In 2026, Duct Leakage Testing (DW143 Standard) has become a major requirement for buildings in Malaysia. Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024, leaky ducts are viewed as "financial leaks" because they waste expensive cooled air before it even reaches your rooms.
At EKG M&E Sdn Bhd, we apply our 34 years of engineering experience in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to ensure your ductwork is airtight, helping you secure a 5-Star Energy Intensity Label.
DW143 is an international guide for testing the airtightness of ductwork. It ensures that the air your AHU (Air Handling Unit) pushes out actually reaches its destination instead of escaping into the ceiling.
The Goal: To prove that air loss is below a specific limit based on the total surface area of the ducts.
The Benefit: It lowers your electricity bill by allowing your fans to run at lower speeds.
The Law: Large commercial buildings now need these test results to pass annual energy audits by Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST).
Ducts are categorized into four classes based on how much pressure they can handle. The higher the class, the tighter the duct must be.
Class A (Low Pressure): Used for small branch ducts near the vents. Allowable leakage is the highest here.
Class B (Medium Pressure): Used for main distribution ducts. It must be much tighter than Class A.
Class C (High Pressure): Used in Grade-A offices and Data Centers. These must be extremely airtight.
Class D (Ultra-High Pressure): Used in specialized labs or industrial plants. This requires the most precision.
We use a high-precision machine (like a PANDA tester) to verify the integrity of your system:
Isolating the Section: We seal off a portion of the duct using temporary air bladders or heavy-duty plastic.
Pressurizing: We pump air into the sealed section until it reaches the intended operating pressure.
Measuring the Loss: The machine calculates how much "make-up air" is needed to keep the pressure steady. If the amount of air leaking out is within the DW143 limit, you pass.
Pinpointing Leaks: If a section fails, we use Non-Toxic Smoke Generators inside the duct. The smoke escaping through joints shows us exactly where to apply more sealant.
Lower TNB Bills: A system with a 10% leak can waste up to 30% more fan energy. Testing ensures your Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) work efficiently.
Audit Compliance: We provide the digital test sheets your Registered Energy Manager (REM) needs for the mandatory EECA 2024 reports.
Fire Safety: Airtight ducts ensure that smoke extraction systems work correctly during an emergency, which is vital for your BOMBA Fire Certificate (FC).
Expert Insight: We don't just find leaks; we understand how to fix them without damaging your Smart Actuators or internal insulation.
Digital Reports: You receive a full data-set including "Before and After" results and robotic footage of internal seals.
Seamless Handover: For new projects, we help contractors pass their inspections on the first try.
Is your air conditioning system leaking money? Contact EKG M&E Sdn Bhd today for a certified DW143 duct leakage test to protect your building's efficiency.
More detail about EKG M & E SDN BHD
Malaysia
