MartinDomm, Author at Oke Sa

Where is the best place to install CCTV cameras on your property?

September 21, 2023 admin

It is no longer a question of if you need CCTV on your business premises but where.

CCTV is regarded as absolutely essential for any company who is serious about protecting themselves from costly damage or theft and keeping their employees and visitors safe.

Once you have made the right decision to have trust hire CCTV or similar installed, it is time to pick the perfect location where they will be most effective.

The height, the angle, the key areas that need extra protection, these are all important things to consider when planning out your new security camera system.

To help create a CCTV system that is as effective as it possibly can be, we have put together this helpful guide to installing your own surveillance cameras.

Where is CCTV needed?

Some of the areas where it is most important that CCTV is in place includes:

Entryways

Control the entrances to your premises and you control the safety of the site. Keeping track of who moves in and out of your premises is incredibly important, but it can also be pretty time consuming and expensive. With CCTV in place, tracking movement has never been easier. Not to mention the fact that most intruders won’t even try to enter a property if they see visible signs of CCTV observation.

Make sure to choose a CCTV system that records high quality imagery and is time/date stamped. This not only means that you will be able to see who is coming in and out more clearly but also means that the images can be used in police investigations and insurance cases as evidence if needed.

Warehouses

Anywhere where a large quantity of high value assets are stored is at increased risk of criminal activity and require an additional level of care and attention.

Company warehouses can store millions of pounds worth of goods and it is crucial that any security breach, no matter how minor, is identified and dealt with as quickly as possible. It can be difficult to secure extremely large areas such as warehouses using more traditional security such as manned guarding, but with the right CCTV system in place, you can monitor activity in every nook an cranny from one single central location.

How high should you install your cameras?

You might not think that the height at which your CCTV cameras are installed matters all that much. You are wrong. Cameras installed too low down are easily tampered with and are more likely to be accidentally damaged during day-to-day operations. Install them too high up on the other hand and the angle will be unhelpful for identifying individuals and won’t be visible at first glance form floor level. It is vital that your CCTV cameras are easily visible in order to deter criminals. If they can’t see them, they won’t know to steer clear after all.

As a general rule, somewhere between 3 and 5 metres up is considered optimal CCTV camera positioning.

How to find great security guards to hire

July 27, 2023 admin

Security has never been more important than it is in the modern world, and finding the right security staff to protect your business, event, or property is a decision you need to take very seriously.

A well-trained a suitable team of SIA licenced security officers makes life a whole lot easier for you and your staff, not to mention any customers or clients that might be on the site.

Luckily, you have lots of different options available to you and there are plenty of great security companies that operate across the UK who offer security guarding service. However, like in any industry, there are also certain sub-standard security firms out there, and given just how important a decision this is, making your choice can be a daunting prospect.

Don’t panic. We are here to help, with a comprehensive guide on how to find the perfect security guard for hire in your area.

Work out what you are looking for

Each security company will specialise in something different, whether it be the type of security services that they offer or the type of properties that they protect. Working out exactly what your security needs are and looking for security guards that specialise in meeting them, and are experienced in your industry, is the first step towards identifying the perfect security guards.

Make sure that they are licenced

In order to work in the UK as a security officer, individuals must possess a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) giving them permission to operate in the country and reassuring you that they possess the training and background required to be a success. Never consider hiring someone to perform security guard duties that does not possess this licence.

You should also carry out a background check on any guards you hire before they are deployed on your premises.

Look for experience

Experience is everything in the security industry and it is always best to choose guards with a proven track record of success over many years in the field whenever you can. Experienced guards will have seen it all and done it all when it comes to security and will know exactly how to handle any situation that might arise on your property. When hiring security guards, look for references from previous employers and clients of theirs that verify their capability of providing the services that you require to the highest possible standard.

Referrals

If possible, get in touch with a similar business or organisation in your field and ask for their recommendations of which security firm to use, or for their experiences with a certain firm. Whilst no two companies quite have the same exact security needs, others in your sector will have similar requirements to yourself and if a security firm was suitable for them, the chances are that they will probably do a good job on your behalf. Remember to take testimonials on the security companies site with a grain of salt as these are likely hand chosen to make them look good.

Why are Gas Safe Engineers so important?

