Waking watch is a fire safety system where suitably trained staff continually patrol the floors and perimeter of a building to maintain fire safety for its occupants.
The aim of a waking watch is to ensure there is sufficient warning in the event of a fire to support evacuation.
When would my building need waking watch?
A waking watch is required when the presence of dangerous cladding or other fire safety issues changes the evacuation policy of a building from ‘stay put’ to ‘simultaneous evacuation’.
This change requires fire marshals to patrol the building 24 hours a day looking for signs of fire.
Who pays for it?
Protections for qualifying leaseholders set out in the Building Safety Act 2022 may cap the costs of waking watch, or prevent them from being passed on to you via the service charge.
The cost of waking watch falls under the same protections as other non-cladding repair costs.
More information you might find useful
- What are the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act 2022?
- Do I qualify for leaseholder protections?
- Leaseholder protections on building safety costs in England: frequently asked questions: GOV.UK
- Building safety leaseholder protections: guidance for leaseholders: GOV.UK
- LEASE advice on fire safety
