Waking Watch Supplier Checklist

When fire safety is compromised, especially in high-rise or at-risk buildings, it's critical to get the correct waking watch supplier. A waking watch isn't something where a body gets dropped into a building — it's about trained professional fire marshals who have the capability to prevent, detect, and react to fire risk effectively, safeguarding lives while permanent measures like fire alarm systems or cladding remediation are being carried out.

Are you selecting a waking watch supplier? Use this checklist to make sure you're obtaining the right provider for your building's fire safety needs:

1. Successful Track Record

• ☐ Completed at least 5 waking watch jobs successfully
• ☐ Experienced with different types of buildings (residential, healthcare, commercial)
• ☐ Can provide case studies or client referrals

2. Fire Strategies Experience

• ☐ Successfully operated under "Stay Put" policies
• ☐ Successfully operated under "Simultaneous Evacuation" policies
• ☐ Is aware of when and how to transition between strategies if needed

3. Documented Evacuation Drill Performance

• ☐ Conducts evacuation drills on a regular basis
• ☐ Provides recorded drill reports(including evacuation times and team performance)
• ☐ Demonstrates improvements based on drill results

4. Highly Trained, Certified Personnel

• ☐ Staff trained to NFCC standards
• ☐ Exposed to fire marshal duties and first aid
• ☐ Aware of building-specific fire practices and evacuation routes

5. Reporting Clarity, Communication, and Accountability

• ☐ Files daily patrol and incident reports
• ☐ Has clear escalation procedures for fire risks
• ☐ Communicates in an open manner with residents and management
• ☐ Coordinating effectively with emergency services when needed

Quick Tip

Don't take their word for it— get documents, training certificates, reports of evacuation drills, and specimen reports before signing that contract!

Fire safety needs more than promises — it needs evidence.

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