June 6, 2023 admin

Gas Safe Engineers play a vital role in keeping properties safe across the nation through the safe servicing, repair, and installation of gas appliances.

Whenever you are looking for Glasgow heating engineers it is essential that you use a qualified and certified Gas Safe engineer to not only ensure your own and your family’s safety but also to prevent your warranty and insurance from being invalidated and costing you many thousands of pounds.

To find a Gas Safe engineer look on the Gas Safe register or simply search for Gas Safe engineers in your area. Before an engineer carries out any sort of work on your property check their ID card to confirm that they are indeed Gas Safe Registered.

What are Gas Safe Engineers?

Gas Safe Engineers are qualified and registered engineers who possess the relevant qualifications to conduct services involving gas appliances. In order to receive a Gas Safe ID card, engineers must demonstrate, via a proven path of training and assessment, their competence to work on gas appliances.

Newly qualified engineers will then appear on the Gas Safe register and you can be confident that and job they perform on your property will be safe and effective.

What services do Gas Safe Engineers provide?

Gas Safe Engineers provide a range of different services in relation to boilers, heating systems, and other gas appliances.

Some of the most common services that they provide on day-to-day basis include:

Boiler Installation

If you have just moved into a new property, are building your own home, or your boiler has simply reached the end of its natural lifespan, the time has come to buy a brand new boiler.

There are a huge amount of options available when it comes to the model, make, and type of boiler that you get, but the one thing that should never be negotiable is that a Gas Safe Engineer should be the one to install it.

These expert professionals conduct these installations on a daily basis and will have your new boiler, up, running, and keeping you warm in no time at all.

Even better, many will offer flexible schedules allowing you to fit in the installation at a time that suits you best, making the whole process and stress-free and convenient as possible.

Boiler Servicing

All gas boilers should be serviced on an annual basis to ensure they are still in great, energy efficient and safe working order.

Not only will this prevent any issues that build up over time and can eventually lead to a hefty emergency boiler repair bills but annual servicing is usually a pre-requisite of most new boiler warranties and home insurance policies, so repairing a boiler that has not been services is far more expensive than one that has been.

As well as looking for faults a Gas Safe engineer will examine and clean all components of the boiler, helping to keep it in tip-top working order and maximising energy efficiency.

Boiler Repair

You can almost guarantee that your boiler will decide to breakdown at the least convenient time possible and during the winter months a swift repair is critical to protecting the health of the household.

Many Gas Safe engineers offer 24/7 emergency repair services throughout the winter and will usually be able to resolve common repair issues with a minimum of fuss, getting your heating back up and running before you know it. If, for any reason, they are unable to attend your property for a day or two, or the repair turns out to be more complicated than first thought, stay warm by adding extra layers and consider staying with a friend or family if needed, especially if your or someone else in the family is vulnerable.

How to check a Gas Safe ID card

When a Gas Safe Engineer comes to your home to work on your boiler, you should ask to see their ID card. This card will feature a 7-digit licence number and be valid for the current year. All Gas Safe Engineers are issued with a new ID card each year so older cards should not be accepted as proof of a current licence.

Some of the key features of a Gas Safe ID card to check for include a photo of the engineer, an expiry date, a licence number, and a security hologram. It will also include the name of the company that they work for so make sure this matches the name of the company that you hired to carry out work on your boiler.

On the back of the card, there will be some more details on the type of work the engineer is qualified for (not all engineers hold the same exact qualifications), so give this a look over as well.

How long do double glazed windows last?

May 2, 2023 admin

A new double glazed window has the potential to last between 25-30 years or even more if installed by an expert double glazing company using the highest quality materials and technology.

Modern double glazing offers remarkable energy efficiency ratings and durability, far superior to installations of the past, but how exactly can you tell when the time comes to make a switch?

Exactly how long a double glazed window will last does vary depending on a number of different factors that will be discussed in this article but on average you should expect your new units to last well over 20 years as an absolute minimum.

In order to protect yourself from early window deterioration as a result of inferior materials and installation work, choose a company such as www.theadvancedgroup.co.uk that offer as long a guarantee as possible on their products, and gets excellent reviews from previous customers in your local area.

What will affect the lifespan of double glazed windows and doors?

There are a variety of different factors that will go into determining how long it will be before you need to replace your double glazing after it has been installed.

