Application
Explosion Isolation in Pharmaceuticals
Answer in brief
In pharmaceutical plants isolation competes with containment for the same ducts.
Suppressant entering the product is usually unacceptable, and opening a duct for a mechanical device conflicts with the closed system.
- Resolve the conflict with the containment strategy, not after it.
- Keep the documentation qualification-ready.
- Remember that small equipment still needs isolation.
Reviewed October 21, 2026 · Updated October 21, 2026
The problem
Mills, dryers and collectors are connected by short ducts, and the containment philosophy resists anything that opens them.
Desired outcome
Every connection between protected vessels either carries a tested isolation device or is shown not to need one.
Process approach
Where the product cannot tolerate suppressant, mechanical devices are used, with the duct geometry designed to give them the distance they need.
Device documentation becomes part of the qualification package, including the certified distance range and the test basis.
Detectors and control units are maintained under the same change control as the rest of the process equipment.
- Isolation method chosen together with the containment concept.
- Device documentation prepared for qualification.
- Maintenance and testing under change control.
Selection factors
- Product compatibility with suppressant.
- Duct geometry between protected vessels.
- Containment band and the effect of the device on it.
- Documentation required for qualification.
- Explosion characteristics of the active and the blend.
Common failure modes
- Suppressant rejected by quality after the device was installed
- Containment broken by the isolation arrangement
- Short duct leaving no certified option
- Device documentation missing at qualification
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