Wales Interim Measures Alarm Grant (WIMAG): applicant guidance

The Wales Interim Measures Alarm Grant (WIMAG) has been established to support the installation of common fire alarm systems as an interim fire safety measure while permanent solutions are delivered. 

The grant aims to:

• Support residents to remain safely in their homes.
• Reduce reliance on waking watch arrangements where appropriate.
• Reduce the cost of interim fire safety measures.
• Reduce the need for buildings to be decanted
• Support progress towards permanent remediation and mitigation works.

This grant supports interim measures only. Applicants must continue to progress permanent remediation or mitigation works alongside any interim alarm installation. 

The following organisations and individuals are eligible to apply for funding under this programme:

• Responsible entities
• Registered social landlords (RSLs)
• Local authorities
• Managing agents authorised to act on behalf of a building owner or responsible entity.
• Other authorised representatives acting on behalf of a Responsible Entity. 

You must provide evidence that you are authorised to act on behalf of the building owner or responsible entity where relevant. 

Leaseholders, tenants, and residents cannot apply directly for the grant. They should contact their responsible entity or, where applicable, local authority landlord or registered social landlord. 

For a building to be considered eligible for funding, it must: 

• Be located in Wales
• Be 11 meters or above in height
• Be multi occupied, and
• Contain residential accommodation

The building must also:

Have a current Fire Risk Assessment (FRA), Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW), or equivalent fire safety assessment demonstrating the need for interim fire safety measures, and/or;

Have received notices from a local regulator, such as local authority or a fire and rescue service, which could include enforcement or prohibition notices.

We may ask for additional information to confirm eligibility. 

Before applying, you should read the Wales Interim Measures Alarm Grant (WIMAG) guidance and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and ensure that you:

• Are authorised to apply.
• Have obtained appropriate fire safety advice supporting the installation of an interim fire alarm system.
• Have the relevant fire safety assessments and supporting documents.
• Have obtained a minimum of three quotations where possible for the proposed works.
• Can provide information about any interim measures currently in place.
• Can demonstrate that remediation or mitigation works are being progressed.
• Can provide expected timescales for installation works.
• Can confirm that no other funding has already been received or is in the process of being applied for relating to the building. 

Applications may be delayed if the required information is not provided. 

When applying, you must include all required information and supporting documentation to demonstrate the need for an interim measures alarm. Incomplete applications may result in delays and may not be assessed until all necessary information has been provided.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement email confirming receipt. The Welsh Government may contact you to request additional information or evidence where this is required to assess the application.

Please note that acknowledgement of receipt does not guarantee that funding will be awarded. All applications will be assessed against the grant's eligibility criteria.

Application form

Apply for funding

Applications and supporting evidence must be submitted electronically by email to: WIMAG@gov.wales 

As part of the application process, you be required to provide information and evidence which may include:

Applicant details

Applications must include contact and organisation details, evidence of authority to act, and details of the responsible person or responsible entity.

Building details

Building details must include building address, building height, number of residential units, and occupancy details. 

Fire safety information

Fire safety information supporting evidence that identifies the need for an interim alarm. 

This could be one of more of the following: 

• Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) in line with the code of practice BS 9792:2025
• Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) that follows and meets the PAS 9980:2022 methodology
• notices from a local regulator, such as local authority or a fire and rescue service, which could include enforcement or prohibition notices.
• any additional evidence supporting the requirement for an interim alarm system. 

Interim measures

Where interim measures are currently in place, you must provide details of existing fire safety measures and the recommendations, including details of any waking watch arrangements.

Financial information

Applications for grant funding must be supported by appropriate financial evidence, including quotations for the proposed works, procurement information, a detailed breakdown of costs, VAT information, proof of payment, and details of any other public funding received or sought in relation to the building.

The Welsh Government recognise that some building owners and responsible persons may already have installed common fire alarm systems in response to urgent fire safety risks. 

Retrospective applications for interim measures alarm installations commenced or completed on or after 1 September 2021 and on or before 30 September 2026 will be considered where all eligibility requirements are met.

Where a proactive application cannot be submitted prior to alarm installation, retrospective applications for interim measure alarm installations undertaken on or after 1 October 2026 will be considered in exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis where installation was required as a result of an emergency enforcement notice or prohibition notice.

When you submit your application, Welsh Government carry out legal and due diligence checks on the information you have provided.

By submitting your application, you are agreeing that these checks can be done as set out in the IMAF section of the Welsh Government privacy notice.

These checks will include but are not limited to:

• checks on the ownership structure and eligibility of the building. 
• checks on the directors of the Responsible Entity and signatories in your application. 
• a review of technical information you have supplied and any additional assurance we have sought.
• whether your costs for eligible works are reasonable and in line with benchmarks
• the scope of the work is in line with the programme requirements. 
• your forecast start on site and completion dates.