As long as you choose a well-respected professional installer who uses the highest quality of products, you won’t have to worry about this for several decades, but it is still worth knowing, and could save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

The location of the property

Modern double glazing is incredibly durable and designed to cope with wind, snow, rain and more. However, the location of the window will, over time, have an impact on the product’s lifespan, and is perhaps the biggest determining factor in how long a quality window will last.

Coastal properties are particularly susceptible to faster than average deterioration due to the presence of saltwater in the air and double glazing in these regions tend to have a significantly shorter lifespan as a result.

Properties in the highlands of Scotland may see similar declines, due to an increased exposure to freezing temperatures, high winds, snow, and ice, although the best double glazing products are designed to cope well in temperatures well below freezing.

The quality of the products used

Make sure that when you are choosing your windows that you consider the quality of the materials that have been used to create them and that the installer has not cut corners in order to keep their costs down.

The saying that you get what you pay for is not always completely accurate but does ring true in regards to the cheapest double glazing products which tend to be of a sub-standard quality and will last nowhere near as long as the market leaders.

The reputation of the installer

Whilst not directly a contributing factor in the lifespan of your windows, an double glazing installers reputation is a good way to determine what the quality of their products may be.

Make sure to do plenty of research before you commit to one double glazing company including reading online reviews, independent and not on the company site, and by talking to others in the location area who have used their services.

Even the highest quality double glazed windows will perform poorly in terms of energy efficiency if they are installed incorrectly, and if they are not sealed properly water can leak inside your home and cause the window to deteriorate

Damp problems caused as a result of poor insulation not only cause timber frames to warp and shorten the window’s lifespan, but they can also lead to mould and mildew growth, and all the associated health complications they bring.

How to tell when it is time to replace your double glazing

Even the highest quality double glazed products will eventually reach the end of its life and the point will come where replacing them is the right decision financially.

If you have recently noticed that your energy use is going up more than expected, even in a time when bills are at an all time high, it could be as a result of increased heat loss through your windows and replacing them will help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Just some of the indications that a change may be required in the near future include:

Draughts around the home and particularly around the window frame suggesting a faulty or damaged frame.
Condensation is forming between the panes or on the inside pane.
Noise from outside seems clearer and louder than before.
The windows are stiff and difficult to open.
The uPVC frame has become yellow and discoloured.
A timber frame has begun to warp.

Top 8 tips for becoming a human rights lawyer

April 18, 2023 admin

Human rights lawyers are some of the most specialist and highly trained lawyers in the world. They are tasked with ensuring that their clients have their most basic fundamental social, economic, political, and cultural rights upheld, and that any breaches are met with the full force of the justice system.

If you are training as a lawyer currently or considering going down this path in the future the time will come when you need to decide what sort of lawyer you wish to be. From criminal law to family law there are a whole host of different areas of the law to choose from, and each poses its own unique challenges that trainee lawyers must learn to tackle.

If you are considering a career as a human rights lawyer you have to be confident that you have the skills required to be successful in this highly emotional high stakes area of the law.

Most human rights lawyers are not in the job for the money, and can often earn significantly less than criminal or corporate lawyers, often taking cases pro bono. However, the rewards from this career can be huge making a real difference to the lives of your client and ensuring that we all have the same basic human rights that make up the basis of any humane society.

Still want to be a human rights lawyer? If so, here are eight practical tips for building a career in the sector:

Get a broad understanding of the law

Human rights lawyers not only need to know human rights law inside out, they also need a broad understanding of general law and as many different areas of law as possible. Many human rights lawyers have already worked as a lawyer for many years before specialising in human rights.

Find the right work experience

Law is an increasingly competitive sector and getting a degree is no longer a sure-fire way to guarantee yourself a job in the area you want. You need to constantly be on the lookout for any work experience that will help you to stand out from the crowd and if you can find an internship or similar at a firm that deal with many human rights cases this is a fantastic place to start.

Don’t limit yourself to human rights law alone, however, when seeking out training opportunities, any real-life legal experience really will be incredibly valuable when applying for roles in the future.

Consider non-law related experience

In most areas of law, legal firms and lawyers are the start and end when it comes to relevant work experience opportunities. Human rights law is a little different, however, and NGOs, think tanks, and other organisations involved in the research about or maintenance of human rights across the world provide excellent learning opportunities.

