One of the most immediate responses to the Grenfell tragedy was the implementation of “Waking Watch” patrols – fire wardens employed to maintain a 24/7 vigilant presence in buildings with significant fire safety concerns, particularly those with dangerous cladding. But is it time to move on?
Following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, the approach to fire safety in high-rise residential buildings irrevocably changed for the UK. The disaster exposed deep flaws in building safety regulation, cladding material oversight, and emergency preparedness, prompting urgent changes to be made. One of the most immediate responses was the implementation of “Waking Watch” patrols – fire wardens employed to maintain a 24/7 vigilant presence in buildings with significant fire safety concerns, particularly those with dangerous cladding. While intended as a temporary measure to protect residents until remediation work could be completed, Waking Watch has faced intense criticism due to its high financial costs, limited long-term effectiveness, and the psychological toll it places on residents.
For many residents, the visible presence of fire wardens acted as a daily reminder that their homes were unsafe. The lack of a clear end date for these arrangements further contributed to ongoing stress and uncertainty. In some cases, Waking Watch costs were so prohibitive that leaseholders were left facing financial hardship, with monthly charges running into the hundreds of pounds.
As of 2025, the fire safety conversation has shifted. Government funding schemes updated regulatory frameworks, and advances in alarm system technology are encouraging a more sustainable, long-term alternative to Waking Watch. These developments are driven not only by cost-efficiency, but by the need to deliver a more reliable and permanent standard of protection for residents. One such initiative – the Waking Watch Replacement Fund – is helping building owners and managers install common alarm systems that comply with British Standards and improve both safety and quality of life for residents. These systems are designed to be futureproof, offering early detection, audible evacuation alerts, and integration with building management systems – removing the need for human patrols altogether.
The waking watch scheme has proved to be problematic over time. The financial burden on leaseholders has been significant, with some residents paying hundreds of pounds monthly to fund these patrols. In addition, Waking Watch has not always guaranteed improved fire safety, delays in remediation works have extended the necessity of these temporary measures, compounding costs and resident anxiety.
The 2021 Fire Safety Act clarified building owners’ responsibilities to manage fire risks, making it imperative to move beyond temporary solutions toward more permanent systems. This has been reinforced by the Building Safety Fund and the Waking Watch Replacement Fund (WWRF), both aimed at reducing the dependency on human patrols and replacing them with automated detection systems that meet strict compliance criteria – offering not just cost savings, but far greater protection and peace of mind for residents.
Recognising the unsustainability of Waking Watch patrols, the government introduced the WWRF as a financial mechanism to support the installation of fire alarm systems in high-risk residential buildings. The fund has since been extended to March 2026, reflecting its central role in improving residential fire safety across the UK.
The WWRF is accessible to building owners and property managers whose properties meet a certain criteria – primarily that they are occupied, residential, and currently utilising Waking Watch. Applicants must register through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and submit a detailed application outlining the intended works, costs, and compliance assurances.
Crucially, the WWRF is not just a cost-saving initiative; it is a strategic shift towards modernising fire safety. The fund encourages adherence to British Standards, particularly BS 5839-1, which provides recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems. The alignment between funding and standards ensures that fire safety enhancements are not only affordable but also effective and durable.
Click here for more information from the UK Government web site.
BS 5839-1 2025 is the cornerstone of effective fire alarm design in non-domestic premises, including communal parts of multi-occupancy residential buildings. It provides a comprehensive framework for every phase of a fire detection system’s lifecycle – from design through to maintenance.
Key elements of BS 583-1 include:
Excerpted from London Fire Brigade Guidance Note 90 (GN90):
“Considering the specific purpose of this guidance, the common fire alarm system should generally be designed in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5839-1 for a Category L5 system, except that the sound pressure level of the fire alarm signal within flats need only be 85Db(A) at the open doorways of every bedroom in each flat, rather than having to achieve 75Db(A) at the bed head with the door closed.
The system should incorporate heat detectors within each room in every flat that has a window that overlooks an area of external wall that is clad with a material that results in a significant or notable fire hazard (except possibly toilets and bathrooms).
Heat detectors should also be included in any other rooms, such as plant rooms and other ancillary facilities with windows or vents through which a fire could spread and ignite cladding. Consideration might also need to be given to the provision of smoke detectors within common parts, but these detectors should not initiate the general evacuation of the building; they may give a warning only to the waking watch team.
An immediate evacuation signal should be triggered by the operation of any single heat detector. The evacuation signal should not rely on the coincident operation of two heat detectors (sometimes described as “double knock”), as such an arrangement would not result in early enough operation of the evacuation signal in the event of a serious fire that might affect cladding.”
Adhering to BS 5839-1 not only enhances fire detection capabilities but also aligns with regulatory obligations and insurance requirements. For residents, it offers peace of mind – knowing their safety does not depend solely on human observation, but on rigorously tested and maintained technology.
