In 2026, Fire-Rated Ductwork in Malaysia is the most critical "Passive Fire Protection" element in your building's mechanical design. Under the UBBL 2024 (Uniform Building By-Laws) and BOMBA 2026 enforcement standards, air ducts are no longer just conduits for air; they are potential "Fuses" that can spread smoke and flame between compartments. A failure in fire-rated ducting during an audit can delay a Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) indefinitely.
At EKG M&E, with 34 years of mechanical depth, we provide BS 476 Part 24 and EN 1366 compliant installations, ensuring your smoke spill and kitchen exhaust systems maintain their structural integrity during a catastrophic event.
For a duct to be certified "Fire-Rated" in 2026, it must pass three distinct performance criteria during a Type A (Fire Outside) or Type B (Fire Inside) test:
Stability (S): The duct and its support hangers must not collapse. In 2026, for smoke extract systems, the duct must retain at least 90% of its cross-sectional area (tightened from the previous 75% under newer EN standards).
Integrity (E): The duct must remain airtight. No flames or hot gases can "leak" through joints or seals into unaffected compartments like fire-fighting lobbies.
Insulation (I): The temperature on the "unexposed" side of the duct must not rise above a specified limit (typically $140^\circ\text$ average). This prevents the heat inside a kitchen exhaust from igniting combustible ceiling materials outside the duct.
With 34 years of experience, we deploy three primary technologies to meet BOMBA requirements:
Factory-sprayed with a specialized moisture-resistant, intumescent compound.
2026 Advantage: Provides up to 4 hours of fire resistance. It is 100% moisture-proof, making it ideal for basement car parks where "Duct Sweating" is common.
Standard G.I. ducting encased in high-performance fire boards (e.g., Promat).
2026 Advantage: Excellent for retrofits where existing ducts need an upgrade. It provides a clean, flat surface ready for architectural painting.
Under MS 2586-7:2015, some basement carpark ducts serving only one compartment may use 1.2mm (G18) thick steel without coating.
Critical Note: This exemption is strictly for single-compartment basement use. Elevated car parks and multi-compartment runs must use treated fire-rated systems.
| System Type | 2026 Requirement | EKG M&E Installation Standard |
| Kitchen Exhaust | 2-Hour "Insulated" Rating | Stainless Steel 316 with Fire-Wrap |
| Smoke Spill | 2-Hour "Integrity" Rating | Coated G.I. with High-Temp Hangers |
| Pressurization | 1-Hour "Stability" Rating | Reinforced Joints & Intumescent Gaskets |
| Fire Dampers | Interlocked with MFAP | Motorized 24V Fail-Safe Dampers |
Most 2026 audit failures occur not in the duct itself, but in the Hangers and Penetrations:
Reinforced Hangers: Standard hangers will "elongate" or snap at 600^C. We use high-tensile threaded rods sized for the thermal load of the fire rating.
Expansion Management: Steel expands by approximately 1.6mm per meter at 1000^C. Our 2026 designs include "Expansion Offsets" to prevent the duct from buckling and destroying fire-rated walls.
Fire-Stopping: Every wall penetration is sealed with BOMBA-approved fire pillows or intumescent collars that expand to plug gaps during a fire.
To pass your Form G/F and C1-C3 fire certificate audits, we provide:
Material Certificates: Official test reports from SIRIM or Exova/UKAS accredited labs.
Installation Log: Proof that no site-modifications (cutting/drilling) were made to pre-coated sections, which voids the fire rating.
Fogging Test Support: We assist with the "Smoke Machine" simulation to prove your smoke spill system hits the mandatory 10 Air Changes Per Hour (ACH).
34 Years of Engineering Depth: We understand the "Physics of Fire." We ensure your fan's Static Pressure calculation accounts for the added weight and internal friction of fire-rated coatings.
Turnkey Compliance: From BIM-coordinated design to the final BOMBA inspection, we manage the entire life-safety lifecycle.
Quality Assurance: We use only Third-Party Accredited materials, ensuring your building's insurance and legal standing are fully protected.
Malaysia