Find a reliable source of income

As mentioned above, human rights lawyers are often paid a lot less than other types of lawyer. If your passion is in helping others, this might not worry you too much but in order to be able tio take on pro bono cases and sustain a career you will need to find a reliable source of income. Many humans rights lawyers balance their time between human rights cases and another, better paid, area of law such as criminal law, personal injury, or similar.

Consider a master’s degree

Many positions at the leading human rights firms, now require candidates to not only possess extensive work experience and an undergraduate degree in law, but also a masters degree. If you did a broad undergraduate degree in law, you will probably want to start specialising at this stage.

Build an online presence

Knowing the law is one thing when becoming a human rights lawyer but if you want to build a successful career you need to get your name out there and build an online presence.

This will be used by recruiters to get an idea of who you are as a person, and eventually by clients seeking legal advice.

Work on your personal skills

Human rights lawyers take on clients who are often in extremely distressing or traumatic situations and it is your job to reassure them and guide them through the process. Human rights lawyers are required to have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, possibly more so than any other lawyer.

Build a client base

Reputation is everything in the legal profession and getting experience with clients at the earliest possible stage, not necessarily in the human rights field, is by far the best way to build yours. Not only will this lead to recommendations and testimonials, but it will allow you to learn from your mistakes in a low risk environment and ensure that when the time comes you are ready to meet all the needs of your clients.

For more information, on any of the topics mentioned in this article, visit aameranwar.co.uk today, a leading human rights law firm.

12 benefits of manned security guarding services for UK businesses

March 30, 2023 admin

Every year in the UK, crimes against businesses rise and it is essential that you have the right security measures in place to ensure that you are not the next company to become a statistic.

From CCTV to alarm systems there is an almost unlimited range of different security options available to the modern business, but no technology has yet fully replaced the effectiveness of manned security guarding services performed by highly professional expert security officers.

You wouldn’t make any decision for your business without first doing in-depth research to ensure that it is the right one, and certainly not when it comes to something as important as your security.

To help make your decision just that little bit easier we have put together a list of 12 of the biggest benefits of professional security guarding services.

Security guards deter criminals

Security guards can perform a whole number of responsibilities on your site, but their presence alone is perhaps the most important thing they offer.

Should a criminal do any sort of research before targeting your business and spot a manned guarding patrol near the perimeter, they will be deterred from taking their plans any further.

Evidence shows that a manned guarding presence significantly reduces the risk of all forms of criminal activity on commercial sites.

Security guards reassure staff

Whilst security guards send fear and doubt into criminals, they have the opposite effect on your staff, reassuring them that they are safe and protected in the workplace and leading to a more content and happy workforce.

You may see a rise in productivity

If your staff are no longer worrying about intruders due to a manned guarding presence, they will be able to fully focus on their work instead. Productivity levels almost always rise in the weeks and months following the installation of manned guarding.

Manned guarding lowers the risk of workplace theft

No employer likes to believe that their employees would steal from them, but workplace theft is disturbingly common. Having security guards on site means that all staff will be on their best behaviour at all times.

Security guards can provide basic customer service

As security guards are often found near the front desk or tracking comings and goings, they are often the first representative of your business a client or customer sees. They will, therefore, provide some basic customer services including giving direction and advice if required.

Security guards reassure clients

If a new client or potential business partner is visiting your site, a manned guarding presence will reassure them that they are dealing with a company that takes their security very seriously. They will be much more confident about going into business with you, especially if you will be handling sensitive information on their behalf.

Security guards can monitor your CCTV

Professional security guards are trained to work alongside a range of security technologies to provide the most comprehensive manned guarding service possible.

One of the most important of these is CCTV, which is a must have for any larger sized premises. Security guards will monitor your CCTV system and act immediately if they identify any suspicious activity, using the live feed to locate and intercept intruders in real time.

Security guards will control access to your site

Keeping track and control of who is on your business premises at any one time is critical to maintaining a safe environment. Security guards stationed at your front gate can check ID’s and monitor access control technologies such as fingerprint and facial recognition scanners to make sure that only authorised personnel are able to gain access.

Security guards have a keen eye for suspicious behaviour

SIA licensed security guards have a highly trained expert eye that allows them to spot suspicious behaviour from within a crowd from afar, along with conflict management training that allows them to deescalate situations well before they come to a head.

