Who Can Apply for Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF) and How Does It Work?

The Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF) provides government funding towards the cost of installing common fire alarm systems in eligible residential buildings in England where an interim measures alarm is required.

Managed and delivered by Homes England, the fund was introduced in April 2026 to reduce reliance on waking watch arrangements and provide a more sustainable interim fire safety solution while longer-term remediation or mitigation works are completed.

For building owners, Responsible Persons and Responsible Entities, understanding whether a building qualifies, as well as having the right technical evidence available is an important first step.

What is the Interim Measures Alarm Fund?

The Interim Measures Alarm Fund is a £62.7 million government fund designed to support the installation of common fire alarm systems in residential buildings with identified fire safety risks.

It replaced the Waking Watch Replacement Fund for new applications from 1 April 2026 and is intended to support buildings requiring interim fire safety measures while permanent remediation or mitigation works progress.

The fund can cover reasonable capital costs associated with installing a common fire alarm system, including equipment, wiring, detectors, panels, installation labour, commissioning and testing.

Importantly, an existing waking watch is not a prerequisite for applying to the fund.

Who Can Apply for the Interim Measures Alarm Fund?

Both private and social sector applicants can apply for IMAF funding.

To apply, you must be a Responsible Entity, Responsible Person or an authorised representative acting on behalf of a Responsible Entity.

The building itself must:

• Be located in England
• Contain two or more dwellings
• Be residential or student accommodation
• Have appropriate technical documentation identifying the need for an interim measures alarm

Leaseholders and residents cannot apply directly and should instead contact their building owner or managing agent.

Hotels are not eligible for funding through the scheme.

Buildings that have already received funding, or have a funding application pending, through the IMAF or the Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2022 or 2023 are also excluded.

Does a Building Need to Have a Waking Watch to Apply?

No. A building does not need to have an existing waking watch in place to apply for IMAF funding.

The key requirement is evidence demonstrating the need for an interim measures alarm.

This is an important distinction for Responsible Persons and building owners assessing their options. The purpose of the fund is to support appropriate interim fire safety measures while underlying fire safety risks are being addressed – not simply to reimburse buildings already paying for a waking watch.

What Evidence Do You Need to Apply for IMAF Funding?

Applicants need to provide information about the building, the Responsible Entity and other relevant organisations involved in its ownership and management.

Crucially, Homes England also requires supporting evidence demonstrating the need for an interim alarm.

This could include a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA), Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW), communication from a Competent Person or notices and correspondence from a local regulator such as a local authority or Fire and Rescue Service.

Where somebody is applying on behalf of the Responsible Entity, evidence confirming their authority to do so will also be required.

Applicants should therefore establish the technical basis for requiring an interim alarm before progressing through the application process.

How Do You Apply for the Interim Measures Alarm Fund?

Applications are made through the online IMAF application form provided by Homes England.

The initial form asks for information about the building and the organisations responsible for it. Homes England states that the application should take around 30 minutes to complete and must be completed in one session, as progress cannot currently be saved.

Following submission, applicants will need to provide the supporting technical evidence demonstrating why an interim measures alarm is required.

Homes England then undertakes legal, technical and project-related due diligence. This can include checks on building ownership and eligibility, the Responsible Entity, company directors and signatories, alongside a review of the technical information supplied.

What Happens if Your Building is Eligible?

Once eligibility has been confirmed, the applicant can obtain a quotation for the required works.

However, there is an important requirement: only companies appointed to the Homes England IMAF supplier panel can provide quotations and undertake works funded through the scheme.

The selected supplier will need access to the relevant documentation and the building to develop a comprehensive scope and quotation.

The quote and proposed scope are then submitted to Homes England for review. Homes England will assess whether the proposed works meet the programme requirements and whether the costs are reasonable and consistent with programme benchmarks.

Once the costs and scope have been agreed, Homes England will issue a Grant Funding Agreement.

What Happens Once Funding is Approved?

The Grant Funding Agreement must be signed by the Responsible Entity before the works are formally instructed.

The applicant will then need to provide Homes England with the agreed specification, signed contract and anticipated start and completion dates.

Any relevant regulatory approvals must also be identified, including Building Safety Regulator approvals where applicable.

Once installed, the alarm must be appropriately commissioned and the required completion evidence submitted to Homes England.

