What was the direct impact of the dry rising main fault on water pressure?

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A Faulty Dry Rising Main Led to a Critical Drop in Water Pressure During a Clementi Avenue 4 Blaze

A malfunction in the dry rising main at Block 309 Clementi Avenue 4 on July 31 resulted in a significant reduction in water pressure. This pressure loss directly impeded the ability of firefighters to effectively channel water to the eighth floor, where they were engaged in battling a fire. The incident, which led to the death of a resident and injuries to two firefighters, highlighted the critical role of functioning water pressure systems in emergency response.
Dislodged Coupling Caused Pressure Loss

A preliminary assessment by Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council identified a dislodged coupling securing a section of the dry rising main as the cause of the pressure drop. This specific component failure meant that the system could not maintain adequate water flow and pressure to the higher floors of the building. The town council has since rectified the issue by repairing the coupling.
Firefighting Operations Severely Hampered

The reduction in water pressure directly prevented water from being properly supplied to the eighth floor. Firefighters were thus unable to utilize the dry rising main as intended to reach the fire effectively. This situation necessitated the implementation of a contingency plan, involving running hoses directly up the staircase from fire engines, a procedure that is part of regular SCDF training.
System Underwent Recent Maintenance

Despite the critical failure, the dry rising main at the affected block had recently undergone servicing and pressure testing on March 14, at which point it was found to be in satisfactory condition. This prior maintenance suggests the fault developed after the last inspection, prompting further review by the town council of its maintenance and testing protocols for all firefighting water systems.

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What was the direct impact of the dry rising main fault on water pressure?

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