EN 15089:2009
(Main)Explosion isolation systems
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard describes the general requirements for explosion isolation systems. An explosion isolation system is a protective system, which prevents an explosion pressure wave and a flame or only a flame from propagating via connecting pipes or ducts into other parts of apparatus or plant areas. This European Standard specifies methods for evaluating the efficacy of the various explosion isolation systems, and methods for evaluating design tools for such explosion isolation systems when applying these in practice.
This European Standard also sets out the criteria for alternative test methods and interpretation means to validate the efficacy of explosion isolations.
It covers e.g.:
a) general requirements for the explosion isolation components;
b) evaluating the effectiveness of an explosion isolation system;
c) evaluating design tools for explosion isolation systems.
This European Standard is applicable only to the use of explosion isolation systems that are intended for avoiding explosion propagation between interconnected enclosures, in which an explosion may result as a consequence of ignition of an explosive mixtures e.g., dust-air mixtures, gas-(vapour-)air mixtures, dust-, gas-(vapour-)air mixtures and mists.
In general explosion isolation systems are not designed to prevent the transmission of fire or burning powder either of which can initiate an explosion in downstream plant items. It is necessary to take this situation into account in risk assessments.
This European Standard is only applicable for gas and dust explosions of chemically stable substances and mixtures of these (flame propagating at subsonic velocity).
This European Standard is not applicable for explosions of materials listed below, or for mixtures containing some of those materials:
i) chemically unstable substances that are liable to decompose;
ii) explosive substances;
iii) pyrotechnic substances.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 24-Mar-2009
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Sep-2009
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 22-Nov-2013
- Completion Date
- 22-Nov-2013
- Directive
- Harmonized Standard2014/34/EU - Directive 2014/34/EU Of The European Parliament And Of The Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (recast)OJ Ref: C, C 126, HARMONIZIRAN OJ Date: 08-Apr-2016
Not Harmonized94/9/EC - Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)OJ Ref: C, C 97 OJ Date: 16-Apr-2010
Overview - EN 15089:2009 (CEN)
EN 15089:2009 is a European (CEN) standard that defines general requirements and test methods for explosion isolation systems. It covers systems intended to prevent propagation of explosion pressure waves and flames through connecting pipes and ducts between interconnected enclosures. The standard applies to gas and dust explosions of chemically stable substances with subsonic flame propagation and sets criteria to validate isolation efficacy and design tools. It also supports essential requirements of relevant EU directives (see Annex ZA).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and exclusions: Applicable to dust-air, gas-(vapour)-air mixtures and mists. Not applicable to chemically unstable substances, explosive or pyrotechnic materials, or to flame arresters (see EN 12874).
- Types of isolation: Defines active (sensor + control + actuation) and passive isolation systems.
- Component requirements:
- Detection devices (optical, pressure, other actuation)
- Indicating equipment (IE) and Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE), including safety integrity considerations
- Explosion isolation devices: fast-acting isolation valves, extinguishing barriers, rotary valves, diverters, interlocked double valves
- System design: Guidance on integrating isolation with other explosion protection techniques (venting, suppression, explosion-resistant design) and on designing installation distances and closing times.
- Testing and validation: Specifies experimental evaluation and reporting, organized into Test Modules A, B and C:
- Module A - explosion resistance testing
- Module B - flameproof testing
- Module C - functional testing (for passive and active devices)
- Information for use and marking: Requirements for documentation, user instructions and product marking.
Practical applications and users
EN 15089 is relevant for professionals involved in explosion safety, including:
- Process and safety engineers designing dust- and gas-handling systems
- Manufacturers of explosion isolation equipment (valves, diverters, extinguishers)
- System integrators and plant operators implementing explosion protection strategies
- Notified bodies and conformity assessors verifying compliance with EU directives
- Risk assessors selecting appropriate protective measures for interconnected enclosures
Use cases include prevention of explosion propagation between silos, reactors, ducts, cyclones, conveying lines and other interconnected enclosures in chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and bulk-handling industries.
