NTSB Safety Recommendation P-07-003

NTSB safety recommendation P-07-003.

The National Transportation Safety Board makes the following safety recommendation to the Borough of Bergenfield: Establish and implement written operating procedures for responding to natural gas incidents and emergencies.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Issued Date: 2007-06-07

Adopted Date: 2007-05-01

Overall Date Closed: 2008-12-03

Synopsis: On December 13, 2005, at 9:26 a.m., an apartment building exploded in Bergenfield, New Jersey, after natural gas migrated into the building from a damaged pipeline. Safety Board investigators found a break in a 1 1/4-inch steel natural gas distribution service line that was operating at 11 1/2 pounds per square inch, gauge. The break occurred at an underground threaded tee connection downstream from where excavators were removing an oil tank that was buried under the asphalt parking lot adjacent to the building. The break occurred, under the parking lot, about 7 feet 4 inches from the building’s wall. Three residents of the apartment building were killed. Four residents and a tank removal worker were injured and transported to hospitals.

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the December 13, 2005, natural gas explosion and fire in Bergenfield, New Jersey, was the failure of the American Tank Service Company to adequately protect the natural gas service line from shifting soil during excavation, which resulted in damage to the service line and the release and migration of natural gas into the apartment building. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Public Service Electric and Gas Company to conduct effective oversight of the excavation activities adjacent to the gas service line and to be prepared to promptly shut off the flow of natural gas after the service line was damaged. Contributing to the casualties in the accident was the failure of the Bergenfield Fire Department to evacuate the apartment building despite the strong evidence of a natural gas leak and the potential for gas to migrate into the building.

Ntsbnumber: DCA06MP001

Report Number: PAB-07-01

Addressee Name: State of New Jersey, City of Bergenfield

Addressee Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Addressee Date Closed: 2008-12-03

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 2008-12-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board has reviewed the Bergenfield Fire Department’s Standard Operating Guideline (SOG), which was adopted and implemented by the Bergenfield Fire Department on January 26, 2006, prior to the issuance of the recommendation. We are pleased that the recommended procedures for responding to natural gas incidents and emergencies have been included in the SOG. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-07-3 is classified Closed Reconsidered.

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 2008-07-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 8/12/2008 2:34:35 PM MC# 2080479: : Please be advised that this office has been retained to represent the Borough of Bergenfield, The Bergenfield Fire Department, Former Chief John Pampaloni and the Bergenfield Police Department with regard to all matters pertaining to the explosion and fire that occurred on December 13, 2005 at 30 Elm Street, Bergenfield, New Jersey. I am in receipt of your letter dated June 25, 2008. In response to same, enclosed please find copy of Bergenfield Fire Department Standard Operating Guideline (SOG), which was adopted and implemented by the Bergenfield Fire Department on January 26, 2006. Please be advised that the content of this letter and/or the enclosures herein should in no way be construed to be an adoptive admission or provide any comment one way or another as to any potential liabilities of the above-named entities or persons at any time. Also, be advised that any actions taken by the above-referenced entities after the event are inadmissible and therefore, the Bergenfield Defendants reserve the right to bar the introduction of any such evidence at the time of any trial or legal proceeding pertaining to this matter. I trust this satisfies your inquiry. If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Very truly yours, John Robertelli, RivkinRadlet Attorneys at Law