28 August 2026 Project Outline
The estate comprises six residential apartment blocks, two of which are over 11 metres in height. Following the identification of building safety defects – including issues with cavity fire stopping and elements of the external wall system – a waking watch was implemented across the affected buildings while a long-term fire safety solution was developed.
Project Challenges
A waking watch is a necessary but costly interim measure, and every week it runs is a cost passed on to leaseholders. FirstPort’s priority was to get a compliant alarm system installed as quickly as possible, so the waking watch could be stood down without compromising the safety of residents while works were completed. As with any occupied residential estate, resident access, communication and disruption were as much a part of the challenge as the alarm design itself.
Howler Solutions
We designed a bespoke alarm system for the estate, managed every resident access appointment ourselves, carried out the installation and issued the required certification in what the client described as record time. Taking ownership of resident communications and access arrangements removed what is often the most time-consuming part of delivering a project like this.
Our online project portal gave FirstPort full visibility of appointments, completed installations and overall progress throughout, without the need to chase for updates. Because the system is largely wireless, cabling and disruption to residents were kept to a minimum, and because it does not rely on battery-powered devices, it gives lasting confidence in the system’s reliability.
Client Testimonial
“Our estate comprises six residential apartment blocks, two of which are over 11 metres in height. Following the identification of building safety defects, including issues with cavity fire stopping and elements of the external wall system, we were required to implement a waking watch across the affected buildings. As many managing agents will appreciate, this was a necessary but extremely costly interim measure, placing a significant financial burden on our leaseholders while a long-term fire safety solution was developed.
Our priority was to find a compliant alarm system that could be installed quickly, enabling us to remove the waking watch as soon as possible whilst maintaining the safety of residents. Howler provided exactly that solution.
From the outset, Howler managed the project professionally and efficiently. They designed a bespoke alarm system suitable for the estate, coordinated all resident access appointments, carried out the installation works and issued the required certification in what I would genuinely describe as record time. By taking ownership of resident communications and access arrangements, they removed what is often the most challenging and time-consuming aspect of delivering these projects.
Throughout the installation, Howler’s online project portal gave me complete visibility of progress across the estate. Being able to monitor appointments, completed installations and overall project status in real time meant I was always informed without having to chase for updates.
The alarm solution itself was particularly well suited to an occupied residential environment. The primarily wireless system significantly reduced the amount of cabling required, minimising disruption to residents and avoiding many of the practical issues associated with traditional installations. Importantly, the infrastructure is not reliant on battery-powered devices, providing additional confidence in the long-term reliability and resilience of the system.
Most importantly, the speed and quality of the installation enabled us to stand down the waking watch much sooner than anticipated. This delivered substantial cost savings for leaseholders and removed a major source of concern for residents, whilst ensuring that appropriate fire safety measures remained in place.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Howler to other managing agents facing similar building safety challenges. Their expertise, project management, and ability to deliver at pace made a significant difference for both our residents and the wider estate.”
Bret Gavin, Property Manager, FirstPort
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