A Complete Guide to Waking Watch... and Beyond

What is Waking Watch?

A Waking Watch is implemented in high-risk buildings, typically high-rise residential blocks, where serious fire safety issues have been identified. It is most commonly introduced where risks have been identified, such as:

• Unsafe external walls (cladding)
• Inadequate compartmentation between flats
• Insufficient cavity barriers
• Fire door failures

Or, any other reason for a building’s fire strategy to transition from a “stay put” evacuation strategy to a “simultaneous evacuation” strategy.

A Waking Watch usually involves 24/7 continuous patrols by trained fire wardens across internal common areas, and sometimes the external perimeter of the building. Patrols are carried out to a strict timetable to ensure no area goes unobserved for too long. Fire wardens look for signs of fire, such as smoke or burning smells, acting as a manual alternative to a communal fire alarm system.

Because remediation works often cannot begin immediately, a Waking Watch is introduced as an interim measure. However, many responsible persons are unaware that alternative solutions exist.

Why was Waking Watch introduced after Grenfell?

In 2017, the Grenfell Tower fire exposed serious fire-safety failures that contributed to the tragic loss of life.

Grenfell was designed for a “stay put” evacuation strategy, based on each flat acting as a fire-resistant compartment. In reality, the fire spread rapidly due to avoidable factors, such as combustible Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding with a polyethylene core, flammable insulation and inadequate cavity barriers.

Following nationwide testing, thousands of buildings were also found to be unsafe, meaning the stay-put strategy was no longer viable.

Waking Watch was adopted because it could be implemented quickly, required no structural work and appeared suitable as a short-term measure. However, due to complex remediation processes, disputes over liability and funding delays, Waking Watch has become a long-term and costly solution.

Who is liable for Waking Watch costs?

Waking Watch is usually mandated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 or the Building Safety Act 2022, which require Responsible Persons to demonstrate how they are managing fire-safety risks.

In most residential buildings, the Responsible Person is:

• in relation to a workplace, the employer, if the workplace is to any extent under his control;
• the person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (for profit or not); or
• the owner, where the person in control of the premises does not have control in connection with the carrying on by that person of a trade, business or other undertaking.

Controversially, in many leasehold buildings the costs of Waking Watch have been passed to residents via service charges.

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced protections for leaseholders from costs linked to historical safety defects, meaning:

• Leaseholders in buildings over 11m may not have to pay for cladding remediation
• Developers may be pursued via remediation orders

However, Waking Watch can be considered an interim safety measure, and whether costs are recoverable depends on lease wording and tribunal decisions. Recovering costs from developers can also take years.

What is the Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF)?

The IMAF fund has been set up by the UK government to avoid the current reliance on Waking Watch arrangements. It supports the transition from manual patrols to fire alarm systems and encourages the installation of common fire alarm systems in buildings awaiting remediation.

The scheme improves resident safety during remediation work and replaces Waking Watch with fire alarm systems. It covers:

• Fire alarm system equipment and installation under BS 5839-1 Category L5 standards
• Labour, commissioning and testing
• Reasonable capital costs such as VAT

While the fund carries on from the Waking Watch fund, buildings that have received funding for previous interim measures are ineligible for the new scheme.

Find out more about IMAF

Why Waking Watch is not a long-term solution

Waking Watch was never intended to be a long-term safety solution.

In 2023, the Building Safety Regulator was established under the Building Safety Act 2022 to oversee fire and structural safety in high-risk buildings. Its responsibilities include monitoring compliance, approving remediation plans and enforcing standards.

As part of the regulatory system, the gateway process is introduced in three stages.

Gateway 2 approvals were expected to take around 12 weeks. However, official data shows that average waiting times are closer to 36 weeks, with low approval rates. As a result, many remediation applications remain unresolved, extending the period in which interim measures like Waking Watch stay in place.

The Waking Watch measure itself poses further issues:

• High staffing costs
• Extensive record keeping requirements
• Risk of human error
• No actual remediation, does not improve the building’s fire safety

The true cost of Waking Watch

According to the National Audit Office report on Dangerous Cladding, the median Waking Watch cost was £11,361 per building per month in 2020. And here at Cygnus, we’ve worked with building managers spending as much as £60,000 per month on Waking Watch patrols.

As of October 2025, fewer than half the buildings with unsafe cladding had completed remediation, with many yet to start. This lack of progress is the main reason Waking Watch continues for years, and for many this is completely unsustainable.

What are the alternatives to Waking Watch?

The two primary alternatives are wired or wireless fire alarm systems that remove the need for manual patrols.

Replacing Waking Watch with a wireless fire alarm system

At Cygnus, we offer the Cygnus SN-100 and Cygnus SN-Pro for larger projects. Both systems are fully EN 54-certified, true wireless fire detection and alarm systems. Funding may be available through the Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF), which has replaced the previous Waking Watch Replacement Fund (WWRF).

Unlike Waking Watch, which relies on human patrols, Cygnus systems provide continuous automated fire detection, enabling earlier response. Coverage is building-wide and consistent, helping to improve safety while remediation works are ongoing.

While Waking Watch is often chosen for rapid deployment, Cygnus systems can also be installed quickly, often significantly faster than traditional wired systems, without creating regulatory complications. As installation requires no wiring beyond the panel, there is minimal disruption and no structural damage.

A Cygnus system can also form part of a longer-term fire safety strategy, even after remediation. Alternatively, if no longer required, it can be removed easily without structural impact.

Which fire alarm is right for your building?

Book a demo or speak to our fire safety experts to find out more about how Cygnus can support your fire safety needs.