The UK Government has extended the Waking Watch Replacement Fund, adding £21.11 million to the pot and prolonging the application window to March 2026.
First launched in 2023 as a scheme for leaseholders, the fund helps cover the costs of replacing the expensive, error-prone practice of fire patrols with modern fire alarm systems. The latest move broadens eligibility to include all residential buildings with waking watch, regardless of who bears the cost
Here, we explore the significance of waking watch, the benefits of replacement, and how to apply for funding.
- What is Waking Watch?
- What is the Waking Watch Replacement Fund?
- What are the benefits of replacing Waking Watch?
Waking watch involves fire wardens or security personnel patrolling the premises 24/7 to detect signs of fire, and alert residents. It is intended to serve as a temporary safety measure until permanent fire solutions, such as replacing dangerous cladding, are put in place.
In April 2025, the Government extended the scheme, as part of its Remediation Acceleration Plan. It committed up to £21.11 million in additional funding and prolonged the application period until March 2026.
It is the latest in a string of similar Government schemes. In 2020, the now defunct Waking Watch Relief Fund focused on high-rise residential buildings over 17.7m with waking watches due to unsafe cladding. The £27 million Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2022 expanded eligibility to include residential buildings of any height affected by any fire safety defect.
With a total value now standing at £41.71 million, the extended 2023 fund has broadened eligibility again. All residential buildings in England with a waking watch in place, regardless of who bears the cost – whether that be leaseholders, local authorities, housing associations, or private landlords – can apply.
The second, and arguably more important, benefit is enhanced safety. Waking watch is inherently prone to human error. Modern simultaneous evacuation systems, however, remove that margin of error. Heat sensors mounted at the windows of individual flats detect the first signs of fire and sound the alarm, giving residents the opportunity to evacuate the premises before a blaze takes hold.
What should I look for in a simultaneous evacuation system?
The key considerations are reliability, ease of installation, and maintenance. Kentec’s K-Mesh, for example, is ideal due to its quick, non-invasive installation and cost-effectiveness. Its self-healing mesh network ensures reliable communication, automatically rerouting signals if disrupted, and the system also boasts a long battery life of up to ten years, reducing maintenance costs and adding peace of mind.
What is BS8269 and is it relevant here?
BS 8629:2019 is a British Standard on the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats.
Primarily, it relates to new-build developments. However, the Waking Watch Replacement Fund’s guidance recommends applicants consider installing alarm systems capable of being upgraded to BS 8629 specifications – such as K-Mesh.
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