This philosophy describes methods for

isolating sections of plant to permit safe

operation, and provide access for
maintenance or inspection.

To outline facilities required for

system/equipment draining, flushing,
blanketing and venting.
 Valve Isolation

Valve isolation is the standard way of

separating systems. Valves are generally
used to provide temporary isolation prior
to positive isolation being achieved.
There are two typical arrangements used
for valve isolation: single valve isolation
and double valve isolation.
Single Valve Isolation (SVI) is achieved when a
valve is used to isolate the equipment from a
pressure source (see figure 4.1).

Double Valve Isolation is the arrangement of

two valves in series for the purpose of isolating
two separate pressure systems from each other
or for the purpose of isolating a pressure
system from equipment (figure 4-2).
Valve Isolation with Bleed Systems: Isolation by
valves to perform maintenance or inspection work
shall follow valve integrity checks to determine
that the valves will not allow gas or fluid to pass.
The selection of isolation valves shall be
specified in each pipe class specification.
The valve selection shall be based on
operational requirements and economic
considerations.
 The following information shall be taken into account for selection:
 Required function
 Service conditions - (pressure, temperature, erosive / corrosive /
toxic service)
 Fluid type and condition - (liquid, gas, multi-phase, slurry, fouling
or non-fouling)
 Fluid characteristics - (viscous, solidifying fluid, scaling service)
 Frequency of operation
 Isolation requirements - (intervention on live service to degree of
leak tightness)
 Maintenance requirements (location and available facilities to
maintain)
 Environmental considerations (sensitivity to marine environment,
control of emissions)
 Past experience in comparable conditions
 Weight and size (any constraints)
 Cost ( whole life cycle costs should be considered)
 Positive Isolation

Positive isolation is achieved when there

is a guaranteed physical separation
between two systems. This type of
isolation is required in the following
circumstances:
 To isolate major items of equipment or a section of plant,
that is segregated for long term inspection or maintenance
without requiring a complete process shutdown.
 To permit isolation of vessels and tanks in preparation for
man entry.
 To prevent contamination, during normal operation, of utility
supplies, e.g. water and air, where these are permanently
connected to a process unit.
 To isolate utility services; e.g. fuel gas, atomizing, snuffing or
purging steam to individual fired heaters.
 When no leakage can be tolerated for safety or
contamination reasons.
Positive isolation SHALL be achieved by
one of the following methods and SHALL
be fully rated to the piping specification:
 Removal of a flanged spool piece or valve and
the fitting of blank flanges to the open ended
pipes.
 Rotating a spectacle blind.
 A spade (blind/blank) in accordance with ASME
B16.48. The arrangements of spading points,
together with venting, draining, and purging
facilities, shall enable a section of line containing
a spade (blind) to be checked as free from
pressure before spade insertion or removal.
 Locked Valve

All isolation valves shall be provided

with the ability to secure the valves in
position with proprietary bolt locking
device (ability to apply a locking device).
Secured valves are critical on systems
where for safety or for operational
reasons they are required to operate in
fixed open or shut position.
 Car Sealed Open/Closed (CSO) (CSC)
 Key locked Open/Closed (LO) (LC)
 Fail Open/Closed (FO) (FC)