Flame Arrester Manufacturer

Flame arresters function by absorbing heat from a flame as it tries to pass through. The device contains a specially designed element—such as a crimped ribbon or perforated plate—that dissipates the flame’s thermal energy, reducing it below the ignition point and preventing combustion from continuing.

They are used in various industries, including oil and gas, chemical processing, fuel storage, marine transportation, and facilities handling flammable gases. Applications include tank vents, process pipelines, storage vessels, and gas distribution systems.

Common types include

• In-line flame arresters—Installed within pipelines.
• End-of-line flame arresters—Mounted at the end of vents or openings.

They can also be categorized by flame-arresting element (e.g., crimped ribbon, sintered metal) or by function (e.g., deflagration or detonation arresters).

• (Combustion) Deflagration flame arresters are designed to stop slow-moving flames (subsonic combustion).
• (Explosion) Detonation flame arresters are built to contain high-speed flames that travel at or above the speed of sound (supersonic combustion) and often involve higher-pressure shock waves.

Selection depends on several factors:

• Type of gas or vapor
• Explosion group classification (IIA, IIB, IIC)
• Process pressure and temperature
• Flow rate requirements
• Installation location (in-line or end-of-line)

Consulting with a flame arrester manufacturer or safety engineer is recommended for critical applications.

Yes. Over time, debris, corrosion, or blockages may affect performance. Regular inspections and cleaning, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, are essential to ensure continued safe operation.

High-quality flame arresters are tested and certified according to international standards such as API 2028, EN 12874, ISO 16852, ATEX, or UL. Certification ensures that the device meets stringent safety and performance criteria.

Flame arresters are highly effective within their design parameters, but they must be correctly selected for the specific application and gas group. Using the wrong type or installing it incorrectly can lead to failure. Always follow engineering recommendations and certified specifications.

Failure to contain a flame can result in fire propagation, equipment damage, or even explosions. This is why proper sizing, certification, and maintenance are crucial to safe operation.

Consequences of Flame Arrester Failure

A flame arrester is a critical safety component in systems handling flammable gases or vapours. If it fails to Consequences of Flame Arrester Failure

A flame arrester is a critical safety component in systems handling flammable gases or vapours. If it fails to perform as intended, the consequences can be severe and far-reaching. Key risks include:

1. Flame Propagation

Failure allows flames to travel through pipelines or vent lines, potentially igniting downstream gas mixtures and spreading fire across connected systems.

2. Likelihood of a combustion-related incident

Uncontrolled ignition of flammable gases or vapours can result in powerful explosions, posing a major hazard to both facilities and personnel.

3. Compromise of technical systems and infrastructure 

Explosions or sustained fires can severely damage process equipment, storage vessels, pipelines, and structural components, leading to high repair costs.

4. Peril to life

Personnel in proximity to the failure zone face serious threats, including burns, blast injuries, or fatalities—especially in confined or high-risk areas.

5. Environmental Contamination

Release of hazardous substances due to flame arrester failure can pollute air, water sources, and surrounding land, triggering regulatory action and cleanup obligations.

6. Operational Disruption

Shutdowns following an incident can halt production, delay operations, and result in significant financial losses due to downtime and compliance investigations. as intended, the consequences can be severe and far-reaching. Key risks include:

1. Flame Propagation

Failure allows flames to travel through pipelines or vent lines, potentially igniting downstream gas mixtures and spreading fire across connected systems.

2. Explosion Risk

Uncontrolled ignition of flammable gases or vapours can result in powerful explosions, posing a major hazard to both facilities and personnel.

3. Damage to Equipment and Infrastructure

Explosions or sustained fires can severely damage process equipment, storage vessels, pipelines, and structural components, leading to high repair costs.

4. Risk to Human Life

Personnel in proximity to the failure zone face serious threats, including burns, blast injuries, or fatalities—especially in confined or high-risk areas.

5. Environmental Contamination

Release of hazardous substances due to flame arrester failure can pollute air, water sources, and surrounding land, triggering regulatory action and clean-up obligations.

6. Operational Disruption

Shutdowns following an incident can halt production, delay operations, and result in significant financial losses due to downtime and compliance investigations.

Choosing the Right Flame Arrester with Fidicon – 

Selecting the appropriate flame arrester depends on several key operational and environmental factors. At Fidicon, we recommend evaluating the following:

• Type of gas or vapor involved and its explosion group classification
• Flow characteristics, including direction and volume
• Temperature and pressure conditions under normal and potential upset scenarios
• Environmental considerations, such as the presence of corrosive agents or moisture
• Installation point, whether it’s for in-line or end-of-line us

For optimal safety and performance, consult with Fidicon’s technical team or a certified safety engineer to ensure the arrester meets your system’s specific requirements.

Common materials include:

Casted and Fabricated

• Stainless steel (for corrosion resistance) CF8 / SS 304, CF8M / SS 316, SS 316L, SS 321 and other stainless steel grade is customary for internal components.
• Aluminium / LM6
• Brass
• Hastelloy or other special alloys for harsh environments
• ASTM A216 Gr. WCB / CS / MS & PTFE, Halar, PFA coating/lining

Yes, for the most part. It should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s guidelines to remove junk, oxidation , or blockages. But in case the element is damaged, it must be replaced.

At Fidicon, the Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG) is defined as the maximum width of a gap between two precisely machined metal surfaces that effectively prevents flame transmission to an external flammable gas-air mixture under standardized testing conditions.

This value is critical in assessing whether a flame arrester is suitable for preventing flame propagation for a particular gas group. MESG is used as a benchmark in the classification of gases and vapours into explosion groups, directly influencing the design and selection of appropriate flame-arresting equipment.

MESG is critical because it explains the flame-arresting potential of a device for particular gases. Gases with smaller MESG values are more prone to ignition and require flame arresters with finer element structures to safely stop flame transmission.

The Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG) is a critical factor in selecting the appropriate flame arrester for a given application. MESG indicates how easily a particular gas or vapor can transmit a flame through a narrow gap. Gases with a lower MESG value are more prone to flame propagation and require flame arresters with finer element structures to effectively quench the flame.

In the context of flame arrester selection, MESG is used to classify gases into explosion groups (e.g., IIA, IIB, IIC), which directly impacts the design, construction, and certification of the arrester. Selecting a flame arrester without considering the MESG of the process gas can result in inadequate protection and potential equipment failure or explosion.

At Fidicon, MESG is a fundamental parameter in engineering flame arresters that meet international safety standards and ensure reliable performance across a wide range of hazardous environments.

• Methane: ~1.14 mm
• Hydrogen: ~0.28 mm
• Propane: ~0.90 mm
• Ethene: ~0.65 mm

Flame arrester selection based on service media is critical to ensure safety and compliance with standards like API 2000, NFPA 69, and ISO 16852. The correct flame arrester depends on the type of media, operating conditions, and installation location.

MESG cannot be precisely quantified for unidentified mixtures—it must be experimentally evaluated due to the complex behaviour of gases under combustion conditions.

Not exactly. MESG is a test result, while the flameproof gap is a design feature of equipment based on MESG data. Equipment must have a gap smaller than the MESG of the gas it will be exposed to.

The maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) is determined through a standardized laboratory procedure that assesses a flammable gas or vapor’s ability to propagate an explosion through narrow gaps. This process involves igniting the gas mixture inside a closed test chamber equipped with a pair of precisely adjustable metal flanges or joints.

During testing, the gap between these flanges is gradually increased. The aim is to identify the widest gap through which the internal ignition does not ignite the surrounding atmosphere. The maximum width at which no flame transmission occurs is recorded as the MESG.

This value is critical for classifying gases into hazardous area gas groups (such as IIA, IIB, or IIC under IEC and ATEX standards) and for designing flameproof enclosures in explosion-protected equipment.

MESG testing is conducted in compliance with recognized international standards, including IEC 60079-20-1 and NFPA 497, ensuring global consistency and safety across industries like oil & gas, chemical processing, and pharmaceuticals.

Yes, MESG values for common industrial gases are published by organizations such as NFPA, IEC, NEC (NFPA 70), and ATEX standards. Always refer to the most current standards for compliance.

MESG values play a crucial role in designing explosion-proof devices, classifying hazardous zones, and choosing appropriate electrical components. These values are essential across various sectors such as oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, mining, and pharmaceuticals to ensure safety and compliance with industry standards.