A Waking Watch is a temporary fire safety measure where trained Waking Watch officers patrol a high-risk building in cases when standard fire systems or safety measures are not in place or don’t meet sufficient requirements. Its purpose is to provide continuous, on-site vigilance, identifying fire hazards and responding immediately to protect occupants and property.

As a result, Waking Watch services have become increasingly important in the UK after significant fire incidents such as the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. Whether it's fire safety defects like unsafe cladding systems in high-rise residential buildings, fault alarms, or builds awaiting remedial work, Waking Watches act as an interim safety measure. The main purpose is to ensure risk is managed until permanent fire protection systems are fully in place.

Why Waking Watches Have Become Crucial in the UK

Waking Watches have become a vital part of modern fire-safety practice in the UK due to heightened awareness following several major fire incidents, such as the Grenfell fire in 2017, and the resulting shift in safety expectations. These events highlighted the need for stronger interim protection measures whenever a building’s fire safety cannot be fully relied upon.

Waking Watches are commonly required in situations where the fire risk is significantly elevated, including:

• Buildings with unsafe or combustible cladding

• Properties with faulty or unreliable fire alarm systems

• Sites where fire doors, compartmentation, or evacuation routes are compromised

• Buildings undergoing remediation or safety upgrades that temporarily reduce fire protection

Under UK fire safety legislation, building owners and the designated responsible person have a legal duty to act when the risk increases. If standard fire systems cannot provide adequate protection, they must implement additional measures, such as a Waking Watch, to ensure residents and occupants remain safe until permanent solutions are in place.

24/7 Waking Watch & Evacuation Management

Keep your building and occupants safe with our professional Waking Watch services and evacuation management at Fire & Evacuation Services. Our expert teams bring a high level of competence and professionalism, strengthened by our backgrounds as fire wardens, to safeguard high-risk buildings effectively.

 By choosing us for your Waking Watch service, you benefit from:

✓ Firefighter-Led Expertise

✓ Proven Performance in Complex Environments

✓ NFCC-aligned protocols and reporting

✓ Immediate, Life-Saving Response

✓ Versatile Across Building Types

✓ Resident-Focused Safety Approach

Enquire about our Waking Watch services today →

How a Waking Watch Works: Roles and Responsibilities

A Waking Watch operates through trained fire-safety personnel who provide constant on-site monitoring to ensure residents and occupants are protected when a building’s fire systems are not fully reliable. Their duties are active, continuous, and focused on early detection and rapid response.

Typical Responsibilities Include:

• 24/7 Patrols: Regular patrols of every floor, escape route, and the external perimeter to identify fire safety concerns, including signs of smoke, heat, fire, or anything unusual.

• Early Fire Detection: Monitoring for potential fire hazards such as burning smells, smoke migration, or visible flames, ensuring issues are identified before they escalate.

• Raising the Alarm: If a fire is detected or even suspected, waking watch personnel immediately raise the alarm, either through the building’s system or by alerting residents directly.

Evacuation Management

Waking Watch teams play a key role in emergency evacuation, ensuring residents exit the building safely and quickly. They alert occupants (often through a simultaneous evacuation strategy), guide them toward safe routes, and coordinate assembly points. They also liaise with emergency services to provide clear information when crews arrive.

Record Keeping & Compliance

To maintain accountability, Waking Watch personnel keep detailed patrol logs, incident reports, and hazard records. These documents support compliance with fire safety obligations and ensure building owners can evidence the actions taken to manage elevated fire risks.

When and Why Waking Watch Is Used (When It’s Needed)

A Waking Watch is introduced when a building’s fire risk is significantly higher than normal, or when standard fire safety systems cannot be relied upon to keep occupants safe. It acts as a temporary but essential safeguard until permanent remedial work or system upgrades are complete.

Common situations where a Waking Watch is required include:

Faulty or Inadequate Fire Alarm Systems 

When a building’s fire detection or alarm system is unreliable, undergoing maintenance, or fails to meet safety standards, a Waking Watch provides the human oversight needed to detect fire early and initiate evacuation.

High-Rise Buildings with Dangerous Cladding or Structural Fire Risks 

Properties affected by safety issues, such as combustible cladding issues, poor compartmentation, or other structural issues, often require Waking Watch cover until remedial works are completed and the building is deemed safe again. For a detailed guide on which buildings are most at risk, see our blog: 5 At-Risk Buildings That Are Advised to Have a Waking Watch for Personal Safety.

When ‘Stay-Put’ Is No Longer Safe 

If the traditional stay-put evacuation strategy can’t be maintained due to compromised fire doors, breaches in fire-stopping, or poor compartmentation, the building may be moved to a simultaneous evacuation policy. A Waking Watch supports this by ensuring rapid, building-wide alerting and guidance in an emergency.

Large or Complex Buildings 

Sites with complicated layouts, extended corridors, or multiple escape routes may require additional oversight to ensure residents can evacuate quickly and safely in the event of a fire.

Benefits of Waking Watch — What It Can Deliver Immediately

A Waking Watch provides instant protection when a building’s fire risk is elevated, ensuring continuous vigilance and rapid action even when technical systems are compromised. Key benefits of a Waking Watch include: 

✓ Early Warning & Rapid Response - Human patrols can detect smoke, fire, unusual smells, or signs of danger long before an unreliable or offline alarm system would activate. This immediate detection significantly reduces the chance of a fire spreading unnoticed.

✓ 24/7 Reassurance for Residents - The presence of trained personnel offers peace of mind to residents and occupants, knowing someone is actively monitoring the building at all hours and ready to respond the moment risk increases.

✓ Effective Interim Protection During Remediation - Waking Watch is widely used as a temporary measure while unsafe cladding is removed, fire-stopping works are carried out, or compliant fire alarm systems are being installed. It helps maintain safety while long-term solutions are implemented.

✓ Evacuation Support in High-Risk Buildings - During an emergency, waking watch teams help alert residents, coordinate safe evacuation routes, and support vulnerable occupants, particularly important in large, complex, or high-occupancy buildings.

How Waking Watch Fits with Fire & Evacuation Services’ Offering

Fire & Evacuation Services provides a firefighter-led Waking Watch that goes beyond basic patrols, offering professional oversight for high-risk buildings.

• Expertise & Compliance - Our teams of serving or former firefighters bring real emergency experience and advanced fire safety training, fully aligned with National Fire Chiefs Council guidance and fire legislation.

• Integrated Fire & Security Services - We combine Waking Watch with alarm monitoring, alarm response, keyholding, and security services, ensuring rapid response and holistic protection.

• Structured Safety & Reporting - All deployments follow strict protocols, including patrol logs, incident reporting, evacuation support, and resident communication, maintaining safety throughout remediation or system upgrades.

• Tailored Solutions - Services are customised for building type, occupancy, and risk profile — from high-rise towers to Extra Care Housing and complex commercial sites, delivering reliable, resident-focused protection.

Is a Waking Watch Right for Your Building?

A Waking Watch can provide immediate protection and peace of mind for buildings with elevated fire safety issues. Key benefits include continuous, on-site vigilance, rapid response to potential hazards, and structured support for evacuation, particularly in high-risk or complex buildings.

However, it’s important to note that a Waking Watch is an interim safety measure; it is not a substitute for fully compliant fire safety systems. Its primary purpose is to manage risk temporarily until permanent fire protection upgrades or remedial works are completed.

If you’re a building owner, manager, landlord, or resident, Fire & Evacuation Services can help. 

Contact us for our Waking Watch services and evacuation management today →