In the realm of fire safety and building security, the term “Grade A LD2 Fire Alarm System” holds significant importance. This system represents a robust and comprehensive approach to fire detection and notification, designed to safeguard lives and property. So why is it such a critical component in modern homes?
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of fire alarm systems. These systems are designed to detect and alert occupants to the presence of a fire, allowing for safe evacuation and enabling prompt response from fire fighters.
The “LD2” in Grade A LD2 Fire Alarm System stands for “Life Safety: Detection Category 2,” indicating a higher level of protection and redundancy compared to lesser categories. Grade A signifies that the system is designed for full coverage of the building or a specific fire compartment.
Key Components of a Grade A LD2 Fire Alarm System
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are the workhorses of any fire alarm system. In Grade A LD2 systems, these detectors are strategically placed throughout the home, ensuring that no area is left unmonitored. Advanced technology, such as photoelectric or ionization sensors, is often used for early and accurate fire detection.
Heat Detectors
Heat detectors are another vital component. These sensors activate when the ambient temperature rises significantly, indicating a fire. They are typically used in areas where smoke detectors may yield false alarms due to dust or fumes such as in a kitchen.
Notification Devices
Notification devices, including sirens, horns, and strobe lights, are responsible for alerting occupants to the presence of a fire. These devices are strategically placed to ensure audibility and visibility throughout the building.
Remote Monitoring
Many Grade A LD2 systems are equipped with remote monitoring capabilities. This allows central monitoring stations to receive alerts in real-time, enabling swift response from emergency services.
Why Grade A LD2 Matters
Grade A LD2 Fire Alarm Systems are critical for several reasons
Early Detection
By providing comprehensive coverage, these systems can detect fires in their incipient stages, allowing homeowners more time to evacuate safely.
Minimised False Alarms
The redundancy and use of multiple detection methods reduce the chances of false alarms, which can be costly and lead to complacency.
Compliance
Grade A LD2 systems can be a legal requirement for certain home types and sizes, ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations.
Property Protection
These systems not only safeguard lives but also protect property by enabling a rapid response to fires.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that a Grade A LD2 Fire Alarm System is in place provides peace of mind for occupants, and emergency responders alike.
In the realm of fire safety, Grade A LD2 Fire Alarm Systems represent the pinnacle of protection. They are designed to detect fires early, minimise false alarms, and ensure comprehensive coverage. At HF, we offer complete personal fire and security solutions. Our Fire and Security Services are NSI Gold and NSI Fire Gold accredited and we can design, install and offer maintenance contracts for Fire Systems, Access Control Systems, CCTV and Intruder Alarms nationwide.
If you would like to know more about our Fire & Security Services, examples of the work we have done in this sector or if you have any questions about bespoke services, please call our head office in Glasgow on 0800 783 9480 or email info@hf-group.co.uk.
The UK is on the cusp of a technological transformation that promises to reshape the way we live, work, and communicate. The advent of 5G technology, the fifth generation of wireless networks, is bringing about a wave of innovation that will benefit not only individuals but also businesses and UK industries. At HF Comms, we deliver engineering, design, construction & project management for a full range of telecommunications services across the UK and play a big part in the new 5G infrastructure that will be helping to bring so many of these new benefits in the near future. But just what are the benefits of 5G?
Lightning-Fast Internet Speeds
One of the most significant advantages of 5G is its speed. With theoretical maximum speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps), 5G is roughly 100 times faster than its predecessor, 4G. This means that downloading large files, streaming high-definition content, and even virtual reality experiences will become seamless and lag-free. Faster internet speeds will empower individuals to work more efficiently, access educational resources with ease, and enjoy entertainment like never before.
Enhanced Mobile Connectivity
5G will not only provide faster speeds but also offer improved reliability and connectivity. It is capable of handling a much larger number of devices simultaneously, making it ideal for crowded urban areas, large events, and smart cities. This will pave the way for the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling smart homes, efficient transportation systems including driverless cars, and connected healthcare devices to thrive.
Economic Growth and Innovation
The rollout of 5G infrastructure is already stimulating economic growth in the UK. It is creating new job opportunities in the technology sector and driving investments in research and development while fostering innovation across various industries. Businesses will be able to leverage the capabilities of 5G to improve their operations, enhance customer experiences, and develop new products and services.
Telemedicine and Healthcare Transformation
The healthcare sector stands to benefit immensely from 5G technology. Telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and even remote surgeries will become more accessible and reliable, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare can be challenging. Doctors will be able to provide real-time consultations, and medical data will be transmitted securely and quickly, improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.
Autonomous Vehicles and Transportation
The UK is already making strides in autonomous vehicle development. 5G will play a crucial role in the advancement and safe deployment of self-driving cars and connected transportation systems. With ultra-low latency and high reliability, 5G networks will allow vehicles to communicate with each other and traffic infrastructure in real-time, making transportation safer and more efficient.
Environmental Impact
5G technology can contribute to reducing the UK’s carbon footprint. At HF, our green energy services are already helping businesses with EV charging infrastructure and solar panel installations. But in telecommunications, 5G will allow businesses to increase efficiency and connectivity that can enable better energy management, leading to smarter, more eco-friendly cities. For instance, smart grids can optimise energy distribution, and connected transportation systems can reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
Education and Remote Learning
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of digital learning. With 5G, students in remote areas will have better access to high-quality education through online classes, virtual field trips, and interactive learning platforms. This will help bridge the educational divide and ensure that all students have equal access to educational resources.
5G technology is set to revolutionise the UK in various ways. From faster internet speeds and improved connectivity to economic growth, healthcare advancements, and environmental benefits, 5G will touch nearly every aspect of our lives. As the UK continues to invest in and roll out 5G infrastructure, the nation is poised to become a leader in the digital age, unlocking new possibilities and opportunities for its citizens and businesses. The future is undoubtedly exciting, and 5G will be at the heart of this transformation.
HF Comms
Operating across the UK, we delivery engineering, design, construction and project management services for a full range of telecommunications services. All proudly delivered by our Comms team who provide knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to all the projects that we deliver. There are few areas of industry as fast-moving as the Communications sector. Certainly, there are few as competitive. In this climate, HF Comms has grown and developed almost as quickly as the sector itself. And we recognise that simply to be abreast of technologies is no longer good enough. With the development of 5G, we are excited about what the future holds as we help to play a part in the exciting transformation of industry in the UK.
Enhancing efficiency and reliability in sectors ranging from Agriculture to Transportation
In an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world, automation has emerged as a cornerstone of progress across various industries globally. One of the most critical aspects of automation and an unsung hero in its day to day running is the implementation of automated control systems. These control systems play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in processes ranging from manufacturing and transportation to food production. At HF we are a world leader in bespoke control panel systems, offering our customers hands-on management through the entire project to give them total peace of mind. And this is why we wanted to delve into the importance of automated controls and how they are reshaping the landscape of modern operations.
Defining Automated Controls
Automated controls refer to the integration of technology and software systems to monitor, manage, and regulate various processes without the need for constant human intervention. These controls encompass a wide spectrum of functionalities, including data collection, analysis, decision-making, and execution. By leveraging sensors, actuators, algorithms, and real-time data, automated controls enable systems to operate optimally and adapt to changing conditions swiftly. You will find automated control systems that we have designed and built in power stations, road bridges, chemical plants, recycling centres….the list goes on. This is why automated control systems are the unsung hero. They are an integral part of day to day life yet because of their reliability, they go about their job almost unnoticed.
Precision, Efficiency, Consistency and Accuracy
One of the most prominent advantages of automated controls is the substantial increase in efficiency. In industries such as manufacturing and logistics, automation has allowed people across various industries and sectors to optimise and refine their processes. People within these industries are now using automation as an integral tool to improve the process and to improve human interaction with the process in ways that before were simply not possible. Automated controls can manage repetitive and time-consuming tasks, resulting in increased production rates, improved turnaround times, and decreased operational costs.
Human errors are an inherent part of manual processes. Automated controls eliminate the element of human fallibility, leading to higher levels of precision and accuracy. These controls can perform intricate calculations, measurements, and adjustments with a level of consistency that is difficult to achieve manually. They also ensure consistency in operations, reducing variability and minimising the risk of unexpected disruptions. For instance, in energy and utility management, automated controls can balance supply and demand in real-time, ensuring a stable power grid.
The ability to respond to changing conditions in real-time is a hallmark of automated controls. These controls can analyse data from various sources, predict potential issues, and make adjustments accordingly. This adaptability is particularly valuable in dynamic environments prone to rapid changes.
Automated controls play a crucial role in risk management by monitoring and alerting operators to anomalies or deviations from predefined norms. In industrial settings, automated controls can detect equipment malfunctions early, preventing costly breakdowns and ensuring the safety of personnel. While some automated control systems offer simple solutions to simple problems, other automated control systems operate complex processes involving vast amounts of data that can be harnessed for insights and improvements. Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms can be employed to uncover hidden patterns and correlations that might not be apparent through manual analysis.
In a world where technological advancements are rapidly reshaping industries, automated controls have emerged as a linchpin for efficiency, accuracy, and reliability. These controls not only streamline operations but also enhance safety, reduce human error, and provide valuable data-driven insights. As businesses and organisations continue to integrate automation into their workflows, the role of automated controls will remain pivotal in driving progress, innovation, and sustained success across various sectors.
Our work in automated control systems can truly be said to be world-class.
At HF, we are one of the worlds leading design and manufacturing specialists for bespoke control panel systems. We offer the complete design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance package for power and control systems across the world; producing solutions that cover everything from Simple Starter Panels to Advanced Latest Generation Intelligent Control Systems.
While our clients individual requirements may be unique, they all share one common aspect: they are benefiting from the implementation and use of automated control systems for their business needs. Whether your business requires one-off bespoke electrical control panels or the production of multiple control units, our Automated Controls Facility can produce solutions ideally suited for a diverse range of industrial sectors; covering everything from the Food & Beverage Industry to Power, Petrochemical and Recycling Sectors. We work with clients all across the world delivering time and time again on our promise of innovative, reliable bespoke automated control systems.
Our Control Panel Services cover:
Electrical Control Panel Design and Manufacturing.
Instrumentation Control Panel Design and Manufacturing
Fault rated motor control centres and LV Switchboards.
Instrument/Pneumatic Control Systems.
PLC/SCADA software design control package systems.
Inverter-Drive and Networking solutions.
CAD Drawings
Site installation and commissioning
A Company Well Connected
The HF Group of companies offers clients an unsurpassed level of genuinely in-house capabilities, senior-level hands-on management from initial planning to final handover, and the opportunity to tap into a wide range of services and a team of consultants with a skills base and command of technologies which are second to none.
Our client list is growing daily but regardless of the size or scale of the contract, you can be assured of working with a team devoted to providing the highest quality service, with the flexibility, attention to detail and responsiveness that’s not just second nature – it is in our DNA and guides us as we move forwards into the future.
The UK ban of T5 and T8 Fluorescent Lamps is fast approaching
UK’s Ban on T5 and T8 Fluorescent Lamps in September
In a continued effort to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, the UK is poised to take a significant step towards a greener future in September with the ban of sales and import of T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps. This marks another milestone in the countries commitment to combating climate change and embracing more sustainable energy solutions.
A Shift Towards Energy Efficiency
Fluorescent lamps, while once a popular lighting choice due to their affordability and relatively low energy consumption compared to incandescent bulbs, have been overshadowed by more advanced and eco-friendly lighting options in recent years including LED Lighting. The T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps, commonly found in commercial and industrial settings, have faced growing scrutiny due to their limitations in terms of efficiency, lifespan, and hazardous material disposal.
The RoHS decision to ban the sale and import of T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps is in line with ambitious energy efficiency goals to encourage the adoption of more sustainable lighting solutions. The ban of T5 and T8 fluorescent lighting ban follows similar bans on other types of fluorescent lighting earlier in the year.
