Abstract: In an external steel sleeve for reinforcing or for providing a seal to prevent leakage in a pipe, the sleeve consists of steel plate material that is shaped and sized to encircle a portion of the length of the pipe. The top and bottom halves of the sleeve each consist of steel shaped plate, and the bottom half in addition has zippers welded on either side. The sleeve may be installed while the carrier pipe is under operating pressure and temperature. Following cleaning of the pipe and sleeve surfaces, if necessary, including cleaning of any external anomalies on the section of pipe to be reinforced, an epoxy filler material is applied to the pipe over the area to be covered by the sleeve. The top and bottom halves of the sleeve are then placed around the pipe and initially tightened using hydraulic jacking devices.