HF Group Edinburgh Branch

When fitting out HF’s brand-new Edinburgh branch, our team had a unique opportunity to act as our own client and practice exactly what we preach. As a business known across the UK as ‘A Company Well Connected’, this project was all about showcasing the full power of the complete HF service.

Working seamlessly alongside main contractor Taylor & Fraser, who handled the primary building works, HF brought our specialised divisions together under one umbrella. By unifying Mechanical, Electrical, and Fire & Security divisions, we transformed an existing warehouse facility at 61 Bankhead Terrace into a modern, energy-efficient commercial space. Delivering a complete end-to-end fit-out in-house eliminated the friction, delays, and communication gaps that so often arise when managing multiple separate sub-contractors.

A Benchmark in Green Energy

A core goal for our new Edinburgh home was to build a facility that actively reduces our carbon footprint and cuts daily operational energy costs. To achieve this, our Green Energy team designed and installed an integrated renewable energy system tailored specifically to the site’s layout:

• Solar PV Array: Installed 120 all-black 455W Hanwha Q-Cells across the outer east and west roof elevations, creating a 54.6 kWp system capable of generating an estimated 41,500 kWh per year.
• Smart Roof Mounting: Using the Renusol MS+ mounting system with short rails, we kept structural deadweight to a minimum while keeping material costs lean.
• Dual Inverter & Battery Storage Setup: To optimize natural daylight generation from morning to evening, we split the PV array across two parallel configurations (half east / half west per system):
  • Each configuration features 2 AlphaESS G3-T20 20kW inverters linked to 4 AlphaESS 9.8kWh batteries.
  • This provides 78.4 kWh of battery storage paired directly to our 54.6 kWp solar array.
• Active Energy Management: Connected directly into our main distribution boards, the system constantly monitors real-time usage to actively manage charging and discharging cycles. Within its first month, the system successfully covered roughly two-thirds (66%) of the building’s total energy demand.

Smart Infrastructure & On-Site EV Charging

To support our growing fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles, we integrated an intelligent EV charging setup:

• EV Chargers & Load Control: Installed 2 Easee Charge 22kW chargers in a daisy-chain configuration. Managed via static load control capped at a 32A output, this setup protects the building’s main electrical supply while providing fast, simultaneous on-site charging for two vehicles.

Mechanical Services & Climate Control

The project involved a full strip-back and refit of the rear half of the existing warehouse property to deliver brand-new office space, meeting rooms, toilet facilities, and welfare areas. HF Mechanical completed the full mechanical scope:

• Heating & Hot Water: Installed an eco-friendly Mitsubishi Ecodan PUZ-WZ60VAA(-BS) air source heat pump system paired with an Ecodan 210-litre pre-packaged hot water cylinder and high-efficiency panel radiators throughout the accommodation.
• Air Conditioning & Climate Control: Fitted a comprehensive air conditioning system comprising an external unit, a roof-mounted manifold, nine ducted internal AC units for climate-controlled comfort in main office zones, one external-wall unit, and a dedicated wall-mounted AC unit serving the communications room.
• Ventilation & Heat Recovery: Integrated Lossnay heat recovery ventilation equipment complete with remote wall controls, wall-mounted CO₂ sensors, and supply/extract ductwork fitted with TROX diffusers and grilles to maintain air quality and thermal efficiency.
• Domestic Water Services: Installed a new cold water storage tank, water booster set, and copper press-fit pipework serving male and female toilets, a new shower room, a cleaner’s sink area, and the kitchen (including a Zip G5 boiling water tap).
• Sanitaryware & Drainage: Outfitted all welfare facilities with new sanitaryware, Wye front-access concealed cisterns, a Doc M disabled toilet pack, and associated plastic drainage pipework supported by SNIPEF drainage certification and water chlorination testing.

Electrical Distribution & Lighting Infrastructure

To back up our renewable generation and deliver clean, structured power across the site, HF Electrical installed a complete power and lighting framework starting with a main Hager 125A 18-way Distribution Board (DB L&P) and a 6-way mechanical DB (DB MECH) in the plant room. This was backed by heavy-duty Marco wire basket cable containment and secondary PVC conduit systems, including dedicated 10kVA UPS power protection for critical infrastructure.

• Energy-Efficient Lighting: Continuing the green energy theme of the fit-out, we installed low-energy LED emergency and panel luminaires throughout offices, warehouse spaces, and exterior fascias. These are controlled via Timeguard PIR presence/absence sensors and local switches (including 15-minute auto-off controls in amenities). All luminaires incorporate local Klik socket connections for quick maintenance.
• Workplace Power & Data: Installed Scolmore twin sockets throughout all office zones, high-level hand dryer supplies, kitchen DBs, 63A commando sockets for data equipment, and structured CAT6 LSF data cabling routed to central data cabinets.

Fire & Security

While the M&E team powered, heated, and conditioned the building, HF Fire & Security engineers secured the premises with top-tier life safety and intruder detection systems:

• BS 5839-1 L1 Fire Protection: Upgraded the site to full L1 Category coverage using red FP200 Gold / FP Plus Enhanced fire-resistant cabling, automatic optical/heat multi-sensors, manual call points, and a central Protec 6500 2-loop addressable panel.
• Grade 2 Intruder Detection: Installed an Eaton/Scantronic Grade 2 system featuring Pyronix Dual Tech PIRs, door contacts, roller shutter protection, and external sounders.
• 24/7 Monitored Protection: Both systems connect directly to an off-site Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), ensuring automated, immediate dispatch signals in the event of a fire, break-in, fault, or mains power failure.

One Group, One Complete Solution

By delivering the entire Mechanical, Electrical, Fire, Security, and Renewable package under the HF banner, we demonstrated the true value of an integrated approach. Working alongside main contractor Taylor & Fraser, our team proved how working under one umbrella eliminates miscommunication, streamlines project schedules, and yields superior operational performance.

From start to finish, our new Edinburgh branch stands as a live, working showcase of how HF designs, builds, and protects modern, energy-efficient commercial environments across the UK.