Waking Watch – Everything you need to know.

In the realm of building safety, especially in the wake of devastating fires in high-rise buildings, the term ‘waking watch’ has gained prominence in the UK. But what exactly does it mean? And just as importantly, who bears the cost of this essential service? Triton Security sheds light on these questions and more.

What is Waking Watch?

A waking watch is a continuous patrol of all the floors and areas of a building by trained wardens to detect and respond to any signs of fire. These wardens, often referred to as ‘waking watch wardens’, play a critical role in early fire detection and resident safety. Their duties include:

• Regularly patrolling all areas of the building, especially common parts.
• Immediately raising the alarm upon detection of fire or potential fire hazards.
• Assisting residents in evacuating the building safely, if necessary.
• Constantly monitoring fire safety systems and reporting any irregularities or malfunctions.
• Offering guidance and information to residents about fire safety measures in place.

Their presence ensures that, should a fire break out, residents can be quickly alerted, allowing for prompt and safe evacuation. This is particularly vital in buildings where there are concerns about the effectiveness or absence of fire alarms, sprinklers, or other safety measures.

The Importance of Waking Watch

The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 painfully highlighted the risks associated with high-rise living. The fire’s rapid spread and the loss of 72 lives underscored the urgent need for robust fire safety measures, including waking watches, especially in buildings with flammable cladding or other vulnerabilities.

In line with this, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) provided vital guidance stating, “Where a waking watch is implemented, as soon as practicable but within a month, the Responsible Persons should make a plan for implementing sustainable means for supporting the evacuation strategy to allow the building to transition away from a waking watch.”

According to the latest statistics from gov.uk for the year ending March 2023:

These statistics highlight the invaluable role waking watches play in ensuring the safety of building residents, especially in high-risk structures like high-rises.

The History of Waking Watch

Our timeline takes you through the key developments and government actions aimed at enhancing the safety of high-rise buildings. From emergency measures to substantial funding and policy reforms, trace the journey of this critical safety protocol designed to protect residents and ensure peace of mind.

• Post-Grenfell Immediate Response (June 2017):

Immediately after the Grenfell Tower fire, safety concerns regarding cladding on high-rise buildings led to increased scrutiny and the implementation of interim safety measures, such as Waking Watch, where trained personnel would be on duty to ensure fire safety and aid evacuation if necessary.

• Government Engagement and Funding (December 2020):

The UK Government, working with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), established a £30 million Waking Watch Relief Fund to finance the installation of alarm systems in buildings with unsafe cladding, aiming to reduce the financial burden of Waking Watch on leaseholders.

• Guidance on Fire Safety Strategy (December 2020):

Updated guidance from the NFCC recommended that buildings transitioning from a ‘Stay Put’ to a ‘Simultaneous Evacuation’ strategy should install temporary common fire alarm systems if the change is beyond a short-term period.

• Infrastructure and Inspection Support (2020/21):

The government provided £10 million in additional funding to support fire and rescue services in responding to the recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry, including the availability of smoke hoods and improved communication during major incidents.

• High-Rise Residential Building Inspections (By end of 2021):

The government committed to ensuring all high-rise residential buildings would be inspected or reviewed by the end of 2021, with an additional £3.5 billion announced in February 2021 for cladding remediation on buildings over 18 meters tall.

• Revised NFCC Simultaneous Evacuation Guidance (October 2021):

The NFCC published revised guidance advising responsible persons to consider cost-benefit options with leaseholders and residents and encouraging the installation of common fire alarm systems to reduce reliance on Waking Watch​​.

• Continued Funding for Fire and Rescue Services (2021/22):

The UK Government allocated further funding to fire and rescue services to increase the capacity and capability of their protection teams and to the NFCC for the development of a central strategic leadership function and protection hub.

• Waking Watch Replacement Fund (May 2023):

The UK Government announced an allocation of £18.6 million for the Waking Watch Replacement Fund to support the installation of alarm systems in residential buildings using Waking Watch in England, extending financial aid beyond prior funds aimed at buildings with fire safety concerns.

Who Should Pay?

The question of who should bear the cost of waking watch services is a contentious one:

Building Owners/Management Companies: Many argue that since waking watches are necessitated due to design flaws or poor maintenance, the cost should be borne by building owners or the management companies responsible for the structure.

Government Grants: To alleviate the financial burden on leaseholders and tenants, the UK government has set up funds to support the removal of unsafe cladding and the installation of alarm systems. This has indirectly reduced the duration for which waking watches are required, thus cutting down their associated costs.

Leaseholders: In some cases, the cost has been passed onto leaseholders through service charge hikes. However, this has been controversial, with many believing that leaseholders shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of these costs, especially when they had no role in the building’s faulty design or maintenance.

The consensus, however, leans heavily towards building owners and management companies. With increasing pressure from tenant associations and regulatory bodies, the expectation is for them to bear this cost, ensuring that residents feel safe in their homes without an additional financial burden.

Conclusion

The waking watch service, while an interim measure, plays an irreplaceable role in safeguarding residents of high-rise buildings, especially those with known vulnerabilities. While the debate about who should pay continues, there is no question about its importance in the landscape of modern high-rise living. As always, Triton Security remains at the forefront, championing best practices and keeping our communities safe.