What is IMAF?

When fire safety issues are identified in a residential building, interim measures may be required to protect residents while permanent remediation work is planned or completed. In some buildings, this has resulted in the introduction of a waking watch, where trained personnel continuously patrol a building to identify signs of fire and raise the alarm.

However, waking watch arrangements are intended to be temporary and can result in significant ongoing costs. The Interim Measures Alarm Fund, or IMAF, has been introduced to help eligible residential buildings in England move away from reliance on waking watch measures by funding the installation of suitable interim fire alarm systems.

Why has IMAF been introduced?

Introduced on April 1^st, 2026 and managed by Homes England, IMAF provides government funding towards the installation of interim fire alarm systems in eligible residential buildings in England.

The fund builds on previous government schemes, including the Waking Watch Relief Fund 2021 and Waking Watch Replacement Funds introduced in 2022 and 2023. From April 1^st, new applications for government funding to install interim alarms to replace the need for waking watch arrangements have had to be made through IMAF. Interim fire safety measures may be necessary when a building has identified fire safety risks that cannot immediately be resolved. Whilst a waking watch can provide an interim solution, it relies on people continuously monitoring a building and can create significant ongoing costs for residents and building owners.

IMAF is intended to reduce prolonged reliance on these temporary arrangements and support the move towards fire alarm systems where possible. Its objectives include improving resident safety, reducing the financial burden associated with waking watch measures, and supporting progress towards permanent remediation.

Importantly, installing an interim alarm does not replace the need to address the underlying fire safety issues within a building. Rather, Government guidance makes clear that interim measures are simply intended to mitigate immediate risks while longer term mitigation work continues.

Which buildings may be eligible for IMAF?

According to current government guidance, a building must be located in England, contain two or more dwellings, and be used as residential or student accommodation to qualify. It must also have appropriate technical documentation, such as a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) or Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW), identifying the need for an interim measures alarm. Hotels are not eligible.

Applications can be made by private or social-sector applicants who are a Responsible Entity, Responsible Person, or an authorised representative of a Responsible Entity. Individual residents and leaseholders cannot apply directly and are advised to contact their building owner or managing agent.

What does IMAF funding cover?

IMAF can fund the reasonable costs associated with installing a common fire alarm system. This can include:

• Fire alarm equipment, including detectors, control panels, and associated components
• Wiring and other installation materials
• Labour and associated installation work
• Commissioning and testing

Under the current guidance, the common fire alarm system should be designed to meet the recommendations of BS 5839-1 for a Category L5 system, based on the particular fire safety objectives and risks present within the building. Systems should also be designed, installed, and commissioned by appropriately qualified, third-party accredited competent persons.

IMAF does not fund the cost of the waking watch itself, ongoing maintenance and repair, removal or conversion costs, project management and administration fees, or the cost of residual fire wardens where these remain necessary after an alarm has been installed.

How can IMAF help replace a waking watch?

Where appropriate, installing a common fire alarm system can provide an alternative to relying on people to continually patrol a building and manually raise the alarm.

Government guidance specifically states that IMAF is designed to incentivise fire alarm installation as a more sustainable interim arrangement while permanent remediation or mitigation progresses. Where funding is agreed, the intention is for the alarm to be installed as quickly as possible so that the need for waking watch can be removed.

However, whether a waking watch can be removed will depend on the circumstances of the individual building and its fire safety strategy. Responsibility for a building’s fire safety remains with the Responsible Person, even when IMAF funding has been provided.

Is IMAF a permanent solution?

No. An important distinction is that IMAF funds an interim safety measure, rather than a substitute for permanent remediation.

The presence of an alarm system does not remove the responsibility to address the defects or risks that led to the change in a building’s fire safety strategy. Longer-term remediation or mitigation work is still expected to continue.

How do you apply for IMAF funding?

Applications are made through the government’s IMAF process.

Once a building’s eligibility has been confirmed, the applicant must instruct a company from the IMAF approved supplier panel to provide a quotation. The quotation is reviewed and, where approved, the applicant enters into a grant funding agreement with Homes England. Evidence is then provided following completion of the work to allow the grant funding to be paid.

Building owners and managers considering an application should therefore establish the fire safety requirements of their building and consult the latest government IMAF guidance before proceeding.