Fire Watch & Waking Watch Services: Nationwide Fire Safety Solutions by Guaranteed Security

Fire safety is more than just a legal obligation — it’s a critical part of protecting people, property, and peace of mind. Whether you’re managing a high-rise residential building, overseeing a construction site, or maintaining commercial premises, having professional fire safety support in place can make the difference between prevention and disaster.

At Guaranteed Security, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading providers of fire watch and waking watch services. With nationwide coverage, highly trained staff, and 24/7 rapid response, we help businesses and property owners stay compliant, reduce risk, and maintain a safe environment for everyone on-site.

New UK Fire Safety Regulations: Lower Cladding Height Requirements

In 2024, the UK government introduced updated building safety regulations that lower the height threshold for buildings required to meet enhanced cladding fire safety standards. Previously, strict rules around combustible cladding and interim fire safety measures only applied to high-rise buildings above 18 metres. Under the new legislation, these requirements now extend to medium-rise buildings of 11 metres and above.

This change means that thousands of additional residential buildings across England, Scotland, and Wales are now required to undergo cladding assessments and, where needed, implement safety measures such as Waking Watch or Fire Watch services. The revised regulations are part of the government’s continued response to the Grenfell Tower fire, ensuring that residents in all multi-storey buildings are protected by consistent fire safety standards, regardless of height.

For landlords, property managers, and managing agents, this update increases the urgency of achieving full fire safety compliance. Buildings that were previously outside the high-risk category may now fall under new legal requirements for 24/7 fire monitoring, fire risk assessments, and interim protection through qualified fire marshals.

At Guaranteed Security, we’re already working with clients across the UK to help them adapt to these changes — providing expert advice, professional fire marshals, and nationwide Waking Watch and Fire Watch coverage to keep properties safe and compliant with the latest cladding safety regulations.

What Is a Fire Watch Service?

A fire watch service is a proactive safety measure designed to ensure that your premises are properly protected from the threat of fire, especially during periods of increased risk. It becomes necessary whenever a building’s regular fire protection systems — such as alarms or sprinklers — are offline, being repaired, or temporarily deactivated.

For example, if your fire alarm system or sprinkler system is out of service for more than four hours, you’re legally required to implement alternative fire safety measures. This is where a professional fire watch service comes in.

Fire watch services are also crucial when “hot work” (such as welding, grinding, or cutting) is taking place, or during hazardous demolition and construction activities. These situations can significantly increase the chance of sparks, heat, or open flames leading to a fire.

By having trained fire watch officers continuously monitoring your site, you ensure that every potential hazard is spotted and addressed immediately. This not only protects lives but also prevents costly property damage and business interruptions.

What Does a Fire Watch Officer Do?

A fire watch officer — sometimes called a fire warden — is a professional whose sole responsibility is to monitor fire risks and take swift action if danger arises. Their presence ensures that fire safety best practices are maintained throughout your premises.

At Guaranteed Security, our fire watch officers are carefully selected, trained, and experienced in all aspects of fire prevention and response. They perform a range of critical duties, including:

• Conducting regular patrols across all areas of your property
• Monitoring high-risk zones, such as hot work areas or temporary installations
• Keeping fire exits and escape routes clear and accessible
• Maintaining accurate fire watch logs and incident records for compliance
• Identifying potential hazards and taking steps to eliminate them
• Raising the alarm and initiating evacuation if smoke or fire is detected

Each of our fire watch officers is fully SIA-licensed, insured, and trained in UK fire safety standards. They understand that every site is unique, so they take time to learn the layout of your building, your evacuation procedures, and any specific risks.

When your systems are temporarily offline, you can rely on our fire watch teams to provide uninterrupted, professional fire protection — ensuring compliance with UK Fire and Rescue Service regulations.

Why Fire Watch Services Are So Important

It’s easy to underestimate fire risk until something goes wrong. The reality is that even a small fire can spread rapidly, causing serious harm and devastating losses.

A fire watch service acts as your first line of defence. It’s not just a box-ticking exercise — it’s a life-saving precaution. Having a trained fire watch presence means that hazards can be detected early, alarms can be raised quickly, and evacuations can be carried out safely.

