Government extends the Waking Watch Fund.

The Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 has been extended to March 2026, with an additional £21.11 million available.

The fund helps replace costly waking watch arrangements with common fire alarm systems in residential buildings across England.
New applications reopened on 2 September 2024.
Total funding for the scheme now stands at £41.71 million, combining previous funds:
- £35 million Waking Watch Relief Fund (high-rise buildings, unsafe cladding)
- £27 million Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2022 (all residential buildings with fire safety defects)
The fund supports buildings transitioning from ‘Stay Put’ to ‘Simultaneous Evacuation’, following NFCC guidance.
Beneficiaries: Leaseholders and residents facing high costs for interim safety measures.
Eligible buildings must:
- Be located in England
- Be for residential use
- Currently have a waking watch in place

Funding covers: Upfront capital costs for installing a BS 5839-1 Category L5 fire alarm system.
Retrospective support: Costs of alarm systems are eligible if work started on or after 25 May 2023.
Application process: Must follow the official Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 guidance and application form on the government website.

What is Waking Watch

A waking watch is a temporary fire safety measure used in residential buildings—usually blocks of flats—where there are concerns about fire safety systems or external wall materials.

It involves trained fire marshals (often in high-visibility clothing) patrolling the building 24/7 to:

Detect signs of fire early (smoke, heat, alarms)
Raise the alarm manually if needed
Assist residents with evacuation
Contact the fire service immediately

It is most commonly introduced when:

- There are issues with cladding or external wall systems
- A fire alarm system is faulty or insufficient
- Compartmentation problems have been identified
- The fire risk assessment has highlighted significant risk

Why Is It Used?

After the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017, many UK residential buildings were found to have unsafe cladding or fire protection defects.

While permanent remedial works are arranged (such as installing a full fire alarm system or removing unsafe cladding), a waking watch provides an interim life-safety measure.

How Does It Work?

There are two common types:

1. Simultaneous Evacuation Waking Watch

If any fire is detected, the whole building evacuates.
Often used where “stay put” is no longer safe.

2. Stay-Put Monitoring Waking Watch

Patrols monitor risk but only affected flats evacuate.
Used where compartmentation is mostly intact.

Who Pays for It?

In many cases, waking watch costs have fallen on:

Leaseholders (via service charges)
Freeholders
Managing agents

Costs can be significant — sometimes tens of thousands of pounds per month for larger buildings.

The government introduced funding schemes (like the Waking Watch Relief Fund) to help replace waking watch with fire alarm systems where possible.

Government extends the Waking Watch Fund.

What is Waking Watch

Why Is It Used?

How Does It Work?

Who Pays for It?

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