Related standards
Normative references and complementary standards to consult:
- EN 12874 (flame arresters)
- EN 13237 (terms/definitions)
- EN 13673-1 / -2 (gas explosion characteristics)
- EN 14034-1 / -2 (dust explosion characteristics)
- EN 14373 (explosion suppression)
Keywords: EN 15089, explosion isolation systems, explosion protection, active isolation, passive isolation, explosion isolation valve, dust explosions, gas explosions, CEN standard.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 16020:2011 - Explosion diverters - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
CEN/TR 16829:2016+AC:2019 - Fire and explosion prevention and protection for bucket elevators - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 15089:2009 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Explosion isolation systems". This standard covers: This European Standard describes the general requirements for explosion isolation systems. An explosion isolation system is a protective system, which prevents an explosion pressure wave and a flame or only a flame from propagating via connecting pipes or ducts into other parts of apparatus or plant areas. This European Standard specifies methods for evaluating the efficacy of the various explosion isolation systems, and methods for evaluating design tools for such explosion isolation systems when applying these in practice. This European Standard also sets out the criteria for alternative test methods and interpretation means to validate the efficacy of explosion isolations. It covers e.g.: a) general requirements for the explosion isolation components; b) evaluating the effectiveness of an explosion isolation system; c) evaluating design tools for explosion isolation systems. This European Standard is applicable only to the use of explosion isolation systems that are intended for avoiding explosion propagation between interconnected enclosures, in which an explosion may result as a consequence of ignition of an explosive mixtures e.g., dust-air mixtures, gas-(vapour-)air mixtures, dust-, gas-(vapour-)air mixtures and mists. In general explosion isolation systems are not designed to prevent the transmission of fire or burning powder either of which can initiate an explosion in downstream plant items. It is necessary to take this situation into account in risk assessments. This European Standard is only applicable for gas and dust explosions of chemically stable substances and mixtures of these (flame propagating at subsonic velocity). This European Standard is not applicable for explosions of materials listed below, or for mixtures containing some of those materials: i) chemically unstable substances that are liable to decompose; ii) explosive substances; iii) pyrotechnic substances.
This European Standard describes the general requirements for explosion isolation systems. An explosion isolation system is a protective system, which prevents an explosion pressure wave and a flame or only a flame from propagating via connecting pipes or ducts into other parts of apparatus or plant areas. This European Standard specifies methods for evaluating the efficacy of the various explosion isolation systems, and methods for evaluating design tools for such explosion isolation systems when applying these in practice. This European Standard also sets out the criteria for alternative test methods and interpretation means to validate the efficacy of explosion isolations. It covers e.g.: a) general requirements for the explosion isolation components; b) evaluating the effectiveness of an explosion isolation system; c) evaluating design tools for explosion isolation systems. This European Standard is applicable only to the use of explosion isolation systems that are intended for avoiding explosion propagation between interconnected enclosures, in which an explosion may result as a consequence of ignition of an explosive mixtures e.g., dust-air mixtures, gas-(vapour-)air mixtures, dust-, gas-(vapour-)air mixtures and mists. In general explosion isolation systems are not designed to prevent the transmission of fire or burning powder either of which can initiate an explosion in downstream plant items. It is necessary to take this situation into account in risk assessments. This European Standard is only applicable for gas and dust explosions of chemically stable substances and mixtures of these (flame propagating at subsonic velocity). This European Standard is not applicable for explosions of materials listed below, or for mixtures containing some of those materials: i) chemically unstable substances that are liable to decompose; ii) explosive substances; iii) pyrotechnic substances.
EN 15089:2009 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.230 - Explosion protection. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 15089:2009 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 15967:2022, EN 14034-2:2006+A1:2011, EN 12874:2001, EN 13237:2024, EN 14373:2021+A1:2025, EN 1127-1:2011, EN 1127-2:2014, EN 14491:2012, EN 16447:2014, EN 12779:2015, EN 16020:2011, EN 16985:2018, CEN/TR 16829:2016, EN 14983:2007, CEN/TR 16829:2016+AC:2019. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 15089:2009 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2014/34/EU, 94/9/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/BC/CEN/92/46. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
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