The Case for LED Lighting
The ban on T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps paves the way for Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting to take centre stage. LEDs have rapidly emerged as the preferred lighting option due to their numerous advantages. LED lights are renowned for their energy efficiency, durability, extended lifespan, and significantly lower maintenance requirements compared to fluorescent lamps.
One of the most attractive features of LED lighting is its ability to produce more lumens per watt, resulting in a brighter light output while consuming less energy. Additionally, LEDs are highly versatile and can be easily integrated into various lighting fixtures and designs, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
Benefits Beyond Energy Efficiency
The ban on T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps not only contributes to energy savings but also has a broader positive impact. LED lighting produces less heat, reducing the strain on cooling systems and contributing to a more comfortable indoor environment. Moreover, LEDs are mercury-free and do not pose the same environmental hazards associated with fluorescent lamps, making them a safer choice for both businesses and the ecosystem.
The future lies in LED Lighting and its many benefits ranging from energy savings to longer lifespan, greater photometric values and greater flexibility in light colours. The UK’s ban on T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps in September marks a significant stride towards a greener and more energy-efficient future. By embracing LED lighting solutions, the UK is taking a proactive step in reducing energy consumption, cutting carbon emissions, and promoting safer and more sustainable lighting practices.
Older lighting solutions that use high wattage bulbs can be replaced with similar or identical LED lighting fixtures that provide the same light output but for a fraction of the energy watts. In fact, a typical 50W halogen bulb can be replaced by a 5W LED light yet achieves the exact same lighting output. Energy savings of 65% or more can be achieved simply by switching from old fluorescent lighting in your office or retail space. And this saving can be further enhanced with additional lighting features such as occupancy motion sensors.
Find out more
Upgrading your businesses electrical lighting can save you money on your yearly energy bills and it can lower your yearly maintenance costs. Commercial LED lighting can be installed to meet your specific lighting needs and come in a variety of designs, shapes, sizes, styles, brightness and spectrum of warm and cool colours.
To find out more about the benefits of upgrading your businesses commercial lighting to LED, please contact us today.
In the modern business world, where businesses thrive on efficiency and reliability, the often overlooked yet essential part of business that so many people take for granted is commercial plumbing. Commercial plumbing is the intricate network of pipes, fixtures, and systems that facilitate the essential functions of various establishments, ranging from office buildings and hotels to restaurants, pubs, clubs and manufacturing plants. Despite its understated presence, the importance of commercial plumbing cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in maintaining the smooth operation of businesses and ensuring the well-being of occupants. If a gym looses water for their showers, they have to shut costing them business. If the toilets in a restaurant break, they have to shut costing them business. The list goes on.
Uninterrupted Operations
One of the most significant contributions of commercial plumbing is its role in maintaining uninterrupted operations for businesses. In any commercial establishment, a reliable plumbing system is essential for basic functions such as sanitation, water supply, and waste disposal. Imagine a restaurant unable to serve customers due to a backed-up kitchen sink or a hotel facing negative reviews due to plumbing-related inconveniences. Such scenarios not only tarnish a business’s reputation but also directly impact its revenue and customer satisfaction.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of employees, customers, and occupants are paramount in any commercial setting. A well-designed and properly maintained plumbing system ensures access to clean and safe water, preventing the spread of waterborne diseases and contaminants such as legionella. Adequate plumbing also prevents water stagnation and mould growth, which can lead to respiratory issues and allergies.
In industries such as healthcare and food service, stringent hygiene standards are essential. Proper plumbing systems facilitate the disposal of medical waste and ensure compliance with food safety regulations, safeguarding public health and preventing legal repercussions.
Sustainability and Efficiency
In an era where environmental consciousness is on the rise, commercial plumbing has a vital role to play in promoting sustainability. Water conservation measures, such as low-flow fixtures and efficient irrigation systems, not only reduce a business’s water consumption but also lower utility costs. Additionally, advanced plumbing technologies like leak detection systems help identify and rectify water wastage, contributing to both sustainability and cost savings.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
Commercial plumbing systems are designed not only to facilitate daily operations but also to prevent and mitigate potential disasters. A well-designed plumbing system incorporates safeguards against water leaks, burst pipes, and flooding. In sensitive environments like data centres or research facilities, water damage can lead to catastrophic losses. Proper plumbing solutions, including automated leak detection and shut-off systems, can prevent such incidents and protect valuable assets.
Compliance and Regulations
Commercial plumbing is subject to a complex number of regulations and codes that are designed to ensure safety, hygiene, and environmental responsibility. Compliance with these regulations is not just a legal obligation; it’s also essential for maintaining the integrity of a business and avoiding costly penalties. Reliable commercial plumbing contractors like ourselves are well-versed in these regulations and work to ensure that establishments meet the necessary standards. Failure to do so can be extremely costly.
While often overlooked, the importance of commercial plumbing is undeniable. From supporting uninterrupted business operations and safeguarding health and safety to promoting sustainability and preventing disasters, commercial plumbing is the unsung hero that keeps businesses flowing. As businesses continue to evolve and prioritise efficiency and sustainability, recognising and investing in the significance of commercial plumbing is a wise decision that pays dividends in the long run.
The difference between domestic and commercial plumbing
Commercial plumbing is of course tailored to commercial businesses, properties and housing and retail developments and goes beyond the traditional bathroom plumbing work that you would associate with domestic plumbing.
Our commercial plumbing services deals in the water supply and drainage systems for businesses, public spaces, leisure centres, industrial and manufacturing facilities etc that have extensive plumbing systems that are more demanding by nature that residential and domestic plumbing. The scale to which our commercial plumbing has to operate in is almost unlimited; covering everything from public bathrooms to heating systems for swimming pools and water systems for manufacturing facilities. Our commercial plumbing services deal in bigger buildings, bigger equipment and of course, bigger plumbing problems when they do arise.
Our Commercial plumbers have the skills and experience to design, install and maintain the plumbing and pipework systems of complex building structures that run over multiple levels. We work with plumbing systems including industrial grade heating systems, piping and water supply needs.
At HF, our Mechanical, Plumbing, Heating & AC division can work on the installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing systems for everything from traditional leaks in a hotel bathroom tap to the design, installation and servicing of heating systems for a Leisure Centre swimming pool.
Our engineers are accredited and certified to the highest of safety standards. For more information on the commercial plumbing services that we offer, please contact us on 0800 783 9480
When it comes to access control systems, magnetic locks have become a reliable and innovative solution for provided a secure locking system with multiple customisation options.
Also known as electromagnetic locks or maglocks, they have gained popularity for their robustness, efficiency, and ease of use with businesses up and down the country benefiting from their use. From securing sensitive areas in commercial buildings to ensuring the safety of homes, magnetic locks have proven to be an invaluable tool. But how do these locks actually work?
The Basics of Magnetic Locks
Magnetic locks consist of two main components. An electromagnet and an armature plate. The electromagnet is typically mounted on the door frame, while the armature plate is attached to the door itself. When the lock is engaged, the electromagnet generates a strong magnetic attraction that holds the armature plate against it, effectively keeping the door securely closed. The power required to maintain this magnetic hold is relatively minimal, making magnetic locks both energy-efficient and reliable.
The Attraction Process
The core principle behind the operation of magnetic locks is electromagnetism. When an electric current flows through a coil of wire, it generates a magnetic field around the coil. In the context of a magnetic lock, the coil of wire is wound around a ferrous core, usually made of materials like iron or steel. As the electric current flows through the coil, it creates a magnetic field that turns the core into a temporary magnet. This magnetic force is strong enough to attract and hold the armature plate against the electromagnet.
Fail-Safe and Fail-Secure Modes
Magnetic locks can operate in two primary modes. Fail-safe and fail-secure. In the fail-safe mode, the magnetic lock remains locked when power is applied. However, when power is cut, the magnetic attraction dissipates, allowing the door to be easily opened. Fail-safe magnetic locks are often used in emergency exit doors or areas where quick evacuation might be necessary.
However, in the fail-secure mode, the magnetic lock remains locked even during a power outage. This mode ensures that the locked door cannot be opened without the application of power, adding an extra layer of security. Fail-secure magnetic locks are often found in sensitive areas such as server rooms or research facilities where intruders attempts to ‘cut the power’ to the building will have no effect on the locking mechanism.
Modern magnetic locks used in a business environment are often integrated into access control systems, allowing for sophisticated management of entry points. Access can be granted or denied remotely through various means, such as key cards, PIN codes, biometric scanners, or even smartphone apps. This integration not only enhances security but also provides an audit trail of who accessed a particular area and when. During the Covid-19, this system was invaluable for businesses as they entered a controlled phase of allowing employees back to work.
Advantages of Magnetic Locks
Magnetic locks offer several advantages that have contributed to their widespread adoption:
Strength and Durability
Magnetic locks can provide a high level of security due to their powerful magnetic attraction, making them resistant to forced entry.
Energy Efficiency
These locks require minimal power to maintain their magnetic hold, making them energy-efficient and cost-effective.
Quick Response Time
Magnetic locks can engage and disengage rapidly, ensuring swift access for authorised individuals.
Low Maintenance
With fewer moving parts, magnetic locks are less prone to wear and tear, resulting in lower maintenance requirements. As they do not require keys, there is no cost for a set of replacement keys should a set be lost.
Customisable
Magnetic locks can be customised to fit various door sizes and security needs, making them versatile for different applications.
The functionality of magnetic locks rests upon the principles of electromagnetism, offering a secure and efficient solution for access control. As technology continues to advance, magnetic locks are likely to remain a key player in the evolving landscape of security systems. Whether used in commercial, industrial, or residential settings, their ability to combine strength, efficiency, and flexibility makes them an indispensable asset in safeguarding valuable assets and ensuring controlled access.
At HF, our Fire & Security services are backed up with NSI Gold and NSI Fire Gold accreditation so that we can operate to the highest possible industry standard and guidelines across the UK.
Our team can advise you on all types of security system that you should have for y our home or business, giving you the very best in security to suit your needs. We can review your domestic or commercial property and provide recommendations on what products, system design and installation requirements you should have.
From CCTV to Intruder Alarms, Fire Alarms to Access Solutions, we can provide the complete installation, maintenance and emergency call-out service. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Electricity is an indispensable resource that powers our homes, businesses, and industries. From energy efficient LED lights to fridges, freezers and manufacturing assets to computers, electricity is at the core of our daily lives. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and it is important to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical systems. This is where electrical remedial work comes in – a crucial aspect of maintaining and improving electrical systems to guarantee safety, efficiency, and longevity.
Understanding Electrical Remedial Work
Electrical remedial work refers to the process of identifying, rectifying, and enhancing electrical installations, components, and systems that have fallen into disrepair, become obsolete, or fail to meet modern safety standards. These tasks encompass a wide range of activities, from repairing faulty wiring and addressing circuit overloads to replacing outdated components and upgrading systems to adhere to current regulations.
Ensuring Safety Above All
One of the most critical reasons for performing electrical remedial work is ensuring safety. Faulty electrical systems pose a substantial risk of fires, electrocutions, and other hazards that can lead to property damage, injuries, or even loss of life. Regular electrical maintenance and addressing any issues promptly are essential to prevent these potential disasters. Timely remedial work can identify and fix hidden faults, deteriorating insulation, and compromised components, mitigating the risk of accidents caused by electrical malfunctions.
Adapting to Changing Standards
Electrical guidelines and safety is continuously evolving, with new regulations, codes, and safety standards being introduced in the UK to keep up with technological advancements and safety concerns. Electrical remedial work allows systems to be brought up to the latest standards, ensuring they meet the requirements of the present and the foreseeable future. This adaptability is crucial, especially in commercial and industrial settings where the demand for electricity is high, and any disruptions can lead to substantial financial losses.
Enhancing Efficiency and Reliability
Electrical systems, like any other complex machinery, undergo wear and tear over time. Worn-out components, outdated technologies, and inefficient configurations can lead to reduced system performance and increased energy consumption. Electrical remedial work aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of systems by replacing outdated components with more energy-efficient alternatives, optimising circuit layouts, and enhancing overall system performance. This can reduce power consumption and lower utility costs and also extend the lifespan of equipment.
