Buildings awaiting cladding remediation need interim fire safety measures. Understanding the options — waking watch, alarm systems, and enhanced management.. Interim Measures Context Thousands of UK buildings with unsafe cladding require interim fire safety measures while awaiting full remediation. These measures bridge the gap between identification of risk and completion of physical works. Waking Watch A waking watch involves dedicated fire patrol personnel: Patrolling all common areas on a continuous basis (24/7) Trained to identify fire and raise alarm immediately Initiating simultaneous evacuation of the entire building Providing reassurance to residents Cost: £5,000 £20,000 per month depending on building size Annual cost can exceed £200,000 Typically borne by leaseholders or building owner Waking Watch Relief Fund provides government funding Common Fire Alarm System (Alternative) NFCC guidance supports replacing waking watch with a common fire alarm system: Alarm system installed throughout common parts Sounders audible in every flat Linked to monitoring centre for immediate fire service notification Simultaneous evacuation strategy replacing stay put Advantages over waking watch: Lower ongoing cost (£50,000 £100,000 installation vs £200,000+ annual waking watch) More reliable than human patrol (no fatigue, no missed areas) 24/7 automated monitoring Government Waking Watch Replacement Fund available Enhanced Management Measures In addition to waking watch or alarm system: Increased fire risk assessment frequency (quarterly or monthly) Enhanced fire door inspection regime Resident engagement on fire safety procedures Additional fire extinguishers in common parts Regular communication to residents on remediation progress PEEPs for all residents with mobility or sensory impairment The Legal Position Fire risk assessment must reflect current building condition Stay put strategy typically cannot be supported with unsafe cladding Simultaneous evacuation strategy must be communicated to all residents Failure to implement adequate interim measures is an RRO offence Accountable Persons (HRBs) have additional duties under BSA 2022 For interim fire safety measures guidance, contact us. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.