inlet?
Non-return valves let multiple fire engines pump water in simultaneously through separate inlets without one connection’s water flowing back out through another.
How is the right breeching size determined?
Breeching size is determined by the dry riser system’s design flow requirement, which scales with building height and demand, with taller or higher-demand buildings needing more simultaneous inlet capacity.
Related NewAge Fire Fighting Equipment
An inlet breeching charges the riser; what happens further along the system is covered in our guides to fire protection gate valves, fire hose reels and branch pipes. For the outlets on each floor, see the Bib Nose Type Landing Valve and Double Outlet Landing Valve, and for outdoor hydrant networks the Two-Way Hydrant Standpost.