This includes a commissioning certificate, updated Fire Risk Assessment reflecting the alarm installation, final invoice, evidence of communication with residents and leaseholders and applicable regulatory sign-off.

Grant funding is paid following completion of the works and approval of the required evidence.

What Does the Interim Measures Alarm Fund Pay For?

The fund is intended to cover reasonable capital costs associated with installing an eligible common fire alarm system.

This can include the alarm equipment itself, detectors, panels, wiring, associated installation labour, commissioning and testing.

There are also costs that the fund does not cover. These include waking watch costs, project management and administration fees, ongoing maintenance and repair, alarm removal or conversion, residual fire wardens and retrospective costs for alarm systems that have already been installed.

Building owners considering an application should therefore understand which elements of the proposed project are eligible before works begin.

Is IMAF Funding a Replacement for Remediation?

No. An alarm installed through IMAF is an interim measure and does not remove the requirement to address the underlying fire safety risks within the building.

Homes England makes clear that longer-term remediation or mitigation should continue. The alarm provides an interim solution designed to improve resident safety and, where appropriate, reduce reliance on waking watch arrangements while that work progresses.

Responsibility for the fire safety of the building also remains with the Responsible Person.

How Can Ventro Help with the Interim Measures Alarm Fund?

Navigating the IMAF process involves more than selecting and installing an alarm. Applicants need to understand the risks within their building, establish the technical requirements of the proposed system and ensure the eventual installation meets the required standards.

Ventro can support clients through the technical and delivery requirements associated with interim fire alarm measures, from reviewing existing fire safety information and understanding the requirements of the building through to system design, installation, commissioning and the evidence required following completion.

For organisations responsible for multiple residential buildings, we can also help assess portfolios to understand where interim measures may be required and support the prioritisation of buildings requiring further investigation or action.

Where funding is being sought through IMAF, works funded by the scheme must follow the Homes England process and be delivered through an approved IMAF supplier.

Ventro Voice

Interim measures have an important role in protecting residents, but they should never become the long-term solution to an unresolved building safety risk.

The IMAF provides building owners with an opportunity to move away from potentially costly waking watch arrangements and introduce an effective common alarm system while permanent remediation progresses.

The important part is understanding the risk first. Every building is different, and the appropriate solution needs to be informed by competent assessment, the existing fire strategy and the specific characteristics of the building.

At Ventro, our focus is on helping clients understand what needs to happen next and delivering the technical fire safety solutions required to keep residents safe while longer-term building safety programmes progress.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Interim Measures Alarm Fund

Who is eligible for IMAF funding?

Private and social sector Responsible Entities, Responsible Persons and authorised representatives can apply for eligible residential and student accommodation buildings in England containing two or more dwellings.

Do you need a waking watch to apply for IMAF?

No. Having an existing waking watch is not a prerequisite. Applicants need appropriate technical evidence identifying the need for an interim measures alarm.

Can leaseholders apply directly?

No. Individual residents and leaseholders cannot apply directly. They should contact their building owner or managing agent.

What evidence is required for an IMAF application?

Applicants need supporting evidence demonstrating the need for an interim alarm. This could include an FRA, FRAEW, communication from a Competent Person or correspondence or notices from a relevant regulator.

Can I choose any fire alarm contractor?

No. Once eligibility has been confirmed, quotations and funded works must be provided by a company on the Homes England IMAF supplier panel.

Does IMAF pay for waking watch costs?

No. IMAF does not fund waking watch costs. Its purpose is to fund eligible capital costs associated with installing an appropriate common fire alarm system.

Can I claim for a fire alarm that has already been installed?

No. IMAF does not provide retrospective funding for alarm systems that have already been installed.

Does receiving IMAF funding remove the need for remediation?

No. The alarm is an interim fire safety measure. Any necessary permanent remediation or mitigation of the underlying building safety risks must continue.

Need Support with Interim Fire Safety Measures?

If your organisation is responsible for residential buildings requiring interim fire safety measures, Ventro can help you understand the technical requirements and determine the appropriate next steps.

From assessment and system requirements through to installation, commissioning and ongoing fire safety compliance, our teams support building owners and Responsible Persons in managing fire safety across individual buildings and complex residential portfolios.

Speak to Ventro about your building's interim fire safety requirements.