Waking Watch case study
Encore Group needed continuous waking watch across six residential blocks in Westminster after the building’s Fire Risk Assessment identified an interim need for patrols. We had officers on site within four hours and ran two per shift, 24 hours a day, for eight months until permanent fire safety measures were confirmed.
Encore Group needed continuous waking watch cover at New Palace Place, a six-block residential development in Westminster. Each block rises to six floors plus a basement, and a 24-hour concierge team was already on site.
The building’s Fire Risk Assessment had identified an interim need for continuous patrols under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to run until permanent fire safety measures were confirmed in place.
We had a team on site within four hours of the initial enquiry.
Two fire-trained waking watch officers covered all six blocks per shift, 24 hours a day, for the full eight months, working alongside the development’s concierge team. Officer numbers came from the site’s Fire Risk Assessment rather than a fixed ratio, following the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Simultaneous Evacuation Guidance, which requires staffing to be assessed building by building.
Every officer was trained in fire awareness and evacuation, uniformed and identifiable on site, and carried a two-way radio to stay in contact with the rest of the team, the concierge desk and the fire and rescue service.
London Fire Brigade visited several times during the contract to check the team’s training and compliance. Every visit passed.
Our officers were called on to evacuate the building during the contract. The team followed the agreed evacuation procedure and every resident was brought out safely. London Fire Brigade praised how quickly they reacted.
The watch stood down on 15 December 2025, just under eight months after it started, once permanent fire safety measures were confirmed in place. NFCC guidance is clear that a waking watch is a short-term measure, and this one ended as soon as it was no longer needed.
The service
This engagement was delivered by our waking watch team. Read how the service works, what it covers and how it is staffed on our waking watch and fire safety services page.
The area
We work across London and the surrounding region. See the sites, sectors and services we cover in London.
Related work
Waking Watch
Pageant Steps needed waking watch across three riverside blocks on Rotherhithe Street while the fire alarm system was upgraded throughout. One block, Calder Court, is a Higher-Risk Building under the Building Safety Act 2022. We mobilised within four hours and covered the upgrade from March to…
Waking Watch
Encore Group needed continuous waking watch across Bishop’s Court, a three-block residential development in Spitalfields, after its Fire Risk Assessment identified an interim need for patrols. We have provided one fire-trained officer per shift, 24 hours a day, since December 2025, on a contract planned to…
Similar requirement?
We’ll give you a candid view on whether and how we can help — within one working day.