What is a Waking Watch?

Despite being the most cost-effective provider on the market, we pride ourselves on our hands-on approach and passion to provide a high quality service tailored to our clients’ needs. We provide the following to complement our service:

A Waking Watch is effectively 24-hour surveillance/monitoring of any multiple occupancy buildings. Fire marshals will monitor and patrol the building(s) for signs or risks of a fire or fire hazards. These patrols are conducted at regular intervals throughout a 24hr period with real-time reports being generated at the time of patrol. Clients can request these reports on an hourly, daily or weekly basis with images available where requested. The role of a waking watch will be dependent on what the client requires, however general responsibilities include:

• • Alerting the Fire Service should a fire be detected
• • Manage and eradicate any potential fire risks
• • Patrol premises at regular intervals remaining vigilant throughout
• • In the event of a fire, alert all residents & begin evacuation proceedings
• • Assist and liaise with the Fire Service where necessary

Does my residential building need a Waking Watch?

If your residential building is undergoing fire safety works, such as replacing flammable cladding or upgrading the fire alarm system, then it will need some form of fire detection system. This can be either a common fire alarm system or a Waking Watch. The National Fire Chief Councils guidance suggests that whilst common fire alarms are deemed ‘adequate’ by most local councils, a Waking Watch should be used alongside this measure for added safety. Common fire alarms would also need to be placed inside each resident’s flat, making a Waking Watch a simpler and more effective solution for building owners whilst work is undertaken to fix the fire safety issues. Additionally, the change in evacuation strategy for multi-occupancy developments, from Stay-Put to Simultaneous Evacuation, has led to the requirement for a Waking Watch in residential properties that are undergoing work to amend the fire safety issues.

How do we arrange a Waking Watch service?

Assessment
Once it has been decided that a waking watch is an appropriate response, based on the building’s specific needs, the needs of the residents, landlord, and what the staff would be required to do, we then determine the quantity of staff required and the staff training requirements in order to safeguard residents. Sharing the experience we have gained, we collectively consider the fire safety measures. We then build a Waking Watch that enables us to mitigate risk efficiently and effectively.

What are the benefits of a Waking Watch?

One of the main benefits of a Waking Watch is how people respond better to instructions and authority in emergency situations. For example, it is easy for people to ignore fire alarms, especially when they become ‘frequent and annoying’. A 24-hour Waking Watch patrol removes this issue as fire marshals are there purposely to support an evacuation if a fire is detected.

Waking Watch patrols is the complete peace of mind it gives to both building owners and the residents. As vigilant fire marshals patrol the interior and exterior 24 hours a day searching for fire risks and fire hazards, a Waking Watch ensures high levels of fire risk mitigation and fire safety.

What ongoing fire prevention service is provided?

• Reviewing and contributing to the enhancement of the building general fire precautions

• Establishing and familiarising staff with all Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP) for individual residents who may not be able to reach an ultimate place of safety unaided or within a satisfactory period in the event of any emergency

• Establishing continuous real-time fault reporting processes to designated maintenance teams as issues arise

• Delivering consistent, active resident engagement regarding any concerns they have and enabling rapid reporting to relevant departments and housing staff

• Ensuring regular staff governance and compliance

• Delivering accountable and tracked patrols of common areas and all floors

• Identifying and removing any combustible items that may enable ignition, or may contribute to fire spread in the event of a fire

• Ensuring all routes are free from obstructions that may hinder escape and Fire Rescue Service access

• Running regular simultaneous evacuation tests to confirm that the time from the detection of the fire, to alerting all residents, does not exceed the required time.

• Working with the FRS during scheduled review and implementing any required amendments to the delivery

• Ensuring fire escape routes are free from obstructions and are well maintained

• Conducting regular and random ‘silent alarm’ drills to ensure our marshals are always prepared and to identify any potential process issues

• Onsite inductions to familiarise staff with the site-specific assignment instructions

• Continual risk assessments

What protocols/ contingencies are in place to ensure the safety of residents?

With such a serious role at hand, we ensure that our fire marshals are trained to industry-leading standards. With an in-house training center and 5 ex-firefighters leading Prime Fire Management’s team, we can train our staff in all areas of fire safety and prevention.

Human error could have grave consequences, so we place technology at the heart of everything. Once we have been in contact with the client and reviewed their assessment and recommendations, we place strategic NFC scan points at the main hazard points around the property, which are then scanned by the fire marshals on each patrol. This protocol ensures hazard points are continually checked and no corners are cut, as each individual tap generates a unique encrypted code appended to a URL to provide proof of presence. These are then compiled into a report and sent to the client’s point of contact.

Additionally, staff is supported by a UK-wide operational network and a 24/7 control room. Should issues arise. Welfare checks also play a key role and staff are contacted by our control to provide proof of presence and to report any issues.

Fire marshals are also provided with site-specific assignment instructions which detail the issues with the property and the evacuation process which they always carry. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP) are also included if the property contains any residents that require additional help.

What happens in the event of a fire?

A fire marshal will check the fire alarm panel to locate the source of the alarm. Communicating via radio, the marshals will convene at the location of the sounding alarm and search for signs of fire. If a fire is detected, the fire marshals will alert the Fire and Rescue Service and will proceed to evacuate the building, following the NFCC’s Simultaneous Evacuation guidelines. Marshals are equipped with torches, whistles, and air horns to cover all eventualities and ensure the building(s) are evacuated safely and effectively.

How do you ensure your staff is trained to the highest standards?

To ensure our staff is trained to the highest industry standards, we use a combination of in-house training sessions, which take place at Pro Sentry’s training center, and a wide variety of e-learning courses, which covers everything from fire safety to security, and customer service, to ensure our staff has the capabilities to work in all the environments and industries we provide services for.