The Role of Electrician in Electrical Remedial Work
Electricity is dangerous and remedial work should always be handled by a trained electrician. Electrical systems are intricate and potentially hazardous, requiring specialized knowledge, tools, and skills to handle effectively. Hiring qualified and licensed electrical professionals ensures that remedial work is carried out safely and in compliance with regulations.
In the digital age, where our reliance on electricity is greater than ever before, the importance of electrical remedial work cannot be overstated. From safeguarding lives and property to improving efficiency and staying up to date with changing standards, this practice plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and reliable electrical infrastructure. As technology continues to advance, investing in the proper maintenance and remedial work of electrical systems is a prudent choice for businesses that ensures a brighter, safer future for all.
Nationwide Electrical Contractor
At HF, our electricians are NICEIC and Select Approved Electrical Contractors providing Manned electrical 24 hour Call-out Service nationwide. We are the first choice for some of the country’s leading businesses when it comes to electrical services. From Electrical Installations to Planned Maintenance Contracts, quality service and peace of mind are the principles on which the Fulton family founded the company as electrical contractors all those years ago, and it’s just as important today.
Electrical Services
We can provide our electrical contract services for domestic and commercial customers across the UK. With branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen, we can work in:
If you would like to know more about Electrical Remedial works and how HF can assist your buisiness with planned electrical maintenance contracts, please contact us today.
We have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promises unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We are currently looking to recruit a Business Support Administrator to join our Fire and Security division.
You will have strong administration experience, excellent communication and numerical skills and be happy to work in a team alongside like-minded individuals working to strict deadlines.
This is a long-term position with flexible working arrangements in our Edinburgh branch.
The Role
The successful candidate will be required to complete the following daily tasks:
Make telephone calls / send emails
Carry out admin duties for the service coordinators and contract managers
Answer incoming calls
Prepare documents and photo’s for completed works in readiness for return to client
Assist with uploading reports / worksheets to client portals
Filing data and perform other routine clerical tasks as required
Operate a variety of standard office machines; computer / telephone / photocopier / printer etc.
What you need
Smart and tidy appearance
Excellent communication skills
Comprehensive numerical skills
Good time-management skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work on own initiative
Willingness to learn
Friendly, patient and polite nature
Working for HF Group
The HF Group is a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK. Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
The benefit to us? Excellent staff retention and length of service rates. And to our clients? The reassurance of the best possible service, throughout every aspect of their communications with us.
Working across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects, we make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
Benefits/Additional Perks
Private Medical Cover
Critical Illness Cover
Auto Enrolment Pension
Death in Service Insurance
Perkbox Subscriptions
No Agencies please
To apply for this role or for to be considered for further roles at HF Group, please contact:
HR Manager
HF Group
100 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2SJ
enclosing your CV and current salary or e-mail: personnel@hf-group.co.uk (Online application forms available upon request)
HF is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company’s receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a job vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to volume only successful candidates will be contacted.
The Vital Role of Reactive Electricians in Modern Society
In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, electricity is the lifeblood that powers our daily lives.
From homes and offices to industries and infrastructure, we heavily depend on electricity for nearly every aspect of our existence. As a result, any disruptions in the electrical supply can have severe consequences. This is where reactive electricians step in as unsung heroes, playing a pivotal role in restoring power and ensuring the safety and functionality of electrical systems when emergencies strike.
What is a Reactive Electrician?
A reactive electrician, also known as an emergency electrician, is a skilled professional trained to handle unforeseen electrical issues, disruptions, and emergencies. Unlike regular electricians who primarily focus on planned installations and maintenance, reactive electricians are always on standby to address urgent situations that demand immediate attention. They possess a unique set of skills that enable them to diagnose and resolve complex electrical problems efficiently and safely.
The Importance of Reactive Electricians
Swift Response to Emergencies
Electrical emergencies can occur at any time, day or night. Whether it’s a power outage, electrical fire, malfunctioning equipment, or any other urgent issue, reactive electricians are ready to respond promptly. Their ability to act swiftly ensures minimal downtime and prevents potential safety hazards.
Ensuring Safety
When dealing with electricity, safety is paramount. Reactive electricians are trained to handle hazardous situations with caution and precision. They possess in-depth knowledge of safety codes and protocols, enabling them to work in high-stress conditions while safeguarding lives and property.
Protecting Infrastructure
Electricity is the backbone of modern infrastructure. Hospitals, transportation systems, communication networks, and essential services rely heavily on uninterrupted power. In times of crisis, reactive electricians play a crucial role in restoring electricity to these critical facilities, ensuring they continue to function and serve the public effectively.
Reducing Downtime and Losses
For businesses, downtime due to electrical issues can result in significant financial losses. Reactive electricians help businesses get back up and running swiftly, minimizing downtime and the associated costs. By resolving electrical problems promptly, they contribute to the smooth functioning of commercial establishments and industries.
Preventing Further Damage
During an electrical emergency, the cause of the problem may not always be apparent. Reactive electricians possess the expertise to diagnose the root cause of the issue accurately. By identifying and addressing the underlying problem, they prevent further damage to the electrical system and future emergencies.
Supporting Homeowners
Electricity is indispensable in modern households. When electrical issues arise, it can disrupt daily life and compromise safety. Reactive electricians offer homeowners peace of mind by quickly resolving problems, ensuring their homes remain functional, comfortable, and safe.
Reactive electricians play a vital role in maintaining the stability and safety of our electrical systems. Their readiness to respond to emergencies and their expertise in diagnosing and resolving complex electrical issues are essential in safeguarding lives, properties, and businesses. As technology continues to advance, the importance of reactive electricians will only continue to grow as crucial pillars of our modern society.
Nationwide Electrical Contractor
We are NICEIC and Select Approved Electrical Contractors providing Manned electrical 24 hour Call-out Service nationwide and are the first choice for some of the country’s leading businesses when it comes to electrical services.
From Electrical Installations to Planned Maintenance Contracts, quality service and peace of mind are the principles on which the Fulton family founded the company as electrical contractors all those years ago, and it’s just as important today.
Drowning Prevention Day is one of the largest summer water safety campaigns and we were thrilled to be helping out our friends at The Darcey Sunshine Foundation who put on ‘The Big Splash Challenge’ in order to raise money for their charity work.
The target was simple – to highlight the devastating effects of drowning worldwide AND raise funds that can be used to save lives through drowning prevention education. How they went about that this year was through a ‘Big Splash’ swimathon and, for those brave enough, a cold dook in the North Sea.
They set a goal of 250,000m for everyone to reach as a grand total and they absolutely smashed it…
Scotland: 175,926
England: 3,000
South Africa: 224,456
Mauritius: 37,560
Seyshells: 450
New Zealand: 3,000
Australia: 5,200
Canada: 1,500
USA: 2,000
Jamaica: 2,512
Bali: 5,000
Zimbabwe: 1,000
Why is the fundraising so important?
Sadly 90% of all drownings occur in low and middle income countries where people lack swimming skills and ability. Prevention is the only way to reduce these tragic statistics and The Darcy Foundation raises money to help teach children to swim. Learning to swim can reduce a child’s chances of drowning by up to 88% which is why the charity wants to give every child the chance to not only survive – but thrive!
A massive congrats to everyone who took part in The Big Splash. If you want to know more about the charity and the work they do, get involved or donate to the charity, click the link below.
Communication providers up and down the country are currently upgrading their existing analogue PSTN networks to IP-based services and HF Fire & Security is no exception.
We have spoken about UK’s PSTN network switching off in 2025 before but we wanted to go into a breakdown of the projected timeline for this process in more detail. We are currently contacting any customers that we offer fire & security maintenance contracts to and should you have any questions about the PSTN Switch Off, please contact our team who will be happy to help answer any questions you may have.
The easiest way to know if your fire & security system still uses PSTN is if any of your current devices plugs into an existing analogue telephone wall socket. This includes any fire and security signalling systems and alarms.
Make no mistake, this change will affect every single business and home across the country and is an important change because it will be affecting anything that uses the old phone network including:
Intruder Alarms
Access Control Systems
Door Entry Systems
CCTV
Fire Systems
In September of this year, Openreach intends to stop selling products that are reliant on PSTN network and encourage all customers to migrate to a full fibre network but it is not until 2025 that the system will stop working.
The reason that PSTN is switching off is simply that the demands on the system now outweigh its capabilities. Switching to mobile data and internet systems will allow the UK communication network to better handle the demands of today and tomorrow.
So while 2025 is still some way to go, it is important that businesses begin planning for the switch now.
Will my existing fire & security system be affected?
Modern alarm systems have been using an all digital set up for quite some time so newer intruder alarms, CCTV and fire alarm systems are already set up to use IP communication systems rather than PSTN. But if you are unsure, our Fire & Security engineers can check whether your current fire alarm system or security system works on an analogue or digital format for you. If it has been installed in the last 4-5 years then it is most likely going to be okay but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
What if my fire & security system does use the old analogue set up?
If your fire and security system is running an older analogue set up, your first option is to completely update the entire system. If you use an older home alarm system, this may present an ideal opportunity to upgrade your system to a higher grade of security deterrent that can better cope with the latest security threats that older systems were not designed to defend against. Modern intruder alarm systems operate on cloud servers and as well as providing a deterrent to burglars, they can connect with smoke alarms, detect flooding and control smart devices such as Ring Door Bells; All while being easily managed via mobile apps.
If your current system is reliant on the current PSTN system, there are upgrade solutions that can upgrade the existing system to use digital rather than analogue. Our engineers can advise you on the best course of action because, as with everything we do, we always strive to offer you the very best in intruder alarm system services and offer a fully customisable security system design, installation and maintenance package so that your property, your possessions and your loved ones are secure.
Our specialist alarm system team, operating out of our offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen cover the whole of the UK and can provide:
CCTV Systems
Home Burglar Alarm / Intruder Alarm
Motion Sensor Alarms
Security Lighting
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Smoke Detectors
Monitoring & Maintenance
If you would like to find out more about our home alarm systems and how to upgrade your current PSTN dependant system to Digital IP, please contact us today.
When friends and colleagues band together, the possibilities are near limitless.
At the beginning of July, Andy McKay from our Telecommunications office set off on a fundraising charity walk around the Isle of Cumbrae, passing through Millport town along the way.
But he didn’t do it alone. Friends, family and a fair few work colleagues from HF joined him on the 10 mile loop following the coastal roads around the island in the Firth of Clyde off the coast of North Ayrshire with wonderful views on all sides. So far, the charity walk alone has raised over £4,000.
The charity event was organised in memory of Jenna and just like every fundraising event that Andy has organised since August 2011, the money raised goes to the British Heart Foundation to help them in their fight against heart disease.
Andy has been organising multiple charity events over the years and in little over a decade (with a number of events cancelled because of Covid restrictions), his charity fundraising has managed to raise over £175,000!!!! When Gift Aid is added into that figure, that comes to just shy of £200,000. A truly extraordinary achievement. Yet Andy is far from done and there are many more events in the pipeline – as there should be.
As a member of the HF family for over 25 years, Andy is a vital part of the company and we have been thrilled to help out with donations and prizes for the many events that Andy has organised since 2011.
At HF, we put people first. It is one of our core company values and we truly believe that we are at our strongest and most effective when we respect, value, and collaborate together. We are one team. Whether that be in the day to day work we do across the multiple divisions of HF or as part of a team working alongside each other completing charity fundraising walks in the Summer sun.
A massive congratulations to everyone involved in the charity walk and of course to those who contributed to the fundraising. We are already looking forward to the next event that Andy is organising and can’t wait to report back on the next big targets that his fundraising hits.
If you want to make an online donation to Andy’s fundraising campaign, you can use the link below.
Due to continued growth, we have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promises unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promises unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We are currently looking to recruit a Mechanical Estimator to join our Mechanical & Electrical Division working in our Glasgow Branch.
Salary negotiable upon experience.
