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

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.  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. 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.

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. Comprised of trained personnel who are present on site around the clock, a Waking Watch service operates as an active early warning and intervention system during periods of elevated fire risk. These teams conduct frequent patrols of all communal areas, stairwells, corridors, and high-risk locations within a building, remaining vigilant for any indicators of smoke, fire, or system faults. Their presence provides a crucial layer of protection for residents and property, ensuring that potential incidents are identified and responded to without delay. This continuous monitoring is especially important in buildings undergoing fire safety remediation or where passive protection measures are temporarily inadequate. A Waking Watch 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.

Waking Watch and the Building Safety Act

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduces clear legal responsibilities for building owners and responsible persons, requiring them to manage fire risk proactively, maintain consistent oversight of safety measures, ensure that competent individuals are appointed to oversee high-risk buildings, and provide transparent, accurate safety documentation.

Within a Waking Watch arrangement, these duties translate into the need for properly trained personnel, clear and accessible records of patrols and incidents, and demonstrable evidence that fire risks are being monitored and addressed on an ongoing basis. Effective resident communication and engagement also remain essential, ensuring that occupants understand the safety arrangements in place and the procedures they should follow in the event of an emergency.

Waking Watch Guidance: What UK Fire Authorities Require

Waking Watch arrangements in the UK are expected to follow established national fire safety guidance, including principles set out by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the Home Office’s Waking Watch Replacement Fund guidance, local Fire and Rescue Service policies, and recognised Fire Risk Assessment methodologies such as PAS 79.

In practice, a compliant Waking Watch service involves trained personnel carrying out continuous or regularly repeated patrols of all relevant areas, ensuring that any signs of smoke or fire are identified at the earliest possible moment. Alarms or manual alert systems must be activated immediately if danger is detected, and all activity should be documented through detailed logs and regular reporting. Personnel should also be familiar with the building’s layout and evacuation procedures so they can provide clear direction and reassurance to residents in the event of an emergency.

Fire Evacuation Assistance

Fire evacuation assistance is a central element of any effective Waking Watch arrangement. When a fire or smoke incident occurs, trained personnel must react immediately, initiating the building’s alarm procedures and guiding occupants safely towards designated escape routes. Their role goes far beyond simple detection; they provide structured, calm direction that helps prevent confusion, reduce delays, and maintain a controlled evacuation process.

A competent fire marshal will move quickly through the building to notify residents, assist those who may have mobility challenges, and ensure that all floors and common areas are cleared in line with the building’s evacuation strategy. Their understanding of the property’s layout, including any areas of particular risk, enables them to direct people towards the safest and most efficient exit routes. Clear communication is essential, especially in high-density or high-rise buildings where residents may be unfamiliar with emergency procedures or where the situation can escalate rapidly.

Fire evacuation assistance also involves coordinating with attending Fire and Rescue Service teams, providing them with critical information about the origin of the alarm, any residents who may require extra support, and the progress of the evacuation. This level of structured support ensures that emergency responders can act quickly and effectively once on scene.

By ensuring a timely, organised, and supported evacuation, fire marshals play an essential role in reducing risk to residents and maintaining compliance with fire safety legislation during periods where a building’s permanent fire protection measures may not be fully operational.

Circle UK Group Waking Watch Services

Circle UK Group provides exactly that — reliable, well-supervised, and cost-controlled Waking Watch patrols tailored to the building’s specific risk profile.

Circle Waking Watch services are used across a wide range of property types where increased fire risk requires continuous on-site monitoring. High-rise residential buildings often rely on these arrangements during periods of cladding remediation or when fire safety systems are compromised. Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and mixed-use buildings may require a Waking Watch when evacuation routes are complex or when fire compartmentation issues are identified. Student accommodation and hotels also benefit from the additional oversight where high occupancy, transient populations, and unfamiliarity with escape routes can increase vulnerability. Social housing developments and commercial premises with identified fire safety defects may also need trained personnel on-site to ensure early detection of smoke or fire and to support safe evacuation while permanent systems are being upgraded or repaired.

Circle UK Group Waking Watch service includes continuous or regularly repeated fire patrols. Trained fire marshals move throughout the building—both internally and externally—monitoring for signs of smoke, fire, hazards, or system faults. They are expected to identify risks at the earliest possible stage and take immediate action to alert residents and begin evacuation procedures. Their presence provides reassurance to occupants while ensuring that legal obligations around active fire risk management are met.

Evacuation support is a critical aspect of Waking Watch operations.

When an incident occurs, trained personnel are responsible for raising the alarm, guiding residents safely out of the building, and maintaining clear, orderly movement through designated escape routes. Their familiarity with the building layout, evacuation strategy, and communication protocols ensures that people receive accurate instructions during a stressful and potentially hazardous situation. These teams also liaise with the Fire and Rescue Service upon arrival, providing essential information about the incident, areas affected, and residents who may require additional assistance.

Accurate and transparent reporting forms another essential component of Waking Watch practice. Patrols, checks, and any incidents or observations are recorded electronically to create a clear, auditable trail of activity. These digital logs provide building owners, managing agents, and responsible persons with real-time oversight of compliance and allow authorities or insurers to verify that appropriate safety measures have been maintained.

Competency and training are fundamental to effective Waking Watch provision. Personnel must be properly trained in fire detection, hazard identification, and evacuation procedures. They should also be familiar with the building’s layout, including escape routes and high-risk areas, and be capable of communicating clearly and confidently with residents during an emergency. Professional training typically includes modules in emergency communication, fire marshal or fire warden responsibilities, and the practical skills required to manage an evacuation safely. This ensures that those carrying out Waking Watch duties are equipped to respond effectively and responsibly when a fire risk arises.

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

Waking Watch Costs: What Determines the Price?

Waking Watch costs can vary depending on several factors, including the number of fire marshals required, the size and layout of the building, the frequency of patrols, and whether the service is needed during daytime hours, night-time hours, or on a full 24/7 basis. Additional safety measures, such as temporary CCTV, wireless alarms, or mobile patrol support, can also influence overall pricing.

In many cases, building owners and responsible persons explore long-term cost-reduction options through the Waking Watch Replacement Fund or by installing alternative safety technologies. These may include wireless temporary alarm systems, building-wide audio alert solutions, or integrated evacuation systems designed to remove the need for continuous on-site patrols. Where appropriate, transitioning from a staffed Waking Watch to an automated fire alarm solution can offer a more sustainable and cost-efficient approach while maintaining compliance and resident safety.

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 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.