Hot Tapping / Under Pressure Drilling

Is a method of providing a branched connection with an isolating valve to a live gas, heating or chilled water pipe without interrupting the supply, avoiding any shutdowns or purging of the gas, or draining of the system.

The branch can be attached by welding or mechanical clamp, a full bore isolation valve is then installed, the branch and valve is then pressure tested and a sealed drill rig attached to the valve. The pipe is then drilled while the valve is in the open position, the drill is then withdrawn and the valve closed. The drill is then removed from the valve and a blanking flange or plug fitted.

The installation is completed without leakage or loss of supply. This procedure can be carried out on most pipe materials including mild steel, cast or MDPE pipe. Branch connections from 1” to 6”.

Frequently Asked questions by customers

"Can you weld directly onto live gas, heating, chilled water pipes and is it safe?"

Yes in fact the majority of hot tappings we carry out are welded to live gas pipework however if welding is not possible a permanent mechanical clamp can be used to form the branch.

"Is there any leakage or spillage from the pipework?"

No leakage occurs during the process however a very small amount of residual liquid is retained in the drill rig on removal about a pint.

"Does the system need to be closed down, drained or purged?"

No all systems remain fully operational during the process.

"What size branch can you install?"

In theory any size of branch can be installed however our equipment allows us to drill a range from 1” to 6” at pressures of up to 4 bar on gas and 16 bar on water.

Hot Tapping Equipment

Pipe drilling machine for hot tapping DN25 to DN150 holes in water pipes at upto16 bar working pressure and low pressure gas pipe-lines up to 4 bar.

All our staff are Gas Safe registered, hold IPAF Licenses, CSCS cards, and have been CRB checked  and are accredited to and have achieved either City and Guilds, NVQs, ACS, or NJIC standards as part of their training and are fully conversant with the latest legislation for our industry.