What Do Hard Services in Facilities Management Include?
- What Makes a Service ‘Hard’ in Facilities Management?
- Key Hard Services in Facilities Management
- Why Are Hard Services Essential in Facilities Management?
- The Core Systems Every Building Depends On
The hidden infrastructure that keeps your building running.
Picture this: it’s a freezing Monday morning, and a care home’s heating system suddenly fails. Staff scramble, residents complain, and the building becomes uninhabitable within hours. Situations like this highlight just how vital hard services in facilities management can be.
Hard services are the systems that keep commercial buildings running smoothly every day. These include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical systems, plumbing, fire safety, and structural maintenance. Without them, most buildings couldn’t function legally or safely. If you’re a facilities manager, landlord, or business owner, knowing what hard facilities management includes is important. It’s one of the foundational steps to help you stay compliant, lower risks, and prevent costly disruptions.
What Makes a Service ‘Hard’ in Facilities Management?
Hard services are the physical systems that keep a commercial building safe and functional. These include boilers, electrics, plumbing, and fire safety infrastructure. Unlike soft services such as cleaning or landscaping, hard services are governed by strict UK legislation.
Laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers and property managers to ensure these systems are properly maintained at all times.
In short: Hard services are the systems that safeguard your property, people, and compliance obligations. Click here to learn more about facilities management services from Asbury.
Key Hard Services in Facilities Management
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning)
HVAC systems manage temperature, air quality, and energy performance. Properly maintained systems are important in places like care homes, schools, and offices. They help provide comfort and make sure all legal rules are followed.
Asbury provides commercial boiler servicing to keep systems efficient and safe. Regular checks support the UK’s decarbonisation goals. The Carbon Trust notes that currently, non-domestic buildings account for 18% of the country’s total emissions.
Electrical Systems & Safety Checks
Electrical services include lighting, power distribution, and emergency systems. Under EICR rules in the UK, businesses must have their installations checked every five years. If they don’t comply, they could face fines of up to £30,000.
Planned inspections reduce fire risks and keep certifications up to date, protecting safety and supporting business continuity.
Plumbing & Water Systems
Plumbing systems handle water supply, drainage, and pressure control. Failures can be highly disruptive, especially in schools, hotels, or healthcare settings.
Legionella prevention is a legal requirement. Asbury’s Legionella testing service ensures compliance through regular inspections and water sampling. We also maintain cold water booster pumps to keep the pressure steady and within regulation.
Fire Safety Systems
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire protection systems, including fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and emergency lighting, are mandatory.
Servicing these systems is essential to keeping them fully operational during a fire. To meet legal requirements and because we can, Asbury includes fire safety checks in our maintenance contracts.
Building Fabric Maintenance
This covers the structure and envelope of your building, e.g. roofing, glazing, cladding, and doors. While often overlooked, poor building fabric can lead to damp, insulation loss, and higher energy bills.
Routine inspections catch minor defects before they grow. This saves money on repairs and helps maintain health and safety standards.
Building Management Systems (BMS)
Many modern sites now rely on Building Management Systems (BMS) to automate the control of HVAC, lighting, and fire safety. These platforms provide remote diagnostics and early fault alerts, helping lower downtime and improve energy usage.
Asbury provides integrated BMS solutions that include remote monitoring. These solutions support property managers who manage complex or multi-site operations.
Why Are Hard Services Essential in Facilities Management?
Poorly maintained hard services can result in safety risks, legal penalties, and costly repairs. For facilities managers and property owners, these systems are vital for:
- Compliance: UK regulations require ongoing fire safety checks, electrical inspections, and Legionella testing. Failure to meet these obligations can result in fines or insurance issues.
- Continuity: Preventive maintenance stops sudden failures. This keeps operations running smoothly and protects building users.
- Efficiency: Serviced systems last longer and use less energy, helping to control utility costs and avoid emergency callouts.
We share practical insights on our blog. This ongoing guidance helps clients manage compliance and prevent downtime.
The Core Systems Every Building Depends On
Know what keeps your site running and who to trust with it.
Hard services in facilities management aren’t just about routine maintenance. They form the backbone of a safe, efficient, and legally compliant building. From heating and water to electrical and fire safety, these systems work silently in the background. It’s how we support daily operations and occupant well-being.
Choosing the right provider is key. At Asbury, we deliver tailored hard facilities management support with minimal disruption and trusted results. Our skilled engineers handle HVAC, electrical, water systems, fire safety, and BMS. They are backed by SafeContractor accreditation and have over 60 years of experience in commercial work.
Contact our team for a no-obligation quote. No pressure, no sales talk, just honest advice and tailored support.
