New Hochiki system eliminates waking watch costs at residential sites

by EvacuationFeatured NewsFire DetectionProjects

Reliable fire detection replaces waking watch monitoring

Cornerstone Group has partnered with Hochiki Europe to replace waking watch systems with a fully compliant fire detection solution across three luxury apartment blocks in Gravesend, North Kent.

The new installation follows the removal of temporary waking watch arrangements that were introduced after fire risks were identified in high-rise buildings across the UK following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Hochiki Europe said the new setup combines its ESP addressable devices, Latitude control panels and Ekho hybrid wireless units to deliver a flexible, open protocol solution suitable for long-term safety compliance.

Upgrading systems to meet modern safety standards

The company explained that the combination of hard wired and wireless devices provided full coverage with minimal disruption to residents.

ESP addressable detectors were installed in common corridors, while wireless Ekho devices were fitted within apartment hallways where cabling would have been impractical.

Latitude EN54 compliant control panels manage both device types within a single system, providing consistent event reporting and enabling future integration with other building safety technologies.

According to Hochiki Europe, this approach ensures both flexibility and scalability for evolving building requirements.

Installation challenges and project delivery

Cornerstone Group said that gaining access to individual flats presented challenges during installation, as appointments often needed to be rearranged to suit residents’ schedules.

The team maintained clear communication and worked around tenant availability to complete the works efficiently while ensuring every property was properly protected.

A representative from Cornerstone Group said: “We chose Hochiki because their product reliability is proven and the support in sales was very responsive.

“If we ever needed it, technical help was always first class and helped keep the project on schedule.”

Hochiki Europe confirmed that the final system now provides consistent and high performance detection across all three residential blocks, removing the need for manual monitoring and reducing long-term costs for building owners.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

This project demonstrates how hybrid fire detection technologies can support the transition away from manual waking watch arrangements toward fully compliant systems that meet evolving safety regulations.

It provides a practical example for fire engineers, system installers and building services managers involved in high-rise residential safety upgrades.

The use of open protocol systems also highlights the value of flexibility and future scalability in addressing long-term fire risk management.

The case may inform future retrofit decisions in multi-occupancy residential settings where wiring constraints and access limitations are common.

Waking Watch reliance continues in UK high-rise fire safety

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementSafety

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.

Government funding for Waking Watch Replacement Fund extended to 2026

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsSafety

Government announces additional £21.1m for alarm system installation in England

The Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 has been extended until March 2026, with the government allocating an additional £21.1m to support the installation of common fire alarm systems.

According to a report by Inside Housing, the original £20.6m fund, launched in May 2023, has now more than doubled in value to over £41m.

The funding is aimed at replacing temporary waking watch arrangements in residential buildings in England.

All residential buildings in England with a waking watch in place are eligible, regardless of who is paying for the current watch.

The scheme will not cover any work that began before 25 May 2023.

Alarm systems to comply with BS 5839-1 Category L5 standard

The government’s guidance recommends that installed alarm systems should generally be designed in accordance with BS 5839-1 as a Category L5 system.

The fund follows National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) guidance for buildings switching from a ‘Stay Put’ to a ‘Simultaneous Evacuation’ fire strategy.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated that waking watches are “impracticable for a long-term solution and should only be a short-term measure”.

Sector voices welcome fund extension with caution on remediation delays

Benjamin Ralph, head of building and fire safety at consultancy Hollis, commented on the announcement: “The new extended fund will help the move from the costly waking watch towards more reliable and automated detection and alarm systems.

“But these systems must not be seen as an excuse to extend the time it takes to carry out cladding remediation services. This should not be seen as a low-cost alternative to protect residents; work must still be carried out in a reasonable time frame.”

Concerns remain over cost burden and use of temporary fire safety patrols

The cost of maintaining a waking watch has placed a financial strain on many residents.

Inside Housing reported that some individuals faced bills of more than £800 a month for the service.

Research highlighted that thousands of waking watches remained in place for extended periods due to limited funding and guidance on permanent safety upgrades.

The NFCC previously described waking watches as “the least reliable” and “most resource intensive” option for fire detection and response.

Government funding for Waking Watch Replacement Fund extended to 2026: Summary

The Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 has been extended by the UK government until March 2026.

An additional £21.1m has been allocated, bringing the total funding to more than £41m.

The fund supports the installation of common alarm systems in residential buildings in England with waking watch measures in place.

The recommended standard for these systems is BS 5839-1 Category L5.

Only projects that began on or after 25 May 2023 are eligible for funding.

The funding applies regardless of who pays for the existing waking watch.

The NFCC advises against long-term use of waking watches, which have been described as unreliable and expensive.

Research by Inside Housing shows waking watches remained in place for years due to funding and policy gaps.

Residents have faced high personal costs for these services, sometimes exceeding £800 per month.

The fund is administered centrally by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.