Under-pressure tapping and access assembly for pressurized pipe

A kit for accessing and monitoring a fluid within a pressurized pipe, the kit comprising:

• an under-pressure tapping and access assembly including:
• a multi-branch portion sealingly coupled to an outer surface of the pressurized pipe;
• a tapping branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a tapping branch axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to a pipe axis of the pressurized pipe;
• and
• a first access branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a first access branch axis that is non-perpendicular relative to the pipe axis;
• a first valve coupled to the tapping branch;
• a second valve coupled to the first access branch;
• and
• a tool sized for insertion into the pressurized pipe via the second valve and the first access branch.

A method of tapping and accessing a pressurized pipe, the method comprising:

• attaching a multi-branch fitting to a section of the pressurized pipe, the multi-branch fitting including a tapping branch extending along a tapping branch axis that is substantially perpendicular to a pipe axis of the pressurized pipe, and a first access branch extending along a first access branch axis that is non-perpendicular relative to the pipe axis;
• hot-tapping the pressurized pipe via the tapping branch;
• and
• inserting a tool into the pressurized pipe via the first access branch.