New Welsh grant will pay for fire alarms to cut waking watch costs

Leaseholders in eligible Welsh buildings will be able to claim public funding for interim fire alarm systems from 1 October, under a new scheme intended to reduce or remove the need for costly waking watches.

The Welsh Government says the Wales Interim Measures Alarm Grant will meet the cost of appropriate alarm systems needed while permanent building safety work is carried out. Some leaseholders who have already paid to install an interim alarm may also be able to apply for reimbursement.

Why the grant matters

A waking watch places staff in a building around the clock to raise the alarm if fire is detected. The government says those arrangements and upgraded alarm systems have left some leaseholders paying hundreds of pounds each month while remediation is under way.

Installing an appropriate alarm can support a simultaneous evacuation policy without keeping a waking watch in place. The announcement does not state the total size of the grant fund, a maximum award per building or the full eligibility rules.

Who can apply

The scheme is for eligible buildings within the Welsh Building Safety Fund programme. The government says leaseholders will be able to access funding, but has not yet published the application route or detailed criteria in the announcement. Those details will need to be checked when the scheme opens on 1 October.

Wider building safety timetable

Housing minister Siân Gwenllian said she expects to lay regulations under the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 before the Christmas recess. The government intends further leaseholder protections relating to remediation to take effect in 2027.

The Building Safety Remediation Programme covers life-critical fire safety defects in residential buildings of at least 11 metres. Gwenllian said she had met developers signed to the government's remediation contract and warned that their obligations must be met.