Once an area inside the home has been isolated — typically by sealing it off with plastic barriers, zip walls, or similar containment methods — the next critical step is practicing separation.

Isolation is about controlling the spread of contaminants within the structure.

Separation is about protecting people and important possessions by increasing distance from the contaminated area.

Both isolation and separation are essential because:

• Even well-constructed containment barriers can sometimes fail under pressure, especially if negative air is not properly maintained.
• Fine particles, microbial VOCs, and other airborne contaminants may still migrate if doors, vents, or high-traffic areas are not carefully managed.

Separation minimizes exposure — giving occupants and valuables a safer buffer while the situation is stabilized, evaluated, and remediated.

In this lesson, you will learn how to think about separation as a critical second layer of protection, beyond just setting up barriers.