Security guards work with the emergency services

Should an emergency situation arise your manned guarding officers will contact the relevant emergency services, keep the area secure until they arrive by keeping staff and customers well away from the area, and brief them on the situation once they get to your property.

Security guards let you focus on your business

With all your security needs handled by the professionals, you can get back to doing what you do best and focussing on growing your business.

Security guards save you money

Manned guarding might seem like just another expense to add to your balance books, but in the long run it is a smart financial move for your company.

Security guards save and make you money in equal measure, reducing the risk of criminal activity such as theft and vandalism that will lead to expensive repair bills, reassuring customers that they are safe to spend their money on your site, and convincing potential business partners that they are dealing with a highly professional operation.

New Boiler Cost Guide

July 8, 2022 admin

Getting a new boiler can be demanding and complex process. Getting the right boiler is very important and will require a lot of research. In this article, we’ll help to make things easier by going over some of the key details involved in getting a new boiler and the costs involved.

When will I need a New Boiler? Do I need one?

You should replace your boiler after 10 to 15 years. Even if your boiler is working effectively after this time, it is important to replace it from a professional Boiler Company Glasgow. This is for both safety reasons and efficiency reasons – as past this point boilers,

Are more likely to suffer serious breakdowns and require repairs more frequently
Will be subject to a serious loss of efficiency and overtime lose you money and warmth
Will be harder to repair

This means it’s important to get the boiler replaced before any of this happens. Modern boilers are noticeably more efficient as well. This means they will use less energy while providing more heat – providing significant savings when it comes to your bills.

Older boiler designs (even if they aren’t past the 10-to-15-year mark) have other issues as well. Back boilers are a problem, as they no longer meet important safety regulations.

Older boilers cost more to repair – in fact in some cases they can cost more than a new boiler. If the quote for the repair of a boiler is high, making the move to a new boiler is likely the best choice.

Many are frequently energy inefficient, consuming a lot of power to produce relatively little heat. Given the rise in energy prices, this is a significant issue for many people and not one they can afford to ignore.

When to replace your boiler?

The best time to replace a boiler is during the summer.

Engineers aren’t as busy during summer and can get the work done much faster as a result. Winter is primarily when breakdowns happen or other people are rushing to get installations done, but not having access to a boiler during winter is a major pain to have to deal with. Because of this, it’s good to get it done during the summer when, you will not need access to your boiler

Boiler Types and Costs

There’s a huge variety of boiler designs and types, which makes it important to do your research for what you want out of your new boiler. For example, electric boilers are some of the cheapest to buy and install but have higher running costs.

Regular or Conventional

‘Regular’ or conventional boilers feed hot water to your central heating system for on demand use. A new regular boiler can cost as little as £480 (not including installation. Conventional boilers also require the installation of hot and cold water tanks – and as a result take up significantly more space.

Combi

Combi boilers combine both the water heater and boiler in a single case, making them very compact.

Combi boilers can use gas, oil, LPG, and electricity to heat the home. Combi boilers are by far some of the most popular in the UK, as they take up the least amount of space.

Combi boiler cost varies based on design. An electric combi boiler can cost anywhere between £900 and £4,500. Oil combi boilers can cost between £3,075 and £3,675. The average cost of a Gas Combi boiler is around £2,400.

System

System boilers are not connected to the water mains and feature a cylinder to store hot water for later use – making them perfect for larger households which need to use a lot of hot water.

Like combi boilers, they come in several different designs, including electric, oil, and gas.

New system boilers can cost anywhere between £1,300 and £3,163.

Biomass

Biomass boilers use wood pellets as fuel – making them very eco-friendly and providing options for government funding. However, buying and installing a biomass boiler is more expensive; a biomass boiler will (on average) cost around £16,000.

Boiler Conversions

It is also possible to convert an existing boiler system. The cost of this is often like that of getting a new boiler installed – but this depends on the location and type of boiler you have. A major factor in cost is the labour required, so always keep this in mind.

Regular Boiler to Combi Boiler

The cost of this conversion is around £3,500 and will take up to two days. It is a complex process, involving the laying of new pipework and the removing of the old boiler and its water cylinder.

System to Combi Boiler

This conversion can take up to three days and will average at around £2,650. This is demanding work which has to be completed by a properly accredited and approved official.