Waking Watch Security | Smart Watch Security UK
24/7 Waking Watch patrols across the UK. Compliant, accredited & ready to protect your building
Waking Watch Services by Smart Watch Security
Keeping residents safe the moment a fire risk emerges is our highest priority. Smart Watch Security delivers fully accredited Waking Watch patrols—trained fire wardens who remain awake, alert and on-site 24/7—so your building can maintain immediate evacuation readiness and meet UK fire-safety regulations.
What Is a Waking Watch?
A Waking Watch is a continuous, physical patrol of every floor and the external perimeter of a residential building. Wardens are tasked to:
- Spot smoke, fire or ignition sources before alarms trigger
- Raise the alarm and initiate simultaneous evacuation within seconds
- Assist vulnerable residents to safety
- Monitor fire-safety systems and report defects in real time
- Liaise with emergency services on arrival
When Do You Need Waking Watch Cover?
- Your building has combustible cladding or other critical fire-safety defects.
- The evacuation strategy has moved from “Stay Put” to “Simultaneous Evacuation.”
- Fire-resistant compartmentation is compromised (e.g., faulty doors, cavities).
- A common alarm system has yet to be installed or proven.
Average interim costs reach £17,897 per building (≈ £331 per flat), motivating many landlords to limit Waking Watch duration and move swiftly to permanent alarm solutions.
Government Funding Can Slash Your Costs
The £41.71 million Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 now covers every residential building in England that still relies on Waking Watch, regardless of height or who pays the watch fees. The scheme—recently extended to March 2026—pays for installation of BS 5839-1 Category L5 common fire-alarm systems, enabling you to stand down expensive patrols sooner. Smart Watch Security can help you gather the evidence required for a successful funding application and seamlessly transition from watch to alarm monitoring when your system goes live.
Why Choose Smart Watch Security?
- SIA-licensed & NFCC-aligned training
- Wardens follow the latest Simultaneous Evacuation guidance.
- Rapid mobilisation—often within 24 hours
- No compliance gaps while you await remediation.
- Digital patrol logging
- Live QR-code checkpoints and incident reporting for full auditability.
- Nationwide coverage
- Local response teams in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and beyond.
- Integrated services
Optional temporary fire-alarm systems and CCTV for hybrid solutions.
Service Workflow
- Risk Survey & Strategy – Free site audit and evacuation-plan review.
- Deployment – Uniformed wardens, body-cams and two-way radios activated.
- Daily Compliance Reports – Time-stamped patrol logs delivered to stakeholders.
- Transition Support – Assistance switching to permanent alarms under the Replacement Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Waking Watch actually do?
Trained wardens patrol all floors and common areas, raise the alarm at the first sign of fire and help evacuate residents, ensuring no one is left behind.
How long will I need a Waking Watch?
NFCC guidance says a plan to install a common alarm should be in place within one month of starting patrols; most clients transition in 3–9 months.
Is financial help available?
Yes. The Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 reimburses alarm-installation costs incurred after 25 May 2023 and now runs until March 2026.
Who pays if funding isn’t secured?
Industry consensus—and increasing regulatory pressure—puts primary responsibility on building owners/management companies, not leaseholders.
Ready to Protect Your Residents Today?
Call 0113 833 0977 or email contact@smartwatchsecurity.co.uk for same-day mobilisation.
Protect Your Business Today
Compliant and ready to protect your building while you transition to safer long-term fire solutions.