This is a long-term position with flexible working arrangements in our Glasgow branch.
The Position
Reporting directly to the Estimating Director, you will work within the estimating department, estimating mechanical services within all aspects of commercial, industrial and residential construction.
The position includes producing accurate estimates on time for adjudication and to negotiate successful tenders through to hand-over with the delivery teams, to enable the company to fulfil its business objectives.
The Role
The successful candidate will be required to complete the following daily tasks:
To review and assess the tender documentation and requirements to enable production of successful tenders Agreeing tender values with Clients
To identify and report on risk and opportunity/scope Maintaining spreadsheets & preparing reports relating to tender submissions
To work collaboratively as a key member of the estimating team
Make sure that tenders take in to account health and safety, quality and environmental legislation as well as being compliant with our own H&S policies and procedures
To produce accurate net estimates with full breakdowns for adjudication
To seek value engineering & advantage through tender process
Technical expert on all scopes of work particular to the project you are working on
What you need
Have a minimum of 5 years estimating experience of working in a similar role – desirable
Understanding and knowledge of estimating/quantity surveying
Have a full UK driving license
Excellent Customer Service, interpersonal and communication skills
Excellent negotiation and decision-making skills
An analytical approach with excellent time management skills imperative
A strong commercial acumen with good negotiation skills with the ability to liaise effectively with clients and architects to build robust ongoing relationships
Working for HF Group
The HF Group is a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK. Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
The benefit to us? Excellent staff retention and length of service rates. And to our clients? The reassurance of the best possible service, throughout every aspect of their communications with us.
Working across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects, we make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
Benefits/Additional Perks
Private Medical Cover
Critical Illness Cover
Auto Enrolment Pension
Death in Service Insurance
Perkbox Subscriptions
No Agencies please
To apply for this role or for to be considered for further roles at HF Group, please contact:
HR Manager
HF Group
100 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2SJ
enclosing your CV and current salary
or e-mail: personnel@hf-group.co.uk
(Online application forms available upon request)
HF is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company’s receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a job vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you have the time, you should definitely head along to see the various outstanding pieces of work from Glasgow’s college students.
craftex-exhibition-glasgow (1)
craftex-exhibition-glasgow (2)
craftex-exhibition-glasgow (3)
craftex-exhibition-glasgow (4)
craftex-exhibition-glasgow (5)
All the pieces will be displayed in The Trades Hall which HF Mechanical & Electrical worked on the electrical refurbishment and lighting upgrades for a couple of years ago.
You can find out more about the event by visiting their site by clicking here.
If you haven’t noticed, there is a strange ball of fire hovering in the sky right now.
The late spring hot weather is well and truly upon us and while it is great to finally embrace the warmer temperatures, safety should always be taken seriously. At HF, it is one of our core values in the company and is always a priority. Individually and collectively, we are all responsible.
And that is why we ensure that our team of electricians, mechanical engineers, fire & security contractors, comms riggers and control panel installers are all reminded of the potential dangers of working in the sun.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK and too much exposure to UV radiation can cause sunburn, blistering, skin ageing and, in the long term, a higher risk of skin cancer. Those with a family history of skin cancer may be more at risk.
So to ensure that everyone take appropriate precautions, we want to make sure that you are aware of the risks and know what to do to keep safe and be harm free.
Advice for working outdoors in the sun.
Wear appropriate clothing.
Stay in the shade where possible.
Use a high factor sunscreen.
Drink plenty of water.
Watch for symptoms of skin damage such as new moles or spots and changes to existing moles.
Keep an eye out for the warning signs of dehydration.
Dry mouth
Muscle Cramps
Nausea & Vomiting
Heart palpitations
Light headedness
Eyes stop making tears
Sweating stops
Body weakness
If you feel the onset of these symptoms, drink cool water. Fresh fruit and vegetables are an ideal hydrating snack made up of 80-90% water.
Be safe, enjoy the weather (because in the UK, it probably won’t last that long) but above all, be safe.
We have always been incredibly proud of our apprentice programme at HF.
We have so many success stories within HF; from the almost endless number of electrical apprentices who have forged successful, long spanning careers with us, to those who have moved from one division of HF to another as they grow and seek new challenges.
And while we expect nothing but the best from our apprentices, it doesn’t stop us from being immensely proud that not one, not two but three of our current electrical apprentices have all become finalists.
Our electrical work is the backbone of what we do at HF. We are NICEIC and Select Approved Electrical Contractors providing Manned electrical 24 hour Call-out Service nationwide and are the first choice for some of the country’s leading businesses when it comes to electrical services.
From Electrical Installations to Planned Maintenance Contracts, quality service and peace of mind are the principles on which the Fulton family founded the company as electrical contractors all those years ago, and it’s just as important today.
A huge part of our success in this time has always been through our apprentice programme. We are incredibly proud of this apprentice programme which has seen so many of our young apprentices successfully continue their career into full time positions within the company, either as Electricians, Mechanical Contractors or as one of our Fire & Security team.
We are always looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join us. So if you are interested in apprentice programmes in Electrical, Mechanical or Fire & Security services, use the link below to find out more about the current opportunities in areas near our branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen.
While HF is well known for the work that we provide in everything from electrical to 5G telecommunications, it is rare for us to talk about so many of the other cogs within the company that are vital for the HF machine to run smoothly.
One of those vital areas of HF that are so essential to the work we do is the Design & Estimating Department. As the name suggests, this side of HF is where we plan out, cost and design projects and ensure that the work we do is reliably following the requirements set out by our clients.
To help shine a light on the work that gets done in the Estimating Department, we sat down with Ben, one of the Electrical Estimators at HF to find out more about the work he does here and the challenges behind it.
So Ben, what is it that you do at HF?
In a nut shell, I am involved in determining the costs for electrical installations in industrial, commercial and residential projects that HF get to work on.
With each job, there are material costs, labour time, transportation and many more variables to determine and it is up to us to calculate how long each job will last, researching market prices for project materials and equipment, dealing with subcontractors and communicating with clients to determine the scope of each project.
A big part of tendering is determining the potential profitability of electrical projects; that data is used by the management at HF to help them make sound tender decisions.
While tender contracts will stipulate certain criteria, I get to brainstorm viable solutions that will help us to increase project profitability and if Management gives it a green light, I then get to work on completing and submitting competitive tender’s bids for HF. Tenders are a lot more than just quoting a price. Everything has to be in accordance with established BS7671 18th edition IET wiring regulations and because so many of the projects we do are large in scale, it means I need to regularly update cost databases to accurately reflect fluctuating material and labour costs. While a couple of pennies per metre increase in the cost of electrical wiring may not sound big, when you are installing hundred of metres of wiring in one job, those small increases can all add up.
On top of the estimating side of things, I get to be involved in the design of electrical projects; creating wiring, lighting and power distribution diagrams that fit an individual project’s needs. I collaborate with homeowners, architects, construction firms and manufacturers to design circuits and switchboards for their machinery and equipment.
So all in all, quite a mixed bag of things.
Do you have a favourite project that you have worked on in the past?
I enjoy a challenge and there is one client that we get to work with that, because of the complexity of the work, involves the design, supply, wire and install of all the components at this facility which includes power, containment, lighting, data, PLC works, toxic monitoring cabling and commissioning. There is a lot involved in it but that challenge makes the work a lot more interesting.
We also recently completed work on the new Douglas Laing offices at what is now known as Douglas House. With that project, we were able to do the full design of the installation and that was a challenge I enjoyed and got to play a big part in.
What is the most challenging part of what you do?
The high paced nature of the tenders and the tight return dates are a challenge but I think the biggest one is trying to interpret the requirements of the clients or designers. We always want to hit the nail on the head with what we deliver to customers but sometimes we are not given enough information, and other times too much; it is a balancing act trying to decipher their needs. As I am concerned, there is no replacement for experience and no way to skip or get past this fact. When you add this together with the experience of all my co-workers on the estimating team, there is not much we haven’t come across before. And that has been invaluable to what we do.
What is your background/experience?
I actually started out at HF as an apprentice electrician. I got to learn the trade working predominantly on industrial and commercial projects and then, when I passed my FICA test, I became an electrician. It wasn’t long before the company asked me to become an electrical estimator and work along side the team in the office. That was over 11 years ago. As part of that switch in career, I completed an HNC in electrical engineering attending night school which has helped open up more doors and possibilities for me at HF.
What do you most enjoy about working at HF?
Easy, the differing nature of the work that HF does means that no two days or two jobs are the same. I enjoy working with my colleagues and there is a good atmosphere in the office. HF values honesty and integrity and that lines up with my own values. It all means I look forward to coming into work every day because I know I will get a lot done but also have a pleasant experience while I work. HF values its reputation for the level of expertise that we offer and along with their high standards, it has helped contribute to my own career success and I hope that my accomplishments here have helped the company keep up this reputation.
HF’s family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We have diversified and developed abreast of industry advancements and have grown into a group of world-class companies leading the way in next-generation technologies; and all with a family continuity at management level which is rarely seen. With senior-level hands-on management from initial planning to final handover coupled with the opportunity to tap into a wide range of varied services and associated consultants, we can offer our customers unsurpassed levels of genuinely in-house capabilities.
If you would like to know more about HF and the range of services that we can offer across the UK through our branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen, please contact us.
With a record number of people now relying on food banks throughout the UK, we want to try and help our local community by giving back in more ways.
With a history as rich as ours in our local community and the values behind the company, we want to be a lot more active with charity fundraising and local community initiatives going forward that really bring value to those who need it.
And we have managed to start this new push in fine form with a food bank collection last week in our Glasgow and Edinburgh offices last week.
Collectively between the two branches, we managed to collect over 120kg of Pasta, Rice, Soup, Beans, Toothpaste, Toilet Roll and lots lots more which we could then drop off at both the Glasgow South East Food Bank and Edinburgh branch of The Salvation Army.
A massive thank you to the entire team at HF and our Mechanical & Electrical Division, Fire & Security, Telecommunications and Automated Controls Divisions.
Going forwards, we hope to do lots more food bank collections in all of our offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen so stay tuned for more updates as we try to help these vital local charities to collect the things that are so desperately needed for those that needed them most.
It is a silent killer that has serious risks for your health years down the line.
Construction workers die every week from lung disease caused by exposure to dust while many more will suffer from severe chronic long-term lung conditions.
Don’t make the same mistake as those who have worked unprotected and not realised the health risks of exposure to dust.
At HF, safety is always our priority. Individually and collectively, we are all responsible. It is one of our four guiding values as a company and we want to make sure that not just our team but all contractors working in an environment with dust are aware of the risks and know what to do to keep safe and be harm free.
With Electricians, Gas Engineers, Plumbers, Fire & Security Installers, Control Designers and Communication Riggers all working under the HF brand, our team are constantly working on construction sites where dust is an issue and we want to protect them from all forms of health and safety risks. And it is not just a concern on our part. From May this year, the inspectors at HSE will be visiting Construction Sites nationwide with a specific focus on dust control.
They will be checking that employers like ourselves (along with workers) know the risks, plan their work accordingly and are using the right controls and PPE to keep safe.
Always remember the hierarchy of controls:
1 – Eliminate the risks from dust with effective design and planning. For example, by using pre-cut materials where possible.
2 – Minimise the risks to your health by using suitable control measures.
3 – Be safe and wear an appropriate respiratory mask.
Why is dust so dangerous?
Dust on a construction site can lead to serious health risks. Regularly breathing dust over a long time can cause life changing lung disease. While we use the term ‘dust’ as a general description, there are actually three different types of dust:
Silica Dust which is found in materials such as concrete, mortar and sandstone.
Wood Dust which is created when working on construction sites when using MDF and plywood.
General Dust is the dust that is made from materials that contain very little or no silica.
What health issues can dust cause?
The main dust related diseases that can be harmful for those in a construction environment are:
Lung Cancer
Silicosis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Asthma
While most of the health issues related to dust exposure take years to develop, silicosis and asthma can affect construction workers much more quickly.
