Yes, Data Centres are all the rave at ENGINEER & MARVEX this year, but behind the gleaming server racks and uninterrupted connectivity lies a silent but critical threat—fire. And in these high-stakes facilities, one spark can cost millions.
The Malaysian Fire & Rescue Department is leading the charge in ensuring safety standards keep pace with new risks. Lithium-ion batteries, now commonly used in data centres, are especially dangerous.
“Lithium-ion battery fires don’t behave like conventional fires. Standard extinguishing agents can’t put them out. At best, we can only cool and contain them to stop the fire spreading,” explained Mohd Fairu bin Sha’ari, Penguasa Bomba, Bahagian Keselamatan Kebakaran. “This is why our guidelines emphasise containment, storage design, and rapid-response systems.”
Passive fire protection is another critical layer. Promat by Etex Malaysia, a global leader in passive fire solutions, is showing why prevention begins in the very bones of a building.
“Passive fire protection is about giving people time to escape, protecting assets, and ensuring continuity,” said Joanne Foong, Regional Marketing Manager at Etex Malaysia. “From compartmentalisation to fire-rated structures, we design solutions that stop fire from spreading, an invisible but indispensable safeguard for data centres.”
But prevention must also be matched with precision protection. That’s where Victaulic Malaysia comes in with its innovative pre-action and hybrid sprinkler systems. “Data halls house incredibly sensitive, high-value equipment. Owners want protection from fire but can’t afford water damage,” explained K.K. Choo, Territory Manager, Victaulic Malaysia. “Our systems provide a dry pipe environment above server racks while still fulfilling strict regulatory requirements, delivering both safety and peace of mind.”
The reality is clear, fire safety in data centres is mission-critical. Yet many industry players remain unaware of evolving risks and solutions. ENGINEER & MARVEX 2025 bridges this gap by bringing regulators, solution providers, and engineers under one roof.
This is where you’ll see the future of fire safety in action, from lithium-ion containment strategies to passive structural safeguards and next-gen suppression systems.
Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Come visit us at KL Convention Centre, and future-proof your data centre.