Waking Watch

Definition and Operational Scope#

A waking watch is a temporary fire safety measure implemented within a building to ensure that, in the event of a fire, there is sufficient warning to residents to facilitate an evacuation. In the context of the UK built environment, it typically involves trained personnel patrolling all floors and the exterior of a building twenty-four hours a day. The primary objective is to detect a fire in its earliest stages and to manually alert occupants, particularly when the building's permanent fire safety systems—such as the fire alarm or the external wall construction—are deemed insufficient for the prevailing fire strategy.

The shift from a 'Stay Put' policy to a 'Simultaneous Evacuation' strategy is the catalyst for a waking watch. Under a 'Stay Put' strategy, residents are advised to remain in their flats unless the fire is in their own unit, relying on the building’s compartmentation to contain the blaze. However, if the integrity of that compartmentation is compromised, or if the external wall system poses a risk of rapid fire spread, the strategy must change to ensure everyone leaves the building immediately upon the discovery of a fire. A waking watch provides the human element required to initiate this evacuation before a comprehensive fire alarm system can be installed or the building defects rectified.

Relation to External Wall Systems (EWS)#

The requirement for a waking watch is frequently linked to the findings of an EWS1 assessment or a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW). When a competent professional identifies that the cladding, insulation, or cavity barriers within an external wall system do not meet the necessary performance standards to support a 'Stay Put' policy, the building’s risk profile changes.

External wall systems that incorporate combustible materials can potentially allow fire to bypass the internal compartmentation by spreading across the facade. In such instances, the safety of the occupants depends on early detection and rapid communication. Because many older residential blocks were not designed with integrated, high-coverage alarm systems that sound in every individual apartment, the waking watch serves as a manual substitute. The personnel are tasked not only with detecting smoke or flame but also with physically alerting residents, often using klaxons or by knocking on doors, to ensure the evacuation begins without delay.

Regulatory Framework and Guidance#

The implementation of a waking watch is governed by guidance rather than a single specific statute, though it falls under the broader remit of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) produced specific guidance on "Simultaneous Evacuation," which has become the standard reference for building owners and fire safety professionals.

This guidance emphasises that a waking watch is an interim measure and should not be viewed as a long-term solution. The NFCC suggests that building owners should prioritise the installation of common fire alarm systems (designed to BS 5839-1 standards) to replace the need for physical patrols. Local Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) have the authority to issue Enforcement Notices if they believe the fire safety measures in a building are inadequate, and they often cite the NFCC guidance when requiring a waking watch to be established.

The Role in Cladding Remediation Projects#

In the lifecycle of cladding repair and replacement, a waking watch often marks the beginning of the remediation journey. It is typically introduced immediately after a fire risk assessment identifies significant defects. As the project moves toward the replacement of the cladding, the waking watch remains a constant operational overhead until the risk is mitigated.

In some cases, the physical work of removing cladding can temporarily increase fire risk—for example, by exposing combustible insulation or creating openings in the building envelope. During these phases, the waking watch may need to be adjusted to account for the changing state of the building. Once the non-compliant materials are replaced and the external wall system is restored to a standard that supports 'Stay Put', or once a permanent Grade A fire alarm system is commissioned, the waking watch is typically decommissioned following a revised Fire Risk Assessment.

Considerations for Building Management#

For Responsible Persons, such as members of a Residents' Management Company (RMC) or Right to Manage (RTM) directors, the waking watch represents a significant logistical and financial burden. The costs are generally recoverable through service charges, subject to the terms of the lease and any successful applications to government funding schemes, such as the Waking Watch Relief Fund or the Waking Watch Replacement Fund.

Managing agents must ensure that the personnel employed for a waking watch are suitably trained. This includes a thorough understanding of the building's layout, the location of vulnerable residents who may require assistance during an evacuation, and the specific fire hazards present on the site. The effectiveness of the watch is dependent on the rigour of the patrols; logs must be maintained to evidence that all areas are being monitored at the required intervals. Failure to maintain an effective watch can lead to legal liability and the potential for the Fire and Rescue Service to issue a Prohibition Notice, which could result in the building being vacated.

Common Misunderstandings#

A frequent point of confusion is the distinction between a waking watch and standard site security. While both involve personnel patrolling a premises, their objectives are entirely different. Security focuses on preventing unauthorised access and criminal activity, whereas a waking watch is strictly a life-safety function focused on fire detection and evacuation. A security guard may not necessarily have the specific fire safety training required to satisfy the NFCC guidance.

Another misunderstanding is the belief that a waking watch is intended to fight fires. The personnel are not firefighters; their role is to detect, report, and alert. Attempting to extinguish a fire can distract from the critical task of initiating a simultaneous evacuation. Furthermore, residents occasionally assume that the presence of a waking watch makes the building 'safe'. In technical terms, the building remains at higher risk due to its fabric; the watch is a compensatory measure designed to manage that risk to a tolerable level until remediation occurs.

Related Terminology#

To understand the context of waking watch, several related terms are essential:

• Simultaneous Evacuation: A fire strategy where all occupants are alerted to leave the building at the same time.
• Stay Put: A strategy where residents not in the immediate area of the fire remain in their flats, relying on the building's fire separation.
• Evacuation Alert System (EAS): A system, often installed to BS 8629, intended for use by the Fire and Rescue Service to signal the need for evacuation.
• Compensatory Measures: Actions taken to mitigate fire safety risks when the primary fire protection features are absent or defective.
• Person Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA): An assessment focused on the individual needs of residents who may have difficulty evacuating without assistance.