The reason that dust can be so harmful long term is that it builds up in your lungs and harms them gradually. This means that by the time that any health issues are detected, the damage has already been done.
In the UK, it is estimated that around 500 construction workers die from exposure to silica dust every year. To reduce this, we can implement various control methods to help protect our team on construction sites. This includes using silica free abrasives, controlling the spread of dust, minimising the number of people working on site when dust is an issue and using extraction tools to remove the dust. There is also Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) such as face masks but for them to work effectively, they have to be fitted correctly.
You can find out more about the health risks of dust and managing construction health risks using the link below:
At HF, we have four core values of Safety, Quality, People and Integrity and we are constantly pushing to ensure that these are delivered time and time again. At HF, we are an ambitious and diverse family of companies offering superior quality and exceptional customer service. Attracting and retaining the best talent creates positive returns and ensures we continue to make a significant contribution for our customers, staff, suppliers and communities.
Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. With senior-level hands-on management from initial planning to final handover coupled with the opportunity to tap into a wide range of varied services and associated consultants, we can offer our customers unsurpassed levels of genuinely in-house capabilities. All driven by the values that are instilled in our entire team across all the companies within HF as ‘A Company Well Connected’.
Answering the question – Are Fluorescent Bulbs Banned?
In recent years, there has been a global push toward more sustainable and energy-efficient lighting solutions.
This has led to a widespread shift from traditional incandescent bulbs (lamps) to more eco-friendly options like light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, a lingering question remains: Are fluorescent bulbs banned?
The Phasing Out of Incandescent Bulbs
Before delving into the status of fluorescent bulbs, it’s essential to understand the broader context of lighting regulations. The phasing out of incandescent bulbs, which are notorious for their energy inefficiency, began in earnest in the early years of the 2000’s. Governments worldwide recognised the need to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional lighting and as a result, many countries introduced legislation to ban or phase out incandescent bulbs gradually.
The Rise of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
To fill the void left by incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) gained popularity as an energy-efficient alternative. CFLs offered a significant improvement in energy efficiency compared to incandescents, with a typical CFL using 70-80% less energy and lasting up to 10 times longer.
However, CFLs also had their drawbacks. They contained small amounts of toxic mercury, which raised environmental concerns and made proper disposal crucial. Something that recycling in the UK is simply not equipped to provide properly.
The Advent of LED Lighting
The advent of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) marked a turning point in the world of lighting technology. LEDs offered several advantages over CFLs and incandescent bulbs. They were even more energy-efficient, lasted significantly longer (up to 25,000 hours or more), and did not contain hazardous materials like mercury. LED lighting also provided a broader range of colour temperatures, making it possible to mimic the warm, inviting glow of incandescents or achieve the bright, cool light preferred for task lighting.
The Transition Away from Fluorescent Bulbs
The rapid advancements in LED technology, coupled with their numerous advantages, led to a decline in the popularity of CFLs and fluorescent tubes. As a result, many consumers and businesses voluntarily made the switch to LED lighting.
Fluorescent bulbs usage has diminished significantly due to market forces and consumer preferences. However, there have been specific regulations in place to address the disposal of fluorescent bulbs safely, mainly due to their mercury content.
Recycling and Disposal of Fluorescent Bulbs
To mitigate the environmental impact of fluorescent bulbs, governments and environmental agencies have implemented strict regulations for their disposal. In many places, it is illegal to throw fluorescent bulbs in the regular bin. Instead, they must be recycled or disposed of properly at designated collection points.
Fluorescent bulbs have now been banned for sale in the UK but thanks to the emergence of more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly lighting technologies like LEDs, businesses can switch from fluorescent to LED, benefitting from sustainability and energy efficiency. If your business is still using fluorescent bulbs it is only a matter of time before you cannot source new lamps for them so you should consider upgrading to LED lighting for better energy efficiency and a greener future now. Call us today to find out more.
The Kilt Walk is one of the most well known and largest mass participation walking fundraising events in Scotland.
Having seen well over 100,000 participants take part in the event since 2016 (with years off due to Covid restrictions), this years Glasgow event, held on the 30th April saw our very own Dale McGeachy from HF Comms take part in the event alongside her sister. The pair entered in this years event to raise money for PIPS Hope & Support, a leading independent charity dealing with all aspects of suicide including prevention, postvention and trauma.
Dale and her sister managed to complete the mammoth distance of 22.7 miles in 7 hours. And while the walking may have caused them both sore feet, it has all been for a very important cause.
If you would like to know more about PIPS and donate to the JustGiving page that the sisters set up for the charity walk, please click the link below.
We are delighted to be contributing to Dales fundraising efforts and actively encourage others within HF to follow in her lead, embracing Charity fundraising opportunities and local volunteering work that benefits others. We are one team and consider all of our employees as part of the HF family and invaluable assets to our business. Which is why we continually invest in training, development and opportunities that allow the entire team to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
As a multi service 24 hour call out contractor dealing in Electrical, Mechanical and Fire & Security work, every day of the year can present our team with challenges.
With call outs coming through at any hour of any day of the year, we are always ready to help our customer deal with things like electrical faults, boiler problems and intruder alarms. Over Bank Holiday weekends however (like we have just had), the importance of our work becomes even more invaluable for sectors like hospitality who depend so heavily on weekends like this.
So with the recent bank holiday weekend now past, we wanted to share some examples of the work our electricians, mechanical contractors and fire & security engineers have had to deal with over the long weekend.
Electrical issues for a Hotel Chain
A hotel had electrical problems with one specific room in their hotel. Because the hotel was fully booked for the weekend, they needed it fixed fast. There was no power going to the lights in the room and luckily for the hotel, the issue was spotted before guests had arrived. Our Electricians were dispatched and managed to repair the issue within just two hours of the call meaning that the business was able to keep the booking and did not loose any trade over the busy bank holiday period.
No power to the dishwasher
During the busy bank holiday weekend, bars across the city are very very busy meaning the turnover of drinking glasses is incredibly high. For this busy city centre pub however, their dishwasher stopped working on Saturday meaning that they could not keep pace with the demand for clean drinking glasses – vital for any pub in Scotland. Our electricians quickly managed to identify a fault with the RCBO, replaced it and made sure that everything was working a-okay with the dishwasher before departing.
A lack of hot water in the hotel
Who doesn’t love a nice hot shower or a steaming hot bath? For one hotel, that was a problem because a rod stat in the heating system had stopped working. This meant that 8 of their bedrooms were not getting any hot water at all. Our Mechanical team were able to identify the fault, repair the issue and ensure that all the rooms had hot water again quickly.
Electrical lighting problems
Emergency lighting is critical for the safety of those within a building to safely evacuate in the event of an emergency. So when a large retail site developed a fault with their emergency lighting on one of the floors of their building, it needed to be fixed quickly. Our Fire & Security team were quickly dispatched and identified an electrical fault that was causing the issue with the lighting. The fault was fixed and the building was able to continue operating as per usual.
These are just a taste of the kind of work that our Electricians, Mechanical Contractors and Fire & Security Engineers deal with week in, week out at HF. We provide one of the leading 24 hour contractor call out services across the UK for businesses looking for urgent electrical, mechanical and fire & security repairs.
Peace of mind – no matter the time
We can provide our clients across the UK with the peace of mind that our trained, qualified and certified engineers are always only ever a phone call away from fixing your issue. And when we mean 24 hours service. We really mean it. No matter the time of day or month of the year, our team is on standby.
Unrivalled levels of in-house capabilities & service in everything we do.
The name HF occupies an unprecedented position in industry across the UK. We are ‘A Company Well Connected’ and within HF we have Electricians, Mechanical Contractors, Plumbers, Gas Engineers, Fire & Security Engineers, Telecommunications Specialists and Automated Control Engineers who collectively allow us to offer our customers so many varied services – all under one roof.
With senior-level hands-on management from initial planning to final handover coupled with the opportunity to tap into a wide range of varied services and associated consultants, we can offer our customers unsurpassed levels of genuinely in-house capabilities. And you can see evidence of this through the countless case studies on our website by clicking this link.
Supporting the upcoming Sports Week at Pollokshields Primary School
We have always been keen to support the local community around which our offices have become something of a landmark. So when Pollokshields Primary School contacted us looking for help in funding for their upcoming Sports Week, we were more than happy to help.
Located an almost literal stones throw away from our Head Office in the South Side of Glasgow, Pollokshields Primary School are organising an activity packed Sports Week for their Primary 7 year this summer. With all sorts of sports being organised, our donation, along with many others donated by local businesses in the area, will go towards the purchasing of sports equipment to be used on the day as well as healthy food and drinks for all those participating.
School Sports are not just an important way of staying active; they can be used to improve students self-esteem, teach them the value of team work, make new friends and help them gain confidence that can have direct benefits in the classroom. We are delighted to be helping the local school with their fundraising because, just like so many of the charities and causes we support, we can see a direct benefit to those involved.
Due to run in the middle of June, we wish all those participating a fun and active week. And here is hoping they get the weather for it.
Over the years, there has frustratingly been a lot of ingenuity in robberies.
It may be a strange thing to say but to a certain extent, we can be thankful for this creativity because it has helped to push the intruder alarm market forwards. It has meant that home and business security systems have had to constantly evolve and adapt to the creative new ways that burglars have come up with to work around your properties security. One of the best examples of this is the bell boxes for intruder alarms.
The original bell boxes, known as vented bell boxes had one weakness. And that was through the vents on the side of the bell box. Thieves would use builders expanding foam injected directly through the vents of the bell box to muffle the sound of the alarm bells within the device from ringing. These older bell boxes still used actual bells to generate their alarm sound so the expanding foam massively reduced their ability to ring out loud.
Commonly referred to in the trade as ‘Stuff & Cut’; the bell box would be stuffed with foam and the phone line to the property would be cut so that the alarm didn’t ring to the police. Even bell boxes made around this time that didn’t have vents were susceptible to this attack. Only with these non vented bell boxes, the burglar had to drill a hole through the box with a handheld drill to fill the inside of the alarm with foam.
Over time, this problem was rectified (to a point) with metal bell boxes that burglars were unable to drill through (without creating enough racket that the alarm wouldn’t have been required anyway). However as many owners of these types of bell box will well remember, the metal cases rusted causing an unsightly aesthetic on the side of their property.
What we now have in the intruder alarm sector is a bell box that has evolved to overcome the creative attempts of thieves to beat the system. An illuminated, shatterproof polycarbonate construction with 3 way tamper protection, drill proof protective inner casing, weather proofing and high performance 104db audible alarm have all been designed to create a bell box that can fend off unwanted intruders.
Crime unfortunately is a daily fact of life. With burglary a major factor for home and business owners, knowing that your property is safe and secure should not be taken lightly. Modern intruder alarms have been developed through real world experience over the decades to provide a vital deterrent against burglars.
At HF, we can design your alarm system to suit your homes needs and offer you the very best in home alarm system services. We offer a fully customisable home alarm system design, installation and maintenance package so that your home, your possessions, your pets and your loved ones are secure.
Modern intruder alarm systems operate on cloud servers and as well as providing a deterrent to burglars, they can connect with smoke alarms, detect flooding and control smart devices such as Ring Door Bells. All while being easily managed via mobile apps.
If you would like to know more about home or business intruder alarms, please contact us today.
On the fourth Thursday in April, it is Bring your Daughter to Work day!
Originally an American celebrated day that encourages parents to bring their children to work, it is slowly but surely becoming more and more popular in the UK as well.
At HF, we manage to go further than just bringing your daughter to work for the day. Across the entire group, we have multiple family members working side by side at our offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen. And this year, we wanted to celebrate the newest addition to this story.
Diane is our Office Manager in HF Comms and has been an integral part of the team for nearly a decade. At the beginning of 2023, we got to welcome her daughter Dionne into the HF family having also joined us in HF Comms. So we sat down with the both of them to find out what it is like working together in the competitive telecommunications sector so far.
So Diane. What is it like working alongside your daughter?