Fire watch services are especially vital for:

• Construction and refurbishment sites
• Commercial and industrial facilities
• Warehouses and manufacturing plants
• High-rise residential buildings
• Hospitals, schools, and care homes

By partnering with a professional fire safety provider like Guaranteed Security, you’re not just complying with regulations — you’re demonstrating a commitment to safety, professionalism, and accountability.

Understanding Waking Watch (Walking Watch) Services

In 2017, the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London exposed widespread fire safety problems in many high-rise buildings across the UK. The investigation revealed that several properties had unsafe or combustible cladding, making them extremely vulnerable to fire.

In response, the government and fire safety authorities introduced the Waking Watch service — also known as Walking Watch — as a temporary but vital safety measure.

The purpose of a Waking Watch is to provide constant on-site surveillance, ensuring that residents can be warned and evacuated quickly if a fire breaks out. Instead of relying on alarms alone, waking watch officers physically patrol the building day and night, staying alert to any signs of fire or smoke.

What Is a Waking Watch?

A waking watch is a fire safety solution that involves 24/7 monitoring of a building by trained fire marshals. Their primary role is to detect potential fire risks, raise the alarm if a fire occurs, and assist in the simultaneous evacuation of all residents.

According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), a waking watch is:

“An immediate solution to reduce the risk in a building and allow for continued occupation where, without them, the risk of fire may lead a Responsible Person to determine occupation is no longer appropriate or lead an FRS to serve a prohibition notice.”

In other words, a waking watch allows residents to remain safely in their homes while long-term fire safety improvements — such as cladding replacement — are carried out. It’s a human, active safety measure that brings reassurance to those living in potentially high-risk buildings.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Waking Watch Fire Marshal

The precise duties of a waking watch officer can vary depending on the type of building and the risks involved. However, all waking watch personnel are trained to maintain constant vigilance and respond instantly in an emergency.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Conducting frequent patrols throughout all floors, corridors, and communal areas
• Ensuring all fire exits and evacuation routes are unobstructed
• Identifying and reporting any fire safety hazards or maintenance issues
• Sounding alarms and alerting residents in the event of a fire
• Supervising safe, simultaneous evacuations
• Contacting the fire brigade and assisting them on arrival
• Maintaining detailed patrol logs, incident records, and safety reports
• Offering ongoing support to building management and residents

Our Waking Watch teams are composed of experienced, fully trained fire marshals who know exactly what to do in a crisis. They provide calm leadership during evacuations, ensuring that every resident is informed and assisted to safety.

The Benefits of Professional Fire Watch and Waking Watch Services

There are many benefits to choosing a professional company like Guaranteed Security for your fire watch and waking watch needs. Here are just a few reasons why our clients trust us across the UK:

• Nationwide coverage – available across England, Scotland, and Wales
• 24/7 deployment – emergency fire watch teams available within hours
• Experienced, licensed fire marshals – all staff fully trained and insured
• Tailored solutions – every site gets a custom fire safety plan
• Full compliance with NFCC and UK Fire Safety Regulations
• Proven track record protecting residential, commercial, and construction sites

We understand that every building and every client is different. That’s why we take a tailored approach, assessing your risks and creating a plan that offers complete coverage — without unnecessary cost or complexity.

Protecting Lives and Property Nationwide

At Guaranteed Security, our commitment to fire safety goes beyond compliance — it’s about protecting lives, livelihoods, and communities.

We know that when you call us, you’re trusting us with something precious. That’s why we respond quickly, act professionally, and always deliver the highest standard of service.

From temporary fire watch cover during maintenance work to long-term waking watch protection in high-rise buildings, we’ve got you covered. Our mission is to make sure that no matter where you are in the UK, your property is safe, your people are protected, and your fire safety obligations are fully met.

Get a Free Fire Safety Consultation

If your property requires fire watch or waking watch services, don’t wait until it’s too late. Let Guaranteed Security help you put effective, professional protection in place.

Call us today or Request a free fire safety consultation online.

Our team will assess your needs, provide expert advice, and deliver a tailored solution to keep your building compliant, secure, and protected — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.