ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR COSTLY BYPASS SYSTEMS AND SHUTDOWNS
Whether managing a sprawling municipal water network or a critical high-pressure industrial facility, downtime is rarely an option. Hot tapping and line stopping services from Colt® allow for seamless system expansion, repair, and modification while your lines remain under full operating conditions.
This allows for efficient installation of valves, sensors, or other devices, facilitating process control and enhancing operational flexibility. Hot tapping and line stops also minimize the need for costly and time-consuming pipeline modifications, reducing overall project timelines and costs.
With its ability to mitigate downtime, increase efficiency, and enhance system integrity, hot tapping empowers facility operators and civil engineers to maintain seamless operations, optimize productivity, and respond swiftly to changing operational requirements. Colt’s engineering and fabrication capabilities allow for the custom design and manufacturing of specialty hot tap and line stop fittings upon request.
VERSATILE GEOMETRY/PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES:
- Size on size pipe
- Reduced branch
- Tangential (angle) taps
- Flat tank taps
- Taps into fittings, elbows, and blind flanges
- Handling extreme flow rates and temperatures
COMPREHENSIVE EQUIPMENT:
- Pressure ratings up to 2300psi with balanced machines
- Temperature ratings: Cryogenic to 700°F, up to 1000°F available for special circumstances.
- Boring bar travels up to 120”
HOT TAPPING & WET TAPPING
Hot tapping (or wet tapping) is the process of making a new branch connection to a live pipe or vessel without any loss of product or pressure. This technique eliminates the need for system-wide depressurization, removes the possibility of contamination, and avoids the environmental impact of purging lines.
- Materials: Compatible with all pipe materials including Ductile Iron, PVC, HDPE, Steel, AC, Cast Iron, and PCCP (Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe).
- Applications: New construction tie-ins, installation of bypass systems, pressure/vacuum gauge installation, and the creation of new service or fire suppression lines.
- Versatility: We provide a variety of taps including offset, angle, and tank taps, performed by certified technicians in full coordination with your personnel.
LINE INTERVENTION & ISOLATION
By temporarily halting the flow of fluids, workers can perform maintenance, repair, and inspection tasks without the risk of exposure to hazardous substances or potentially dangerous operational conditions. Bypasses can be used to keep downstream equipment operational. Line stops are commonly used for maintenance projects such as isolating or replacing leaking valves, replacing a damaged or corroded line section, or removing dead legs. They are also used in capital projects such as facility expansions, new utility tie-ins, and debottlenecking. Colt’s line-stop capabilities include:
- Single and Double Line Stopping: We provide temporary isolation for pipe sizes ranging from residential lines to large-scale 78-inch municipal mains.
- Line Stop with Bypass: Maintain uninterrupted service by bypassing fluids through our specialized housing and returning them into a downstream entry point.
- Line Freezing: A non-invasive isolation method ideal for indoor or localized applications where adding a mechanical fitting is not preferred.
Additional line-stop capabilities from Colt® include:
- Pivoting head line stop
- Folding head line stops
- Hot tap insertable bladder
- Extreme duty line stops
- Freeze stops
- Steam stops
VALVE INSERTION
While line stops provide temporary isolation for repairs, valve insertion offers a permanent flow control solution for aging infrastructure or expanding systems. Colt® provides on-line valve insertion services that allow for the installation of a permanent, fully operational gate valve directly into an existing pressurized pipeline—eliminating the need to depressurize the system or interrupt service downstream.
In many municipal and industrial systems, existing valves may be lost,” paved over, or seized due to age. Traditional replacement typically requires a complete system shutdown. Today, using advanced insertion technology, Colt technicians install a permanent valve body around the live pipe. A specialized milling machine then creates a precise opening in the pipe wall while maintaining a pressure-tight seal. The valve cartridge is inserted and secured, providing immediate, standard-operating control of the line.
Key Benefits of Valve Insertion
- Zero Downtime: Keep your critical processes or municipal water services running at full pressure throughout the entire installation.
- Immediate Isolation: Once installed, the valve is ready for immediate use to isolate sections for future maintenance or emergency breaks.
- Small Footprint: Requires minimal excavation compared to traditional “cut-in” methods, reducing restoration costs and environmental impact.
- Universal Compatibility: Our insertion solutions are compatible with a wide range of pipe materials, including Cast Iron, Ductile Iron, PVC, and Steel.
SOLUTIONS OVERVIEWS
Hot Tap Line Stop Solutions Overview
Municipal & Underground Utility Solutions
THE COLT DIFFERENCE: PRECISION AND SCALE
- National Reach & Rapid Response: With strategic locations across the country and 24/7 response teams, we are equipped to handle both scheduled maintenance and emergency infrastructure failures.
- In-House Engineering & Manufacturing: Our 65,000+ sq. ft. flagship manufacturing facility and in-house Professional Engineers allow us to design and fabricate custom fittings for unique geometries that off-the-shelf solutions cannot handle.
- Advanced Technology: We utilize 3D scanning in conjunction with our proprietary COLTConnect® platform to capture precise site data, ensuring that every fitting and isolation tool matches your system’s exact specifications.
- Safety & Compliance: All water industry processes meet NSF/ANSI 61 standards for potable water systems, ensuring community safety and regulatory compliance.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
3.5” Thick Plate Tap Utilizing Specialty Tank Cutter
Hot Tap, Linestop and Special Bypass Fitting
Folding Head Linestop
Refinery Slop Header Linestop
Six 1.5″ Hot Taps Completed
HERE WHERE YOU NEED US
The Colt Group provides hot tap (hot tapping), wet tap (wet tapping), single line stopping, double line stopping, line stop with bypass, HTLS, line freezing, and valve insertion services across the country. Find us in the states listed below by visitng our Contact page or calling our national 24/7 hotline at 800.324.2658.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington