Waking Watch demand highest in London
Demand for Waking Watch services in London is over 150 percent higher than in any other UK region, according to new analysis by ProFM Group.
The security and facilities company reported that this reflects the concentration of high-rise buildings in the capital, where 11.7 percent of homes are in high-rise blocks compared to 2.7 percent across England.
The firm said that while these services offer a temporary safeguard, they should not be seen as a permanent replacement for integrated fire safety systems.
Emily Macaulay, Client Services Director at ProFM Group, said: “Waking Watch services are the plaster, not the cure.”
Macaulay explained that while human-led monitoring is useful when alarm systems are absent or out of action, it is intended as a stopgap during remediation works or system upgrades.
Waking Watch services still common eight years after Grenfell
ProFM Group reported that human patrols remain a key feature in many buildings still awaiting installation of permanent fire safety measures.
According to the company, Waking Watch involves trained operatives maintaining constant patrols to detect fire signs and initiate evacuations.
The National Fire Chiefs Council and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities continue to recommend the installation of automatic fire detection systems in high-risk buildings.
However, ProFM Group said that installation timelines, building-specific challenges and resident concerns mean that some buildings continue to rely on manual monitoring.
Macaulay said: “Permanent systems are always going to be preferable.
“They work automatically, cover the whole building and don’t rely on someone being there to spot the danger.
“But getting them installed isn’t always quick – and that’s where [Waking Watch services] come in, providing eyes, ears and immediate response until those systems are in place.”
Guidance issued for responsible service provision
ProFM Group said it has identified a set of operational standards to ensure Waking Watch services are delivered to high standards while remaining transparent about their temporary role.
The company advises maintaining consistency in personnel to support familiarity and site knowledge.
It added that guards should be fully briefed on building-specific evacuation procedures and reporting protocols.
The company said that any hazards such as blocked exits or fire door breaches must be reported immediately.
It also highlighted the importance of communication with residents to avoid misunderstanding about the scope and limits of Waking Watch arrangements.
Macaulay said: “They need to know what Waking Watch is, and what it isn’t.”
Safety systems installation still lagging in legacy buildings
ProFM Group stated that while national fire incident figures have decreased over the past decade, the upgrade of fire detection systems in many buildings has not kept pace.
According to UK Government data, fire incidents in buildings fell from 46,817 in 2014 to 38,275 in 2024.
Despite this, Macaulay noted that legacy housing stock still presents challenges for alarm and evacuation system upgrades.
The company emphasised that temporary measures should never become long-term substitutes for engineered safety infrastructure.
Macaulay said: “The least we can do is make sure the change [Grenfell] triggered continues.
“That means permanent safety systems, not just stopgaps, and residents empowered to ask the right questions.”
Human monitoring still widely used during safety system delays
ProFM Group reiterated that the Waking Watch model remains active because of delays in implementing permanent solutions in affected properties.
It noted that public trust in human-led patrols has varied, with some residents expressing concern about consistency and oversight.
The company explained that high-integrity patrols must include real-time incident logging and escalation.
Macaulay added: “They play a crucial role when alarm systems are lacking or out of action, but they’re a temporary safeguard – designed to fill the gap between risk identification and permanent solutions like integrated alarms and evacuation systems.”
Waking Watch reliance continues in UK high-rise fire safety: Summary
ProFM Group reported that Waking Watch demand is 157 percent higher in London than in other UK regions.
The company said this is due to the higher proportion of high-rise homes in the capital.
Emily Macaulay, Client Services Director at ProFM Group, said Waking Watch is a temporary safeguard.
ProFM Group said the service should be phased out when permanent systems are installed.
The company issued five key practices to maintain quality in human-led fire watch services.
It recommended stable patrol teams, building-specific integration, real-time reporting and resident communication.
ProFM Group said UK building fire incidents dropped from 46,817 in 2014 to 38,275 in 2024.
The firm stated that older buildings face challenges in installing automated alarm systems.
ProFM Group emphasised that Waking Watch must not replace engineered safety infrastructure.
Macaulay said that residents should be informed and able to assess fire safety measures.