Hydrostatic Test & Isolation Plugs for Pressure Testing Pipe

Engineered Isolation and hydrostatic test plugs ensure the integrity and safety of piping systems

Pressure Testing Solutions

GSST ISOLATION/TEST PLUGS VS. WELDING END-CAPS

Isolation/Test plugs deliver faster turnarounds, lower costs, improved safety, and greater flexibility than welding end caps on pipe spools—transforming pressure testing from a bottleneck into a streamlined operation.

THE COMPARISON

GSST Isolation / Test Plugs

Recommended

Welding End-Caps

Legacy Method
Speed
Install in minutes with no hot work. Immediate test-readiness with rapid insertion and removal.
Speed
Requires welding, cooling, then grinding off after test. Each cycle adds hours of labor and downtime.
Cost
Reusable across multiple tests. No welders, no consumables, no post-test grinding or NDE required.
Cost
Single-use caps, welder labor, consumable materials, grinding, and follow-up inspections all drive up costs.
Safety
No hot work permits needed. Eliminates arc flash, fumes, and burn hazards. Cold installation process.
Safety
Open flame, arc flash, fumes, and hot metal. Requires hot work permits, fire watches, and PPE protocols.
Flexibility
Quickly reposition and reuse plugs across different pipe sizes and test configurations as needed.
Flexibility
Each cap is permanently welded and must be destructively removed. Changes require starting over.
Quality Impact
No heat-affected zones. When installed correctly, low risk of contamination or distortion to the pipe spool material.
Quality Impact
Welding introduces heat-affected zones, potential distortion, and requires post-weld NDE verification.

WHY PLUGS WIN

01

Faster Turnarounds

Eliminate welding and grinding time. Go from installation to pressure testing in minutes, not hours—keeping your project schedule on track.

02

Lower Total Cost

Reusable plugs replace single-use caps, welder labor, consumables, and post-weld inspections. The ROI is immediate and compounding.

03

Improved Safety

Zero hot work means no fire watches, no arc flash risk, no fume exposure, and no hot work permits. A fundamentally safer process.

04

Greater Flexibility

Quickly adapt to changing test configurations. Reposition plugs across different spools and pipe sizes without rework or waste.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Isolation/Test plugs transform pressure testing from a bottleneck into a streamlined operation—delivering speed, savings, safety, and flexibility that welding end-caps simply cannot match.

GSST Outboard Retraction Blocking (ORB)
High Pressure Plug

GSST Double Block & Bleed (DBB)
High Pressure Plug

GSST Reverse Pressure
Inboard Insertion Blocking (IIB)
High Pressure Plug

Customer Testimonial

"GripSafe plugs have been valuable assets on the LNGC site. The quick and easy installation, use, and removal of the plugs have made testing plain end pipe simple. The Lifting Device makes rigging of the larger plugs into position fast, convenient, and safe. The design of the grippers leave little to no marks inside the pipe. Torque values and plug info on the front plate makes plug identification and double-checking for the right plug usage easy. Overall, the GripSafe plugs are an excellent product."

T. Read / Hydro Foreman,
S. Daigle | Large Global EPC Company


Double Block & Bleed
Low Pressure

Flange Weld Test Plug
Med - High Pressure

Heavy Duty Isolation Plug
Low Pressure

Medium Duty Inflatable Pipe Plug
Medium Pressure

Wing Nut Expansion Plug
Low Pressure

Foreman Expansion Plug
Low Pressure

KEY BENEFITS FOR USING ISOLATION AND TESTING PIPE PLUGS

We manufacture and carry various hydrostatic mechanical pipe plug designs, among others. While pipe plugs may serve different purposes depending on the operator's application, they are classified as pipe fittings due to their function within piping systems.

Hydrostatic testing is a crucial quality assurance measure, especially during pipeline construction, maintenance, or repairs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations while enhancing safety and reliability.

  • Safeguard Your Workers.
  • Preserve Your Capital Assets.
  • Minimize Plant Downtime with USA Industries' gripping and mechanical pipe plugs. These plugs simplify the pressure testing and isolation process by removing the need for time-consuming welding or cutting of piping end caps.

USA Industries
Pipe Plug Solutions
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