A valve island that has vented non-active areas is disclosed. The valve island has a plurality of active gas passageways that are coupled together between components. At the junction between the different components the active fluid passageways are surrounded by a sealing surface. The sealing surface essentially surrounds some non-active areas. The non-active areas are vented to the outside air through one or more passageways. The non-active areas may be recessed from the sealing surface.