3 min read

Ensuring Fire Safety: 24/7 Waking Watch Services for High-Risk Buildings

Ensuring Fire Safety: 24/7 Waking Watch Services for High-Risk Buildings
Waking Watch Services: 24/7 Fire Safety Patrols | Circle UK Group
8:07

Across the UK — especially in London — thousands of buildings continue to require Waking Watch services to remain safe and compliant while fire remediation or cladding replacement work takes place. As one of the UK’s trusted fire safety providers, Circle UK Group delivers professional, fully trained Waking Watch fire marshals who protect residents, support evacuation procedures, and help property owners meet their legal obligations under the Building Safety Act.

Waking Watch is no longer simply a temporary safety solution; it is a regulated, compliance-critical service that demands high standards of training, reporting, and accountability. Circle UK Group provides exactly that — reliable, well-supervised, and cost-controlled Waking Watch patrols tailored to the building’s specific risk profile.

What Is a Waking Watch?

A Waking Watch (sometimes called "fire watch") is a 24/7 fire safety patrol designed to detect signs of smoke or fire and raise an immediate alarm. It is required when:

  • Fire alarms are faulty

  • Cladding remediation is pending

  • Fire compartmentation or safety systems are compromised

  • A Fire Risk Assessment identifies elevated danger

Circle’s fire marshals continuously patrol the building, support evacuation, and provide real-time reporting to managing agents and residents.

Request Free Risk Exposure Audit

Waking Watch and the Building Safety Act

The Building Safety Act 2022 places legal duties on building owners and responsible persons to:

  • Manage fire risk proactively

  • Maintain full visibility of safety measures

  • Ensure competent personnel oversee high-risk buildings

  • Provide transparent safety documentation

Circle UK Group ensures Waking Watch operations align fully with the Act, including:

  • Competent, trained staff

  • Digital logs and incident records

  • Evidence of proactive fire risk management

  • Resident engagement and communication

This makes Circle a trusted partner for Responsible Persons (RPs), managing agents, and housing providers.

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Waking Watch Guidance: What UK Fire Authorities Require

Circle’s Waking Watch operations are delivered in line with national guidance from:

  • National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)

  • Home Office Waking Watch Replacement Fund Guidance

  • Local Fire and Rescue Service policies

  • PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessment procedures

Core requirements we follow include:

  • Continuous or rolling patrols of all affected areas

  • Immediate activation of alarms or manual alert systems

  • Detailed incident logs and daily reporting

  • Trained fire marshals familiar with the building layout

  • Clear evacuation plans and resident briefings

Your property remains fully compliant and audit-ready at all times.

Fire safety London UK

 

Circle UK Group Waking Watch Services

Our Waking Watch services support all property types, including:

  • High-rise residential blocks

  • HMOs and mixed-use buildings

  • Student accommodation

  • Hotels

  • Social housing developments

  • Commercial buildings with fire safety defects

We provide:

24/7 Fire Patrols

Trained fire marshals conduct internal and external rounds, checking for hazards, faults, and risks.

Evacuation Support

In the event of fire, Circle’s team raises alarms, assists residents, and coordinates with the Fire Service.

Digital Reporting & Accountability

Each patrol is logged electronically, giving managing agents real-time visibility of activity, incidents, and compliance records.

Waking Watch Training & Competency

Circle provides structured Waking Watch training that includes:

  • Fire detection and hazard identification

  • Evacuation protocols

  • Building layout familiarisation

  • Communication and emergency procedures

  • Fire Marshal & Fire Warden certification

This ensures every patrol is carried out by competent, professional fire safety personnel.

Request Free Risk Exposure Audit

Waking Watch Costs: What Determines the Price?


Circle UK Group offers cost-effective Waking Watch solutions, with pricing based on:

  • Number of fire marshals needed

  • Building size & layout

  • Required patrol frequency

  • Hours per day (day only, night only, or 24/7)

  • Whether additional services (CCTV, alarms, mobile patrols) are required

Circle also helps clients reduce long-term costs by advising on the Waking Watch Replacement Fund and alternative solutions such as:

  • Wireless temporary alarms

  • Building-wide audio alert systems

  • Integrated evacuation technology

Where possible, we help you transition from expensive 24/7 patrols to more cost-efficient fire alarm systems.

Who Needs Waking Watch Services?

Your building may require a Waking Watch if:

  • Cladding replacement is pending

  • A Fire Risk Assessment identifies high fire spread risk

  • Fire alarms are non-functional or inadequate

  • Temporary works have compromised fire protection

  • Your insurer or Fire and Rescue Service mandates it

Circle UK Group provides fast deployment for:

  • Managing agents

  • Housing associations

  • Commercial landlords

  • Developers

  • Local authorities

Why Choose Circle UK Group?

Choosing Circle UK Group means choosing full compliance with NFCC Waking Watch guidance, delivered by experienced and highly trained fire marshals. We provide local coverage across London, the South East, and nationwide, supported by transparent, real-time digital reporting that keeps you fully informed at every stage.

Our teams can be mobilised rapidly — often with same-day availability — and we offer competitive pricing backed by a clear cost-control strategy. You also benefit from seamless integration with Circle’s wider services, including fire alarms, CCTV, and security solutions.

With Circle UK Group, you’re not just meeting regulatory requirements — you’re gaining complete peace of mind.

 

Get a Waking Watch Quote Today

Protect residents. Stay compliant. Keep your building safe.

Call: 020 8004 9000
Email: info@circleukgroup.co.uk

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