Pipe branching manifold (7, 38) having a multitude of pipe branches (3, 42), a. each of the pipe branches (3, 42) having an entry block valve, an exit block valve, and a bleed outlet with a bleed valve between the entry block valve and the exit block valve, wherein in a standard operation of each pipe branch (3, 42), the respective entry block valve and exit block valve are open, and the respective bleed valve is closed, and wherein in a test operation or maintenance operation of each pipe branch (3, 42), the respective entry block valve and exit block valve are closed, and the respective bleed valve is open, and b. the manifold (7, 38) having a selector means (12, 39) for selecting either none or one out of the pipe branches (3, 42) for switching from standard operation to test operation or maintenance operation, wherein the selector means (12, 39) allows only the one entry block valve of the selected pipe branch (3, 42) to be closed, which subsequently allows the respective bleed valve and exit block valve to be opened and closed to switch to test operation or to maintenance operation respectively, characterized in that c. the selector means (12, 39) has a standard blocking element (23, 43), and a test permitting element (31, 48), and that d. each of the entry block valves has an entry control means (8, 9, 41, 51, 67, 84) with a standard blocking counter element (24, 45) positively fitting to the standard blocking element (23, 43), and with a test permitting counter element (32, 50) positively fitting to the test permitting element (31, 48), wherein in standard operation of the respective pipe branch (3, 42), mechanical interaction of the standard blocking element (23, 43) and the standard blocking counter element (24, 45) prevents the entry block valve from closing, and wherein after selecting the respective pipe branch (3, 42) for test operation, mechanical interaction of the test permitting element (31, 48) and the test permitting counter element (32, 50) allows for closing the entry block valve and subsequent opening and closing of the respective bleed valve and exit valve, to enable either the test operation or the maintenance operation. a. each of the pipe branches (3, 42) having an entry block valve, an exit block valve, and a bleed outlet with a bleed valve between the entry block valve and the exit block valve, wherein in a standard operation of each pipe branch (3, 42), the respective entry block valve and exit block valve are open, and the respective bleed valve is closed, and wherein in a test operation or maintenance operation of each pipe branch (3, 42), the respective entry block valve and exit block valve are closed, and the respective bleed valve is open, and b. the manifold (7, 38) having a selector means (12, 39) for selecting either none or one out of the pipe branches (3, 42) for switching from standard operation to test operation or maintenance operation, wherein the selector means (12, 39) allows only the one entry block valve of the selected pipe branch (3, 42) to be closed, which subsequently allows the respective bleed valve and exit block valve to be opened and closed to switch to test operation or to maintenance operation respectively, c. the selector means (12, 39) has a standard blocking element (23, 43), and a test permitting element (31, 48), and that d. each of the entry block valves has an entry control means (8, 9, 41, 51, 67, 84) with a standard blocking counter element (24, 45) positively fitting to the standard blocking element (23, 43), and with a test permitting counter element (32, 50) positively fitting to the test permitting element (31, 48),