What is DW/144 ductwork?

DW/144 is the BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) specification for sheet metal ductwork — the UK standard that defines design, construction, installation and testing requirements for HVAC ductwork systems. All Cliventa ductwork installations are carried out to DW/144 specification as standard.

Do you provide air leakage testing on ductwork?

Yes. We provide air leakage testing to DW/143 classification where specified. Leakage test results are documented and supplied as part of the O&M handover package. This is increasingly required by M&E contractors and building regulations compliance.

What types of ductwork do you install?

We install all types of HVAC ductwork: rectangular (low-velocity commercial), circular and spiral (high-velocity systems), flat oval (space-constrained runs), fire-rated ductwork (BS476 / EN1366), stainless steel (kitchen extract, catering, cleanroom), pre-insulated phenolic duct, and flexible ductwork for final connections.

What sectors do you install ductwork for?

We install ductwork across student accommodation (PBSA), hotels and hospitality, retail units, offices, commercial fit-out, education, healthcare and industrial/warehouse projects. Current active projects include Central Quay in Glasgow — a large multi-storey PBSA MEV ductwork package.

Ductwork Installation Contractor All types. All sectors.
Installed to DW/144.

Q: Do you work as a ductwork subcontractor for M&E contractors?

Yes. Ductwork subcontracting for M&E contractors is a primary part of our business. We provide full subcontracting packages including RAMS documentation, site supervision, progress photo reports, leakage testing and O&M manuals. We quote within 48 hours of receiving drawings. Send your specification to info@cliventa.co.uk.

Q: What areas do you cover for ductwork installation?

We are based in Dundee, Central Scotland with active projects in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perthshire and East Lothian. We take on ductwork subcontracting packages UK-wide for the right commercial projects.

Rectangular Circular / Spiral Flat Oval Fire-Rated Stainless Steel Pre-Insulated

We install HVAC ductwork for student accommodation, hotels, retail units, offices, commercial fit-out and industrial projects across the UK. Full subcontracting packages for M&E contractors and main contractors.

Every project includes RAMS documentation, site supervision, progress photo reports, air leakage testing where specified, and O&M documentation on handover.

Request a Quote Send Drawings / RFQ

Ductwork Types We Install

All to BESA DW/144

Standard commercial

Rectangular Ductwork

Low-velocity supply and extract systems for offices, retail, hotels, education and healthcare. Galvanised mild steel, fabricated and installed to DW/144 class B or C as specified. The most common ductwork type in commercial buildings.

Where: offices · retail · hotels · education · healthcare

High velocity / plant rooms

Circular & Spiral Ductwork

Circular and spiral-wound ductwork for high-velocity distribution systems, plant rooms, risers and industrial applications. Lower pressure drop and reduced air turbulence compared to rectangular. Suitable for exposed architectural finishes.

Where: plant rooms · industrial · PBSA · exposed ceiling

Low-clearance installations

Flat Oval Ductwork

Flat oval combines the airflow efficiency of circular ductwork with a lower profile for space-constrained installations — narrow ceiling voids, corridor runs and above-ceiling fit-out. Ideal where coordination with structure and other services is critical.

Where: retail fit-out · offices · corridors · ceiling voids

Fire safety systems

Fire-Rated Ductwork

Fire-rated ductwork for kitchen extract, smoke extract and fire-compartment penetrations. Installed to BS476 Part 24, EN1366-1 and EN1366-8 classifications as required. Fire-rated collars, dampers and access panels. Documentation and certification on handover.

Where: kitchen extract · smoke systems · compartment walls · stairwells

Hygiene-critical environments

Stainless Steel Ductwork

Grade 304 or 316 stainless steel ductwork for commercial kitchen extract, catering, food production, cleanroom and marine applications. Resistant to grease, moisture and corrosion. Welded or flanged to TR19 grease hygiene standard where applicable.

Where: commercial kitchens · food production · cleanrooms · marine

Thermal & acoustic performance

Pre-Insulated Ductwork

Phenolic foam or mineral wool pre-insulated ductwork panels for supply air systems requiring high thermal performance and low condensation risk. Factory-insulated panels with aluminium facing. Reduces site labour and improves consistency compared to post-installation insulation.

Where: cold rooms · data centres · AHU supply systems · cleanrooms

Final connections

Flexible Ductwork

Insulated and non-insulated flexible ductwork for final connections from rigid distribution to grilles, diffusers and terminal units. Low-vibration links to fan coil units and AHUs. Installed to maximum 1.5m runs per DW/144 guidance.

Where: FCU connections · diffuser drops · VAV terminals · MVHR valves

What's Included

Full Ductwork Subcontracting Package

From drawing review through to leakage test results and O&M manuals — we manage the complete ductwork scope. Not labour-only supply.

Drawing Review & Coordination

We review issued drawings and specifications, identify coordination clashes with structural and other M&E services, and raise RFIs before site start — not during installation.

RAMS Documentation

Method statements and risk assessments specific to the project — issued before site start. Updated if scope, access or working conditions change. Signed copies to client for site record.

Ductwork & Supports Installation

Full installation of all ductwork runs, hangers, brackets, sleeves and supports in accordance with DW/144. Vertical and horizontal distribution — from plant room to terminal units.

Fire Dampers & Access Panels

Supply and installation of fire dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers, access panels and test points where specified. Damper schedule and certification supplied on completion.