To illustrate how Waking Watch measures can be replaced with a more sustainable solution, consider the experience of a London borough council responsible for several high-rise residential buildings.
Faced with the growing financial burden of maintaining 24/7 Waking Watch patrols, the council sought a long-term alternative. With funding secured through the Waking Watch Replacement Fund, they initiated a project to install a common fire alarm system across several properties. The objective was clear: improve fire safety, reduce reliance on human patrols, and ease the financial strain on leaseholders.
Using fire safety products from Hochiki, an established manufacturer, the selected devices were fully compliant with BS 5839-1 and the systems were designed to comply with the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 for a Category L5 system, with heat sensors sited by the windows to provide the earliest warning of a cladding fire.. Addressable alarm panels were installed, allowing precise identification of any incident within the buildings.
To deliver this, the council partnered with Fire Alarms Fabrication Services (FAFS), who deployed Hochiki’s innovative wireless range across the six tower blocks – each 16 storeys tall. These towers had previously required a team of six wardens patrolling day and night at a cost of £10,000 per week. Despite the significant expense, Waking Watch teams could not be present everywhere at once, and were restricted from entering private apartments – creating blind spots in fire risk coverage.
The system addressed these shortcomings directly. Its wireless mesh network allowed devices to be installed adjacent to every window – including those of private dwellings as well as in communal corridors, stairwells, and exits. This ensured 24/7 monitoring of the entire building, including critical cladding zones, where fire spread could otherwise go undetected. The system’s flexible wireless design enabled installation with minimal disruption and no need for invasive cabling, which was essential in occupied buildings.
Following full commissioning and testing of the system, Waking Watch patrols were withdrawn entirely. The outcome was significant:
The project not only demonstrated the value of a compliant and effective safety system but also underscored the vital role of collaboration between manufacturers, installers, and local authorities in delivering effective, long-term fire safety solutions.
The introduction of common alarm systems represents more than a technical upgrade – it reflects a broader shift in regulatory expectations and industry culture. Advice from the government, along with the Department for Communities, highlights the importance of automated detection in achieving simultaneous evacuation across entire buildings.
This guidance, combined with sustained government funding, has made clear that the long-term strategy for building safety must rely on reliable systems and robust standards, rather than human observation. It also reinforces the critical role of local authorities and housing associations in not only implementing but maintaining compliant fire safety solutions.
For many residents, especially those in buildings identified as high risk due to combustible cladding, daily life has been accompanied by persistent anxiety. The presence of Waking Watch patrols – intended to provide reassurance – often had the opposite effect, serving as a constant reminder of vulnerability and incomplete safety measures. Numerous accounts from affected residents have revealed elevated stress levels, disrupted sleep, and a lack of confidence in the reliability of temporary measures.
Replacing Waking Watch with a reliable, standards-compliant alarm system significantly improves not only fire safety outcomes but also the overall mental wellbeing of residents. Automated detection provides impartial, 24/7 coverage without the psychological weight of surveillance. The quiet assurance of infrastructure rather than the visual presence of Waking Watch patrols allows residents to begin feeling at home again.
A frequent barrier in upgrading fire safety infrastructure has been the cost of installing the detection systems. However, multiple studies, including one by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, have illustrated that the cost of maintaining a Waking Watch can exceed that of installing an alarm system in just a matter of months. When considering buildings with multiple exits, floor levels, or complex layouts, these costs increase further.
Furthermore, the Waking Watch Replacement Fund, now extended until March 2026, ensures that upfront investment is no longer a deterrent for eligible buildings. When long-term savings are combined with the elimination of monthly patrols fees, the financial argument becomes unequivocal. Alarm systems are not only safer – they are economically smarter.
As the fire safety landscape evolves, it’s crucial to embrace permanent, standards-based solutions that transcend interim fixes. Replacing Waking Watch with compliant alarm systems not only meets regulatory requirements but also fosters safer, more resilient communities. Modern alarm technology provides faster response times, intelligent alerts, and seamless integration with emergency services, offering better protection and oversight for building managers.
The long-term cost benefits are clear: a well-maintained alarm system significantly reduces ongoing operational costs compared to Waking Watch’s 24/7 expense. Successful implementation requires collaboration among stakeholders and adherence to standards like BS 5839-1, leading to improved quality of life.
Transitioning away from Waking Watch is just the beginning. Initiatives such as the Waking Watch Replacement Fund, along with the industry’s commitment to British Standards, pave the way for building owners and managers to adopt cost-effective, sustainable solutions.
Ultimately, this is about restoring trust – in homes, systems, and in the organisations responsible for keeping people safe and to ensure every resident’s safety, the fire safety sector must continue driving innovation, regulation, and education. Only then can we create a future where safety is designed into buildings, rather than watched for.
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