In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and the following Inquiry, the Government made big changes to fire safety standards. Additionally, they committed to accelerating remediation of high risk residential buildings in England. At the start of April, we got details of new funding as part of this. The money will help to cover the cost of installing alarms in different properties. We want to have a closer look here, then you can speak to us if you want to discuss fire alarm installations in Stokesley or other parts of the North East.
Funding
One of the big things the Government is doing is providing funding to replace waking watch in high risk buildings. This is a temporary measure that requires trained staff to patrol properties around the clock. It’s their job to monitor for fire and take action if there is a one. However, waking watch can be costly, especially for leaseholders, and is generally less reliable than automated detection and alarm systems.
There was a previous scheme for this, known as the Waking Watch Replacement Fund (WWRF). Launching in 2021, it gave more than £71m in grants for the installation of alarm systems. Thanks to the funding, there are now reliable alarms in 801 more residential buildings in England. Leaseholders in these properties save around £273 per month on average.
The WWRF scheme finished on 31st March 2026. As a result, the Government was working on a successor. We now have details about this. The new Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF) will provide £62.7m as an incentive to install alarms in high risk properties that are currently awaiting remediation work. Speak to us about fire alarm installations in Stokesley and other parts of the region.
The new fund
Applications for the IMAF opened on 1st April 2026. The new long term scheme is from Homes England, part of the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS). It will be available until 2035, running alongside the Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP).
To apply for funding with the IMAF, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria. Firstly, the fund is only for residential or student accommodation in England. Most importantly, it must currently be using a waking watch fire protection service. Thirdly, the building must have a simultaneous evacuation strategy if there is a fire. Plus, there needs to be a risk assessment or assessment of the external walls to identify that an interim alarm is necessary.
It’s also important to note what you can use the funding for. Significantly, you can use it to cover the cost of the alarm system itself (including panels and wiring), installation, and testing. However, you can’t use it for maintenance or repairs, admin fees, or any personnel you may still need after installing the system, such as fire wardens.
The best support with fire alarm installations in Stokesley
ABC Fire Safety & Security appreciates how vital fire alarms are in various properties. They are a key life saving system, providing early warnings whenever there is a fire. This can allow occupants to react quickly and reduces the risk of injuries and fatalities.
We have a wealth of experience, commissioning and installing systems for various homes, offices, warehouses, and other commercial buildings. We provide high quality solutions, excelling at fire alarm installations in Stokesley and other local areas. So, if you need a reliable system for different properties, speak to us.