Depending on how you look at it, we don’t work directly together in the office so that actually helps keep a balance. Dionne’s desk is on another floor from mine so we can actually go an entire day without seeing each other. That being said, it is really nice to have her here and we get to spend quite a few lunch breaks together during the working week. It actually allows me to see more of her now than I normally get to so I am delighted that she is here. She may have only started working at HF this year but so far she is really enjoying life at at the company so all is good.
Is it hard being a parent one minute and a co-worker the next?
Because we don’t work on the same floor, I have not had that issue yet but I’ll be making sure that she is kept busy and there is no slacking. HF demands a high working standard so I will be keeping an eye on her (as all Mothers generally do).
Dionne. Welcome to HF. What is it like working alongside your Mum?
As my Mum said, because we don’t work in the same office, it probably makes things a bit easier. It was a bit daunting when I first started working here but it is really nice having my Mum working in the same office environment. I know I can turn to her for advice which is comforting and being able to spend time with her on lunch breaks is great fun. It has been a great experience so far.
Working at HF
While it may seem silly to some that we mark an American celebrated day like ‘Bring your Daughter to Work Day’, to us, our family culture is very important to our ongoing success. It means much more than dates and numbers and is quite literally, the core of the business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. Which is why we continually invest in training and development, allowing the entire team to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
With such a rich company history and offices across the UK, the workplace culture within HF is always about the collective success of the company. With this shared working goal and close collaboration between the different divisions of HF, it is little wonder why our company tagline is ‘A Company Well Connected’.
Employees working at HF get to work across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects. We make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
If you would like to know more about what it is like working at HF and the potential to make a career here, please click here.
On Wednesday the HF offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen were all treated to a true feast of food for all the staff working in Electrical, Mechanical, Fire & Security, Telecommunications and Automated Controls.
The lunch was organised by the HF Social Committee as a fund raising event to help raise money for MIND. The charity focussed on helping people in the UK deal with mental health problems and supporting those who help in this endeavour.
Pizza, pasta, sausage rolls, cheese, meats, fruit, veg, sweets…..whatever office it was, the HF team were able to take part in a great feast. And all for a great cause.
Mind is a charity devoted to fighting mental health. They support by offering help whenever people may need it through information, advice and local services.
At HF, we consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. So we continually invest in training and development, allowing the entire team to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment. And with events like this, it allows the members of our different divisions to get together, mingle and have some fun during lunch.
If you like the sound of that and would like to join the HF family, we are always looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals who want to take the next step in their career with a solid foundation and real scope to grow in the company. Check out the current career opportunities that we have at HF using the link below.
We have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promises unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We are currently looking to recruit a Purchase Ledger Coordinator to join our Glasgow branch.
Salary negotiable upon experience circa £21-£24k per annum.
Hours of work Monday – Thursday 08:30 – 16:45, Friday 08:30 – 16:00
The Position
You will have strong administration experience, excellent communication and numerical skills and be happy to work in a team alongside like-minded individuals working to strict deadlines.
This is a long-term position with flexible working arrangements in our Glasgow branch.
The Role
Main Responsibilities include:
Invoice and credit note posting for the HF Group in accordance with procedures to include dealing with any queries.
Account maintenance – to open any new accounts in accordance with procedures and ensure that the database is kept up to date at all times.
Reconcile statements
Providing administrative support to the accounts department.
Chasing and updating out of date subcontractor insurances and putting accounts on stop
Dealing with general purchase ledger enquiries.
Liaising with suppliers and management regarding any queries
Additional Responsibilities
Answer incoming calls
Filing data and perform other routine clerical tasks as required
Operate a variety of standard office machines; computer / telephone / photocopier / printer etc.
What you need
Smart and tidy appearance
Excellent communication skills
Comprehensive numerical skills
Good time-management skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work on own initiative
Willingness to learn
Friendly, patient and polite nature
Working for HF Group
The HF Group is a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK. Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
The benefit to us? Excellent staff retention and length of service rates. And to our clients? The reassurance of the best possible service, throughout every aspect of their communications with us.
Working across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects, we make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
Benefits/Additional Perks
Private Medical Cover
Critical Illness Cover
Auto Enrolment Pension
Death in Service Insurance
Perkbox Subscriptions
No Agencies please
To apply for this role or for to be considered for further roles at HF Group, please contact:
HR Manager
HF Group
100 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2SJ
enclosing your CV and current salary
or e-mail: personnel@hf-group.co.uk
(Online application forms available upon request)
HF is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company’s receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a job vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to volume only successful candidates will be contacted.
Job Title: Fire Security Engineer Location: Glasgow Salary: Negotiable upon experience
We have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promises unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We are currently looking to recruit a Fire Security Engineer to join our HF Fire & Security Division.
The position
Responsibilities will include the Installation & Maintenance of various Fire & Security systems.
Working for HF Group
The HF Group is a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK. Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
The benefit to us? Excellent staff retention and length of service rates. And to our clients? The reassurance of the best possible service, throughout every aspect of their communications with us.
Working across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects, we make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
Benefits/Additional Perks
Private Medical Cover
Critical Illness Cover
Auto Enrolment Pension
Death in Service Insurance
Perkbox Subscriptions
No Agencies please
To apply for this role or for to be considered for further roles at HF Group, please contact:
HR Manager
HF Group
100 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2SJ
enclosing your CV and current salary or e-mail: Melanie.Higgs@hf-group.co.uk (Online application forms available upon request)
HF is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company’s receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a job vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to volume only successful candidates will be contacted.
The HF team were at Old Trafford this week taking part in the Manchester Job Fair.
We are always looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals who want to take the next step in their career with a solid foundation and real scope to grow in the company. And jobs fairs like this is a great way for us to reach a new audience of people looking for a change of career or to start a new one.
Whether it be those wanting to know more about apprentice programmes at HF in Electrical, Mechanical or Fire & Security, those wanting a switch in career in the telecommunications sector or something office based in our branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen, we have a variety of positions currently open for those looking for unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
If you missed the event, you can still browse the current opportunities we have at HF and our branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen by clicking here.
We have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promises unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We are currently looking to recruit a Contracts Manager to join our Electrical division working out of our Edinburgh Branch.
Salary negotiable upon experience. In addition, a car allowance will be provided where applicable.
The Position
You will have strong administration experience, excellent communication and numerical skills and be happy to work in a team alongside like-minded individuals working to strict deadlines.
This is a long-term position with flexible working arrangements in our Edinburgh branch.
The Role
The successful candidate will be required to complete the following daily tasks:
Managing engineers and admin staff
Management of reactive maintenance & PPM’s
Accurate pricing of quotations
Maintain positive client customer relationship through excellent service levels, value for money provision and proactive communication.
Ensure all KPIs are measured and delivered in line with client’s expectations.
Support and develop your team to ensure the highest professional standards are achieved at all times
Support all staff members in maintaining the company’s professional and corporate accreditations
Skill Set and Experience
Qualified Electrician with knowledge or experience in Reactive Maintenance & FM services
Knowledge and experience of contract admin and commercially aware of financial elements for project delivery
Computer literacy essential, Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word etc
Working for HF Group
The HF Group is a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK. Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
The benefit to us? Excellent staff retention and length of service rates. And to our clients? The reassurance of the best possible service, throughout every aspect of their communications with us.
Working across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects, we make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
Benefits/Additional Perks
Private Medical Cover
Critical Illness Cover
Auto Enrolment Pension
Death in Service Insurance
Perkbox Subscriptions
No Agencies please
To apply for this role or for to be considered for further roles at HF Group, please contact:
HR Manager
HF Group
100 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2SJ
enclosing your CV and current salary
or e-mail: personnel@hf-group.co.uk
(Online application forms available upon request)
HF is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company’s receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a job vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to volume only successful candidates will be contacted.
There is only one week to go until the Edinburgh Jobs Fair and HF will be attending.
Following our recent appearance at the recent Glasgow Jobs Fair, we will also be attending the Edinburgh Jobs Fair. Held at Tynecastle Park Stadium, home to Hearts Football Club, the Edinburgh Jobs Fair will take place between 10am and 1pm. With various local and national employers all looking to find enthusiastic and driven people to join their team, the Jobs Fair is a great opportunity for recruiters to talk directly about their vacancies to job seekers. We will once again have a stand at the show and members of the HF team will be out in force to talk all about not just the current job opening we have at the company but the type of work we do, the opportunities to build a career here and what we are looking for in potential new members of the HF family.
Why are we attending The Jobs Fair.
As ‘A Company Well Connected’, HF provides everything from electrical to mechanical, fire & security, telecommunications and control systems. We are always on the look out for enthusiastic individuals to join us and events like The Jobs Fair offer us a great opportunity to find new talent to join the team and help spread the word of HF. Having attended our first jobs fair in Glasgow in February, we are eager to attend the Edinburgh event to discuss what we can offer to job seekers who are looking for more than just a job – they are looking for a career.
Are you going?
If you are attending The Jobs Fair and would like to speak to us then simply come along to our stand and introduce yourself. We can talk about the specific job roles that we are looking for and should we not be advertising a current position that you would be interested in, that doesn’t mean that we don’t want to hear from you.
At HF, we are always looking for enthusiastic and skilled talent to join us. We are a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK and consider all of our employees as part of that family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment. If this sounds like something that you want to be a part of in the future, we would love to hear from you. Simply fill in the form below and we will make sure that should any future opportunities open up, we will be able to contact you directly.
Manchester Jobs Fair
While the Edinburgh Jobs Fair is next up, we will also be attending the Manchester Jobs Fair in April. With branches across the UK, it is important to us to meet potential new members of HF face to face which is why we will be at Old Trafford Stadium on the 12th April for the Manchester Jobs Fair event as well.
A team building day out for members of our Comms Team
Team Building is a vital part of any modern business; encouraging a team to work together towards a common goal.
The larger the team, the more important it is for activities such as team building to help create a strong bond and connections within the team.
Day in day out, our Telecommunications team of highly skilled engineers work on ground breaking communications contracts across the world. Communication and teamwork is vital to our success and while the Covid pandemic caused a break in any team building exercise that we may have liked to have done over the last few years, we were thrilled to be able to get back out their last week. A number of the HF Comms team stepped away from their desks for the day and swapped it for the rough and tumble of ‘Exercise Deep Heat’!!!
Exercise Deep Heat is a military style exercise designed for those wanting to develop their leadership and management skills by using developed military leadership practises.
Screenshot 2023-03-14 092739
ex deep heat 5
ex deep heat 4
EX deep heat 3
ex deep heat 2
EX DEEP HEAT 1
ex deep heat 11
Ex deep heat 10
Ex deep heat 9
ex deep heat 8
ex deep heat 7
ex deep heat 6
Over two days, 11 members of the HF Comms team took part in the training and as you can see from the photos, they were put through their paces in what was a fun filled day out that ultimately helped strengthen the bond between team members in the company.
What some of the team had to say about the day
“The day was well run with a nice variety of challenges. I enjoyed the chance to get to know the members of the HF team I hadn’t really had a chance to speak to in the office and working with people from other business backgrounds to complete the challenges.”
“I really liked being outside of my comfort zone in some of the tasks and pushing myself in a role of responsibility.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and would defiantly recommend this for team building. I enjoyed the variety of tasks and challenges that we were set. The task and challenges helped me gain more confidence within myself.”
Special thanks have to be given to the Lowland RFCA (The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association) for running the event. The organisation was excellent, the food was good and the overall feeling from everyone involved was that the event was a roaring success.
There are few areas of industry as fast-moving as the Communications sector.
Certainly, there are few as competitive. In this climate, HF Comms has grown and developed almost as quickly as the sector itself. And we recognise that simply to be abreast of technologies is no longer good enough. Operating across the UK, we delivery engineering, design, construction and project management services for a full range of telecommunications services. All proudly delivered by our Comms team who provide knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to all the projects that we deliver.
Greg Madine, Managing Director of HF Comms, explains:
“We have the technology and skills sets from within our group and the drive to deliver. For any problem there is always a solution. We don’t like failure. There has to be a way.”