Grilles, Diffusers & Terminal Devices

Supply and installation of all air terminal devices — linear diffusers, circular ceiling diffusers, transfer grilles, adjustable-blade grilles and acoustic attenuators as specified.

Air Leakage Testing

Pressure testing of ductwork to DW/143 class where specified or required. Test results documented and submitted to client. Essential for BREEAM, Building Regulations compliance and M&E contractor sign-off.

Progress Photo Reports

Photographic progress reports at key stages throughout the installation. Shared with client/main contractor. Provides a visual audit trail and reduces disputes at practical completion.

O&M Documentation & Handover

Operation and maintenance manuals, as-built records, leakage test results, fire damper schedule and warranty documentation compiled and submitted at practical completion.

Sectors We Install Ductwork For

All sectors

Student Accommodation

MEV extract ductwork for PBSA schemes. High-volume, multi-storey installations. Active: Central Quay Glasgow — 32+ weeks on site.

Hotels & Hospitality

Bedroom, kitchen extract and AHU ductwork for hotel refurbishments and new build. Completed: Carlton Hilton Edinburgh, Taymouth Castle.

Retail & Shopping Units

Supply and extract ductwork for retail units, food and beverage outlets and shopping centres. Completed: IKEA Dundee.

Offices & Commercial

Rectangular and spiral ductwork for office fit-out, commercial refurbishment and new build. VAV systems, FCU connections, riser ductwork.

Education

Supply and extract ductwork for schools, colleges and universities. Acoustic attenuators, low-velocity distribution to classrooms and lecture theatres.

Healthcare & Care Homes

Ventilation ductwork for care homes, GP surgeries and healthcare facilities. Filtration, isolation room supply/extract, hygiene-critical installations.

Leisure & Golf Clubs

Ventilation ductwork for leisure facilities, clubhouses and sports buildings. Ongoing: Dunbar Golf Club, East Lothian.

Industrial & Warehouse

Spiral and circular ductwork for industrial extract, process ventilation and warehouse HVAC. Large-diameter runs, high-volume systems, structural steelwork coordination.

Project in Focus

All projects

MEV ductwork installation — Central Quay student accommodation Glasgow

Active Project · P-01

Central Quay, Glasgow
MEV Ductwork — Student Accommodation

MEV extract ductwork installation throughout a multi-storey purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Glasgow city centre. Full subcontracting package — RAMS documentation, supervised installation, progress reporting and handover documentation.

Location Central Quay, Glasgow

Sector PBSA — Student Accommodation

Type MEV ductwork installation

Weeks on site 32+ wks

Status Ongoing · 2026

Discuss a similar project

For M&E Contractors

Ductwork Subcontracting Packages

We provide complete ductwork subcontracting packages to M&E contractors and main contractors across the UK. Send us your drawings and specification — we'll quote within 48 hours.

✓
Full RAMS documentation — method statements and risk assessments specific to your project, issued before site start
✓
Site supervision on all packages — Technical Director (20+ years HVAC) and experienced installation team
✓
Progress photo reports — at key stages throughout installation, shared with your team
✓
Leakage testing to DW/143 — documented results supplied with O&M pack
✓
£10m EL · £5m PL · £1m PI insurance — all documentation available for PQQ
✓
CSCS, IPAF 3a/3b, PASMA — all site staff carded. Full training matrix on request.

Submit a Subcontract Enquiry Send Drawings

Cliventa Engineering ductwork installation team on elevated platform

Ductwork Installation — FAQs

What is DW/144 and why does it matter?

DW/144 is the BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) specification for sheet metal ductwork — the UK standard that defines how ductwork should be designed, fabricated, installed and tested. It is the baseline requirement for all commercial ductwork in the UK and is specified by virtually every M&E contractor and building services engineer. All Cliventa installations are carried out to DW/144 as standard.

Do you provide air leakage testing?

Yes. We carry out air leakage testing to DW/143 class where specified — class A (low-pressure), B (medium-pressure) or C (high-pressure) as required. Leakage test results are documented and included in the O&M handover package. This is increasingly mandatory on commercial projects and required for BREEAM credits.

Can you install fire-rated ductwork?

Yes. We install fire-rated ductwork to BS476 Part 24, EN1366-1 (fire resistance of ventilation ducts) and EN1366-8 (smoke extraction ducts) as specified. We also install fire dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers and access panels, and supply a completed damper schedule and certification on handover.

What is the minimum ductwork package you take on?

We work on ductwork packages of all sizes — from single-floor commercial fit-out to multi-storey PBSA and hotel schemes. For small commercial fit-out works, we assess on a case-by-case basis depending on programme and location. Contact us to discuss your project.

How quickly can you quote and mobilise?

We provide detailed ductwork quotes within 48 hours of receiving drawings and specification. For programme-critical packages, call us directly — we can usually confirm availability and start date within 24 hours. Our installation team is mobile and programme-ready.

What areas do you cover for ductwork installation?

We are based in Dundee with active projects in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perthshire and East Lothian. We cover Central Scotland as our primary operating area and take on UK-wide ductwork subcontracting packages for M&E contractors on commercial projects.

Ready to Discuss a Ductwork Package?

Send us your drawings and specification and we'll come back with a detailed quote within 48 hours. For programme-critical enquiries, call directly.

Request a Quote Send Drawings / RFQ +44 7388 088741

Ductwork Installation Contractor All types. All sectors.Installed to DW/144.