In the 2026 Malaysian regulatory landscape, the Automatic Fire Signal AHU Shut-off is a non-negotiable life-safety requirement. Under the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) and the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) 2026, Air Handling Units (AHUs) are prohibited from operating during a fire event. This is to prevent the AHU from acting as a "smoke pump," which could distribute toxic fumes and heat throughout different fire compartments.
At EKG (Malaysia) SDN BHD, we integrate these shut-off protocols into every BOMBA Certified AHU Installation, ensuring your building remains Sterile, Silent, and Statutory-Compliant.
As part of the AHU Safety Permit process, the fire signal integration must satisfy the following 2026 benchmarks:
Mandatory Shut-off: Every AHU serving an area larger than 92.9 square meters (1,000 sq. ft.) must automatically shut down upon receiving a signal from the Fire Alarm Monitoring System (FAMS).
Interlocking Mechanism: The shut-off must be hard-wired into the AHU's Variable Speed Drive (VSD) or motor starter. Software-only interlocks (via BMS) are generally not accepted by BOMBA for life-safety certification as they are prone to communication lag.
Duct Smoke Detection: In addition to the building’s general fire alarm, BOMBA requires a Duct Smoke Detector installed in the return air plenum to trigger a localized shut-off if smoke enters the recirculating air stream.
When a fire signal is initiated, the BOMBA Certified Setup follows a strict millisecond-sequence:
Signal Reception: The Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) sends a 24V DC signal to the AHU Control Panel.
Motor Kill-Switch: The VSD immediately ramps down and cuts power to the IE5 EC Fan Wall.
Damper Closure: Simultaneously, the Motorized Fire Dampers at the compartment walls receive a signal to close, creating a physical fire and smoke barrier.
BMS Reporting: The system sends a "Confirmed Shutdown" status back to the Fire Control Room to inform emergency responders.
To maintain your AHU Safety Permit, the hardware used must be certified and auditable.
| Hardware Component | Requirement | Purpose |
| Duct Smoke Detector | Photoelectric / UL-Listed | Reliable smoke detection in high-velocity air streams. |
| Fireman’s Switch | Key-operated Manual Override | Located at the Fire Control Room for manual fan control. |
| Fire-Rated (FR) Cabling | MS 2116 Compliant | Ensures the shut-off signal is not lost due to cable melting. |
| Motorized Dampers | Spring-Return Fail-Safe | Automatically closes the ducting if power is lost during a fire. |
Technical Integrity: Our fire-safety integrations are designed and tested by mechanical engineers who understand the complex relationship between HVAC and Active Fire Protection.
BOMBA Inspection Readiness: We perform pre-commissioning "Dry Runs" of the fire shut-off sequence to ensure your system passes the official BOMBA witness test on the first attempt.
EECA 2024 Compatibility: We ensure that the fire-safety components do not add unnecessary pressure drops that could compromise your unit's Specific Fan Power (SFP) rating.
Is your AHU fire shut-off system legally compliant or a safety liability? Contact EKG (Malaysia) SDN BHD today for a specialized BOMBA Safety Audit & Integration.
Are you integrating this shut-off for a new high-rise development or as part of a fire safety upgrade for an existing commercial building?
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