We will make sure you are aware of any changes and let you know when our review is complete. If costs are agreed, we will let you know and provide a Grant Award Letter (GAL) which must be signed by the Responsible Entity 

The Grant Award Letter (GAL) is the legal contract between Welsh Government and the Responsible Entity.

The GAL is a non-negotiable document. Applicants wishing to receive publicly funded grant monies, to assist with installation of an interim measures alarm, must agree and adhere to its terms.

Where a representative is appointed to lead the application and, in some cases, manage the funding, the Responsible Entity must still sign the GAL.

Applicants should be aware that the commitments given in the GAL apply to the Responsible Entity, Registered Social Landlord or Local Authority Landlord exclusively. If they choose to appoint a representative to act on their behalf, they must make sure that the representative is aware of, and will meet, Welsh Government’s requirements — as expressed in this guidance and in the GAL.

The signatories for the grant funding agreement should be directors, or other individuals authorised to sign legal agreements for your organisation. 

As a condition of grant, recipients must inform all affected leaseholders and residents of the funding award within 20 working days of acceptance of the Grant Award Letter. Where leaseholders have previously contributed towards eligible alarm installation costs, the communication must explain the amount of grant awarded, the proposed reimbursement arrangements and the expected timescales for repayment. 

Welsh Government will require evidence that leaseholders and residents have been informed, and where applicable, evidence that eligible leaseholders have been reimbursed, before releasing final payment or closing the grant.

Once the GAL has been signed the alarm supplier can be formally engaged. 

You will need to provide Welsh Government with:

• the agreed specification
• the signed contract of work
• the expected start and completion dates 

You must inform the Welsh Government of any regulatory approvals, statutory consents, or other permissions required in relation to the project where applicable.

Payment of grant funding is made on completion of the interim alarm installation, and you will need to provide:

• a commissioning certificate (obtained from the alarm firm)
• an updated FRA which reflects the installation of the alarm 
• the final invoice showing the amount paid to the alarm firm
• evidence of leaseholder and resident communication, showing updates on the works that have been undertaken and the impact that has for residents
• where leaseholders have previously contributed towards the cost of an eligible alarm installation, evidence of the proposed reimbursement arrangements and, where applicable, evidence that reimbursements have been made
• evidence of any required regulatory approvals, certifications, or sign-off, where applicable.

The submitted information will be reviewed by Welsh Government who may contact you should further clarification be required.

Once approved, the grant will be paid to the applicant’s nominated bank account.

Alternative payment arrangements may be considered in exceptional circumstances where financial hardship can be evidenced. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with Welsh Government at the earliest opportunity.

As part of the management of the grant, Welsh Government may undertake monitoring, assurance, and audit activities, including:

• Progress reviews
• Checks of supporting documents
• Financial audits
• Post-completion reviews. 

You must retain records for the period set out in your Grant Award Letter. 

Welsh Government may require repayment of all or part of the grant where:

• Grant conditions are breached.
• Funding is not used for the approved purpose.
• False or misleading information is provided.
• Relevant information affecting eligibility is withheld.
• Required evidence is not provided.
• Remediation commitments are not progressed as declared in the application. 

We may carry out proportionate checks to verify information provided as part of an application. This may include reviewing procurement records, financial information, and supporting fire safety documentation. 

The grant will operate in accordance with the Welsh Building Safety Fund Subsidy Scheme 

You may be required to provide information to support subsidy control assessments and transparency requirements. 

Information about grant awards may be published where required by legislation or the applicable subsidy scheme.

The Welsh Government treats the Welsh and English languages on the basis of equality. You can apply and correspond with us in Welsh or English. 

Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

The Welsh Government is the data controller for any personal information you provide as part of an application to the Wales Interim Measures Alarm Grant (WIMAG).

We will process your information to:

• assess grant applications or request for grant funding.
• monitor the performance of schemes.
• verify any information provided.
• ensure that grants have been paid out in line with the eligibility and subsidy control conditions for the schemes.
• evaluate and review the impact, performance, and costs of the schemes.
• research the effectiveness of the schemes and support future policy development.

Further information about how Welsh Government processes personal information is available in the Welsh Government grants privacy notice.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received from Welsh Government, you can make a complaint using the Welsh Government Complaints Procedure.

Complaints will be handled in accordance with the Welsh Government's published complaints arrangements.

A complaint will not normally result in a funding application being reassessed unless there is evidence that the published assessment process was not followed correctly.

Information about how to make a complaint is available on GOV.WALES:

Make a complaint about the Welsh Government

If you remain dissatisfied after your complaint has been considered, you may be able to refer the matter to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

Further information is available at:

Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

For further information about the Wales Interim Measures Alarm Grant (WIMAG), email: WIMAG@gov.wales