Over the past month, Pacific Flow Control has completed several no-valve hot tap projects across Western Canada. Among them, one of the most notable was a 36×30 inch no-valve hot tap performed on a Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) domestic water transmission main in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Projects of this scale showcase the advantages of modern live pipeline intervention techniques. By utilizing a no-valve hot tap configuration, municipalities can add new connections to critical transmission infrastructure while avoiding costly shutdowns and minimizing impacts to customers.
As water systems continue to expand and evolve, no-valve hot taps are becoming an increasingly valuable solution for utilities seeking safe, efficient, and cost-effective infrastructure modifications.
What Is a No-Valve Hot Tap?
A no-valve hot tap is a specialized hot tapping method that allows a connection to be installed on a live pipeline without the use of a conventional tapping valve.
Depending on the project requirements, the connection may ultimately be integrated into a future chamber, valve installation, transmission main upgrade, or system expansion project. Eliminating the need for a traditional tapping valve can reduce material costs, simplify installation requirements, and provide additional flexibility during design and construction.
No-valve hot taps are particularly effective on large-diameter transmission mains where minimizing infrastructure costs and maintaining system operation are key project objectives.
Why Utilities Use No-Valve Hot Taps
Municipal water systems often require modifications while remaining fully operational. Transmission mains cannot always be shut down without affecting customers, critical facilities, or overall system reliability.
No-valve hot taps offer several advantages:
• No interruption to water service
• Reduced project costs
• Fewer components compared to traditional installations
• Improved flexibility for future infrastructure upgrades
• Reduced operational impact
• Ability to work on active transmission mains
For municipalities and utility operators, these benefits can help accelerate projects while maintaining service continuity.
Additional Advantages of No-Valve Hot Taps
No-valve hot taps provide additional flexibility when project requirements call for valve types other than traditional gate or ball valves.
Key advantages include:
• Compatible with butterfly valves, plug valves, and other non-pass-through valve configurations where conventional hot tapping methods may not be preferred.
• Significant cost savings on large-diameter projects by eliminating the need for an expensive tapping valve or by allowing the use of more economical butterfly or plug valves.
• Reduced project lead times by expanding the range of valve options available, helping utilities and contractors avoid long wait times associated with large-diameter gate valves.
These advantages make no-valve hot taps an attractive solution for municipalities and utilities looking to reduce project costs while maintaining flexibility in system design and construction.
Working on PCCP Transmission Infrastructure
Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) remains one of the most widely used materials for large-diameter water transmission systems throughout North America.Manufactured to AWWA C301 standards, PCCP combines a steel cylinder, concrete, and prestressing wire to create a strong and durable pipeline capable of operating under significant pressure.
PCCP is commonly used in:
• Municipal water transmission mains
• Regional water supply systems
• Water treatment facilities
• Critical infrastructure projects
Because many PCCP systems have been in operation for decades, municipalities frequently require specialized solutions that allow upgrades and expansions without taking these essential assets out of service.
Another Recent No-Valve Hot Tap Project
The Pacific Flow Control team has completed several impressive no-valve hot taps in recent weeks.In addition to the 36×30 inch PCCP hot tap in Kelowna, our crew recently completed a 30×18 inch no-valve hot tap on an HDPE pipeline in Delta, British Columbia.
These projects demonstrate the versatility of no-valve hot tapping across a variety of pipe materials and applications. Whether working on PCCP transmission mains or HDPE pipelines, Pacific Flow Control delivers engineered hot tapping solutions that allow municipalities and utilities to modify critical infrastructure while keeping systems in service.
36×30 PCCP No-Valve Hot Tap in Kelowna
This recent project involved the installation of a 36×30 inch no-valve hot tap on a domestic water PCCP transmission main in Kelowna.
Large-diameter PCCP hot taps require careful planning, engineered procedures, specialized equipment, and experienced field personnel. Every stage of the project must be executed with precision to maintain pipeline integrity while creating a new connection on an active water system.
The successful completion of this project highlights Pacific Flow Control's expertise in performing complex hot taps on critical municipal water infrastructure throughout Western Canada.
Why Hot Tapping Matters
Hot tapping allows municipalities and utilities to maintain, expand, and improve infrastructure while keeping systems operational.
Common applications include:
• New transmission main connections
• Chamber construction projects
• Future valve installations
• System expansion initiatives
• Water network upgrades
• Connections for new developments
By avoiding full shutdowns, utilities can reduce project risk, minimize disruption, and maintain reliable service to customers.
Where We Work
Pacific Flow Control supports municipal, utility, industrial, and infrastructure projects throughout Western Canada.
Alberta
Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Airdrie, Fort McMurray, and surrounding communities.
British Columbia Lower Mainland
Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Langley, Coquitlam, Delta, Maple Ridge, and neighbouring municipalities.
Vancouver Island
Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River, Duncan, and surrounding areas.
BC Interior
Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm, and nearby communities.
Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and surrounding regions.
Need a No-Valve Hot Tap?
Projects such as this 36×30 inch PCCP no-valve hot tap demonstrate how municipalities can safely modify critical water infrastructure while maintaining uninterrupted service.
Whether your project involves PCCP, BWCCP, steel pipe, ductile iron pipe, or other transmission infrastructure, Pacific Flow Control has the equipment, expertise, and experience to complete complex hot tapping projects safely and efficiently.
Contact Pacific Flow Control today to discuss your upcoming hot tapping or live pipeline intervention project.