If you would like to know more about our Telecommunication Services, examples of the work we have done in this sector or if you have any questions about bespoke services that you may be looking for, please call our head office in Glasgow on 0800 783 9480 or email info@hf-group.co.uk.
As we come to the end of Scottish Apprentice Week, we get to cap the week off by giving five of our current apprentices an amazing Stanley Toolbox Set as part of an internal raffle that we have been running at HF.
We have entered the names of all of our 1st and 2nd Year Apprentices that work for HF in our Electrical, Mechanical and Fire & Security Divisions into a random wheel selector to determine the lucky winners and presented the prize to each of them individually this morning to finish off the week.
The prizes, kindly donated to us by Rexel and their Seafield Branch in Edinburgh is a Stanley Toolkit complete with Screwdriver set, measuring tape, spirit level, cutting knife and hammer. All of which can then be stored in a Stanley Tool box.
Stanley Tools are one of the most well known brands in the industry and are used by professional contractors the world over. Trusted for accuracy and dependability, these toolkits will make an excellent addition to the kit that our apprentices currently use while working for HF. While Rexel are one of the leading wholesale electrical distributors in the UK specializing in the distribution of electrical, heating, lighting and plumbing equipment.
Apprenticeships at HF
If you are looking for more than just a job and want to build a career then at HF you can do just that. One that promises unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We have so many success stories within HF; from the almost endless number of electrical apprentices who have forged successful, long spanning careers with us, to those who have moved from one division of HF to another as they grow and seek new challenges. At HF, we consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our business. We continually invest in training and development programmes, allowing the entire team to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity for us to highlight the importance of apprentices in what we do. A huge part of our success has always been through our apprentice programme. We are incredibly proud of this apprentice programme which has seen so many of our young apprentices successfully continue their career into full time positions within the company, either as Electricians, Mechanical Contractors or as one of our Fire & Security team.
We are always looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join us. So if you are interested in apprentice programmes in Electrical, Mechanical or Fire & Security services, use the link below to find out more about the current opportunities in areas near our branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen.
We have sat down with a selection of the women at HF to ask them some questions about what International Women’s Day means to them.
Angela King – Senior Project Coordinator, HF Comms
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I find it quite empowering and a great example of how far we have come both in business and in day to day life. Having a day to celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness is fantastic.
Why did you choose a career in Telecommunications?
It is a great industry to work in and is something completely different. I wanted to have a career that was rewarding, demanding and fast paced and with telecommunications I was lucky enough to find that. There is always so much happening in the sector and with the upgrade to 5G, it presents new challenges that keeps things fresh. I can clearly see the work that I do here and how that translates into the final solution we deliver for our clients – and that is very rewarding.
Why is it important for more women to take up career in Telecommunication in the future?
There should be more women working in the telecommunications sector and there is no reason why there shouldn’t be more. Anyone can do it, just like in so many professions, you just need to have the smarts to work in this field. If you want to have a real career with real progression opportunities, working on things that have real benefits then this is a great career choice.
Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you in your career?
To be honest I don’t have any ‘famous’ role models in my life. I much prefer to gain strength from those around me both at work and in my personal life. At HF Comms, there are some great women role model right here in my office. Women who are very driven and determined and have climbed the ladder very quickly. As I said before, if you have the smarts, telecommunications is a great career choice and seeing other women in the company demonstrate that day in day out is very inspiring.
What advice would you give to a woman thinking of starting a career in Telecommunications?
Simply that they should give it a try. There is lots to learn obviously and it is a fast moving industry but as long as you can apply yourself, it is a fascinating sector to be involved in. There are are great career opportunities here so if you have the determination, don’t let anyone put you off – give it a go.
Claire Mitchell – Accountant, HF Group
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Celebrating women, our achievements and how far we have come in driving gender equality and equal opportunities across the world.
What barriers have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
I didn’t actually study for my accountancy qualification until I was in my mid 30’s. I was struggling to move forward in my career as I had experience but not a full accountancy qualification and that closed many doors. So I decided to invest in myself and study for my ACCA qualification which created more opportunities for me and gave me the confidence to go after them.
Why did you choose a career in accountancy?
My mum was a secondary school teacher who taught Accounts and Economics and she always wanted me to follow in her footsteps an be a teacher. But it just wasn’t something I wanted to do. However I did inherit her interest in accounts and it was something that I enjoyed and did best at in school. I initially took a slightly different path, but ended up working in accountancy after a few years and have been doing so for 25 year now.
Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you in your career?
I don’t really have one role model who inspired me. I’ve always been surrounding by strong independent women, whether it be my Mum, Aunts or friends who shown that if you work hard you can achieve anything you want in life and fulfil your potential. Only you can hold yourself back.
What advice would you give to a woman thinking of a career in accountancy?
I would advise them to work hard and be open to any opportunities that come your way and try to create opportunities for yourself. Having a qualification isn’t essential but will give you more opportunities. Sometimes you go down a path you don’t expect. I’ve worked in Legal, Insolvency and now at HF and it is very different to what I have done before. It keeps life interesting!
It means recognising equality for women in working life as well as in personal life. It means celebrating equality, achievements and the boundaries broken by women every day. I feel it is important to remember the journey that women have fought through in the past so that I can be here now sitting at the table with men.
What barriers have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
I don’t believe I have faced many due to my gender. Luckily things have changed in the UK during the years before I was entering the workplace and we were already on the way to equal opportunities etc. There is clearly lots of improvements that still need to be made but I am fortunate that I have not come across any of the more common barriers that a lot of women in business come across.
Why did you choose this career path?
I’ve always pushed myself and taken opportunities I’ve been offered to develop my skills and knowledge. I wanted to work in an industry which is fast paced and there is lots to learn. And that is exactly what I get right now.
Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you in your career?
Many of my friends and family who have worked hard for their career and have pushed boundaries and achieved so much success – most of them have interesting and important jobs and it is inspiring watching them succeed and make great changes in their industries.
Why is it important for more women to take up a career in Telecommunications?
It is a growing industry which is exciting and has so many different varied roles. Woman are welcome and can thrive in this industry. You can see quite a few examples of it in this very company. If you have the talent and the drive then the sky is the limit in comms.
Eva Szobel – Mechanical Service Team, HF Mechanical & Electrical
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It is the celebration of equality. Not against men or anyone else but together with others.
What barriers have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
In the past, I have come across a lot of Micromanagement. I feel you can fight this by providing a constant quality of work and that usually solves it. If that doesn’t work, talking to the person micromanaging you helps. It allows you to see if there’s a specific reason for them doing this. There are a lot of unconscious bias traits that people are unaware of and sometimes simply highlighting this to them is the answer. Once they realise it, they can address the problem.
Why did you choose this career path?
Really simple answer – because I felt I’d enjoy it and I’d be good at it. There are challenges, deadlines and a lot of people depending on you but that gives the role a unique aspect which I like.
Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you in your career?
There was a previous manager I got to work with who was more like a mentor to a lot of us in the company. They always had time for everyone, always happy to teach you, and as much as she was a successful businesswoman she always remained human. She prioritized and valued her employees over everything else. Somehow she managed to remain a part of the team while leading it and because of Covid I never had the opportunity to learn this from her…
Why is it important for more women to take up a career in Mechanical, Electrical & Fire & Security in the future?
I don’t think the emphasis should be on more women making a career in this specific industry (or more men in industries traditionally viewed as ‘feminine’). I think what’s more important is that we stop seeing a man or a woman and start seeing accomplishments and opportunities. If we manage to do this the playing field will level itself out.
“Working for a company with such a long history, today allows us to look back and celebrate how far women have come in business; but also what we still need to improve upon. Electrical, Mechanical and Fire & Security have always been industries with a gender imbalance and lot of stereotypical views associated to it but I am proud we are improving on this every year as we take on more female employees and apprentices in what are historically male led sectors. At HF, we are an ambitious and diverse family of companies offering superior quality and exceptional customer service. Attracting and retaining the best talent creates positive returns and ensures we continue to make a significant contribution for our customers, staff, suppliers and communities. International Women’s Day is a clear reminder that regardless of what industry you work in and no matter your gender, if you have the drive, determination and ability then you can achieve what you want to achieve.”
We have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promise unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We are currently looking to recruit a Fleet Co-Ordinator to join us based out of Glasgow branch.
Salary negotiable upon experience. £24,000 – £26,000
You will have strong administration experience, excellent communication and numerical skills and be happy to work in a team alongside like-minded individuals working to strict deadlines.
This is a long-term position with flexible working arrangements in our Glasgow branch.
The Role
Hire all vehicles across various HF Divisions including Electrical, Mechanical, Fire & Security and Controls, raising all monthly van PO’s, receipting and dealing with related invoices.
Ensuring Insurance database is kept up to date with vehicles and drivers.
Ensuring that operatives are eligible to drive company vehicles
Tracking and issuing fuel cards
Dealing with any fines and ensuring deductions are done
Dealing with the Company vehicle insurance / logging / tracking and see claims process through and ensuring that negligent damages are recovered from the employee
Updating the van spreadsheet / fuel costs / average mileage and producing average fuel cost report
Carrying out van spot checks and liaising with managers in other offices to carry out van spot checks
Dealing with any driver complaints from the public
Maintaining Tracker website and accuracy of vehicle allocation. Performing spot checks
Servicing & MOT tracking & organisation
Travel, accommodation, Hotels.
Additional Responsibilities
Answer incoming calls
Filing data and perform other routine clerical tasks as required
Operate a variety of standard office machines; computer / telephone / photocopier / printer etc.
What you need
Smart and tidy appearance
Excellent communication skills
Comprehensive numerical skills
Good time-management skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work on own initiative
Willingness to learn
Friendly, patient and polite nature
Working for HF Group
The HF Group is a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK. Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
The benefit to us? Excellent staff retention and length of service rates. And to our clients? The reassurance of the best possible service, throughout every aspect of their communications with us.
Working across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects, we make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
Benefits/Additional Perks
Private Medical Cover
Critical Illness Cover
Auto Enrolment Pension
Death in Service Insurance
Perkbox Subscriptions
No Agencies please
To apply for this role or for to be considered for further roles at HF Group, please contact:
HR Manager
HF Group
100 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2SJ
enclosing your CV and current salary
or e-mail: personnel@hf-group.co.uk
(Online application forms available upon request)
HF is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company’s receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a job vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to volume only successful candidates will be contacted.
We have an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join the HF family in a permanent role that promise unique challenges, a varied workload and great career progression opportunities within the company.
We are currently looking to recruit a Business Support Administrator to join our Mechanical & Electrical Division based out of Glasgow branch.
You will have strong administration experience, excellent communication and numerical skills and be happy to work in a team alongside like-minded individuals working to strict deadlines.
This is a long-term position with flexible working arrangements in our Glasgow branch.
The Role
Providing the administrative support for one of our key accounts – invoicing, management of customer portal and other related administrative duties
Main Responsibilities include:
Using client systems to cost, invoice and close jobs
Monitoring client and HF systems to ensure all jobs are logged and none missed
Liaising with client and HF service staff to resolve any issues
Raising all jobs for Planned works, monitoring progress through to completion and chasing service team to ensure works completed on time.
Additional Responsibilities
Answer incoming calls
Prepare documents and photo’s for completed works in readiness for return to client
Assist with uploading reports / worksheets to client portals
Filing data and perform other routine clerical tasks as required
Operate a variety of standard office machines; computer / telephone / photocopier / printer etc.
What you need
Smart and tidy appearance
Excellent communication skills
Comprehensive numerical skills
Good time-management skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work on own initiative
Willingness to learn
Friendly, patient and polite nature
Working for HF Group
The HF Group is a family run collection of companies and services with branches across the UK. Our family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. We consider all of our employees as part of the family and invaluable assets to our ongoing success. We continually invest in training, refresher courses and development for our team that allows everyone in the HF family to share in a thriving and mutually supportive working environment.
The benefit to us? Excellent staff retention and length of service rates. And to our clients? The reassurance of the best possible service, throughout every aspect of their communications with us.
Working across a variety of business sectors in exciting, ground-breaking projects, we make sure that new members who join the HF family join us with a clearly defined development path that is supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support from our senior level management team.
Benefits/Additional Perks
Private Medical Cover
Critical Illness Cover
Auto Enrolment Pension
Death in Service Insurance
Perkbox Subscriptions
No Agencies please
To apply for this role or for to be considered for further roles at HF Group, please contact:
HR Manager
HF Group
100 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2SJ
enclosing your CV and current salary
or e-mail: personnel@hf-group.co.uk
(Online application forms available upon request)
HF is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company’s receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a job vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to volume only successful candidates will be contacted.
In the fast paced environment of Fire & Security where new technological advances mean that CCTV, Intruder Alarms, Access Control Systems and Fire Detection Systems are becoming more sophisticated, it is important for our Fire & Security team to keep abreast of the latest developments in the industry.
So today we were delighted to welcome Paxton to the HF office in Glasgow to talk us through their latest innovations in access control systems.
Paxton are one of the leading design and manufacturers of access control security systems in the UK, utilising the latest in technology to provide customers like ourselves with the latest in cutting edge security systems.
At HF Fire & Security, we are backed up with NSI Gold and NSI Fire Gold accreditation so that we can operate to the highest possible industry standard and guidelines across the UK and being aware of the latest in technological developments in the Fire & Security sector is critical so that we can advise our customers on the very best solution for their business needs.
What are access control systems?
In the Fire & Security Sector, Access Control Systems are predominantly been used as a security measure to keep non-authorised personnel out of restricted areas. Whether that be restrictions on who can access a building or who can enter certain areas of a facility, the system has always predominantly been about security access. There is however so much more to Access Control Systems and with the ever changing landscape of the office working environment with hybrid working models and the latest in security software solutions, Access Control Systems can offer real benefits to businesses that need help in managing and monitoring a lot more in their daily business activities beyond just security. There are a number of ways that Access Control Systems can benefit a business beyond just controlling access. This includes:
Contactless Clock In/Clock Out Systems
Facial recognition software allows access control systems to double up as a clock in/clock out system for your business to monitor staff movement, punctuality and arrival/leaving times. With hybrid working meaning that staff can be more fluid with when they come into the office, access control systems can create a better workplace data stream for staff attendance (vital for fire alarm drills and emergency building evacuation).
Thermal Screening
Thanks to the latest in thermal camera technology, we can now install and set up safer, smarter, faster temperature screening cameras for business premises. The advanced detector camera and algorithm systems of modern Temperature Screening Thermographic Cameras that we install are designed to visually detect elevated body temperatures. What can this mean for businesses? A thermal screening camera interlinked with security door systems can prevent staff members who are showing a high temperature from entering a building. This can help prevent the spread of diseases and cut down on staff sick days.
Eco Savings
Access control systems can be synced with businesses heating systems and office lighting in order to increase energy efficiency and cut down on unwanted waste energy in areas of a facility with nobody in them. Access control systems can ensure that lights are turned off and the heating is turned down in office spaces that are empty. These small energy savings on a day to day basis can quickly add up to very big energy savings for a business over the course of a financial year!
Fire Safety
Access control systems with clock in/clock out access can be used in the event of a fire. With hybrid working models, knowing who is present in the office in the event of a fire is vital. Access control systems can register who is in the office through the clock in/clock out system which can be used at Fire Meeting Points to check which staff are present and which are not.
Staff Rotas
The pandemic has led to many businesses introducing rota systems to ensure that in the event of a covid-19 outbreak in the company, it does not spread to every employee. Access Control Systems can prevent staff from breaking this rota system by restricting them access to the building on the set days that they should NOT be in the building. This same set up can be used for other purposes as an effective way of controlling access to a site that fits around the business needs.
Access control systems can operate on key cards, fobs and through facial recognition. All while easily being activated/deactivated should a key card be lost or stolen or an employee leaves the company. They can grow with your business and be scaled not just with company growth of facilities size but also with the employee status of individuals within the company.
If you would like to know more about Access Control Systems and our range of Fire & Security Services, examples of the work we have done or if you have any questions about bespoke services we offer to meet for your individual needs, please call us today on 0800 783 9480 or email info@hf-group.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Upgrading a homes central heating system is not just about deciding on the power output of the boiler required or the efficiency levels that are stated. It also requires knowing what water flow rate you currently have.
More often than not, water flow rates are left to last because the specs of the boiler are to most, more appealing. However if you have a boiler fitted that has a flow rate higher than what your home can supply, your boiler will never work at its stated capability and your home will be heated inefficiently.
The amount of water that is able to flow through your combi boiler is restricted by the volume of water that can be supplied by the water mains themself. This means that if you have a boiler with an optimum flow rate of 15 litres per minute (combi boilers need at least 10 litres per minute flow rate to operate) but the mains supply flow rate is only 11 litres per minute, it means that the mains water supply to the boiler is simply not enough to maximise the output of your combi boiler.
If a 24kW combi boiler can deliver 10 litres of hot water per minute at a temperature lift of 35oC while a 40kW combi boiler can deliver 16.5 litres of hot water at a temperature lift of 35oC; if the mains water supply can only supply 12 litres of water per minute then the 40kW boiler is simply not able to work properly.
A combi boiler requires good incoming water pressure and a good internal flow rate in order to operate correctly. Because of the history of existing infrastructure in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, mains water pressure is frequently reducing in most areas and new homes are built that tap into existing pipelines. As a result of this, more and more homes begin to suffer from low water flow rates. And this can have a big impact on what type of combi boiler you can have fitted.
To overcome this, you can have a pump installed into your water mains supply to help boost the pressure but push pumps are designed to push water, not pull it so you still need to ensure that you have a sufficient supply of water from the mains. Push Pumps are limited to 12 litres per minute to ensure that they do not damage the existing infrastructure and you can install a break tank with a push/pull pump fitted to increase your flow rate but this is a big investment. Your standard 3 bedroom home would require a 200 litre break tank!
How Flow Rate Works with Heating Water
The hot water flow rate is calculated as litres per minute (LPM). This indicates the speed at which your combi boiler can heat water that is supplied to the taps of your bath, shower, sink etc. Because of the different mains water pressure and varying boilers on the market, your hot water flow rates on combi boilers is anywhere from 9.8 LPM to 25LPM. As a boiler installer, it is part of our job to calculate your hot water requirements using how many bathrooms you have and how often you need to use them at the same time.
For example, a single bathroom property only requires a small combi boiler installed with a flow rate of around 10 LPM. In bigger properties with two or three bedrooms, you need to have a higher hot water flow rate to cope with demand should the shower be used at the same time as the hot tap in the kitchen sink. With more than 100 different models of combi boiler currently on the market, it is easy to see how so many home owners can get lost in choosing what boiler they need. Quality, Efficiency, Price and Warranty Length are all normally the main deciding points but understanding the water flow rate of your property is a vital part of knowing what boiler you CAN have fitted.
HF Heating Services
From industrial heating to plumbing systems, air conditioning installation and servicing to domestic plumbing/heating issues, we specialise in all commercial, retail and domestic plumbing, heating and air conditioning services.
Our domestic plumbing services means that we can offer our customers everything from bathroom fitting to kitchen fitting services and annual Gas Safety checks.
With over three centuries of experience, the HF Group continues to grow and evolve; to improve our level of service and the quality of our work. From initial enquiry through to project completion, we appoint a manager who oversees the entire project and ensures every client need is met, every step of the way. In a world where customer service increasingly means call centres and multiple management, we believe ours is a refreshingly different approach.
We are an ambitious and diverse family of companies offering superior quality and exceptional customer service. Attracting and retaining the best talent creates positive returns and ensures we continue to make a significant contribution for our customers, staff, suppliers and communities.
HF’s family culture stretches back over three centuries in business yet it means much more than dates and numbers. It’s quite literally, the core of our business. With senior-level hands-on management from initial planning to final handover coupled with the opportunity to tap into a wide range of varied services and associated consultants, we can offer our customers unsurpassed levels of genuinely in-house capabilities. All driven by the values that are instilled in our entire team across all the companies within HF as ‘A Company Well Connected’.
In recognition of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we are continuing our series of ‘Why they became an apprentice’ interviews with current apprentices at HF.
We want to know why they chose their career path in Electrical, Mechanical and Fire & Security as well as what they enjoy most about being a part of HF and our apprentice programme.
With such a rich history in the UK electrical field, HF occupies an unprecedented position in industry. A huge part of this success has always been through our apprentice programme. We are incredibly proud of this apprentice programme which has seen so many of our young apprentices successfully continue their career into full time positions within the company, either as Electricians, Mechanical Contractors or as one of our Fire & Security team.
This time around, we are sitting down with Kyle who is one of our Fire & Security Apprentices.
Why did you first apply for an apprenticeship?
Simply put, I wanted a good career. I wanted a job that gave me opportunities and a real sense of job security. I had looked around the various options before signing up for a Fire & Security apprenticeship because I felt this was the right fit for me. Going down the apprentice route would give me good work experience quickly which was very appealing.
Why did you choose a career in Fire & Security?
I had already completed a pre-apprenticeship for Fire & Security at North Lanarkshire College and it is an industry that I find really interesting. There are so many new products coming onto the market and the technology in the latest Fire & Security systems is really impressive. Being part of that makes the job a lot more interesting.
Why did you choose HF?
I had heard good things about HF through the college during the pre-apprenticeship programme so they were the first company I applied to. Once I started working here, it quickly became obvious why so many good things had been said. With the range of things they do, it gives me so much ‘on the job’ experience and the variety of other services they do means I get to see first hand what it is like to work both in the trade and alongside other trades such as electricians, mechanical and gas engineers.
What do you most enjoy about being a Fire & Security apprentice?
I love getting to work on site and learning on the job. The variety in what I get to do makes everyday really interesting and while I currently prefer the fire side of things, that could easily change given the different things I get to be involved in during my apprenticeship.
What are your future goals?
In the short term, there are lots of little goals that I need to achieve. If I want to operate a scissor lift, I will need to get a IPAF Ticket; and I need to pass my driving test. The main goal long term is to be a fully qualified fire and security engineer because I want to build a career in the sector. And being an apprentice here is definitely helping me to achieve that goal.
Thank you Kyle
The name HF occupies an unprecedented position in industry across the UK. We have diversified and developed abreast of industry advancements and have grown into a group of world-class companies leading the way in next-generation technologies; and all with a family continuity at management level which is rarely seen. We are always looking for quality, talented and enthusiastic new members to our team and apprentices form a vital part of the services that we offer and the quality that we can provide to our customers.
If you are interested in apprentice programmes in Electrical, Mechanical or Fire & Security services, use the link below to find out more about the current opportunities in areas near our branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen.
Litter is a problem in any city in Scotland (unfortunately) and to make sure that our streets and the parks of Glasgow are kept just a little cleaner, members of HF got to join Glasgow Warriors yesterday to do just that.
Organised by the Friends of Victoria Park, members of the Glasgow Warriors playing team and staff hit the Scotstoun Nature Park Trail and Victoria Park armed with bin bags, gloves and litter pickers to try and do their part to clean up the neighbourhood.
As a partner sponsor of the Glasgow Warriors, we were thrilled to be asked to help contribute to this worthwhile endeavour. So members of our Glasgow branch downed their usual tools and headed to the park to help out on the day.
Thankfully the rain clouds stayed away and while it was a tad cold and overcast, there was a real sense of accomplishment for everyone involved as we did our part to try and help keep the 20 hectare park clean.
Seeing how much rubbish was collected in a relatively short period of time highlighted just what a problem this is and while we all did our best, there is still lots more to be done to keep this beautiful park in Glasgow’s West End clean. We hope that this neighbourhood initiative can continue and we hope to be a part of it as we help to give back to the city where the HF journey first began.
