NTSB Safety Recommendation P-19-009

NTSB safety recommendation P-19-009.

TO THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY: Throughout the Washington Gas network, implement an audit program to verify the data on the service forms used to determine the location and condition of mercury service regulators to ensure the accuracy of this safety-critical data.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2019-06-10

Overall Date Closed: 2020-08-06

Synopsis: On August 10, 2016, at 11:51 p.m., eastern daylight time, a 14-unit apartment building, located at 8701 Arliss Street, in the unincorporated community of Silver Spring, in Montgomery County, Maryland, partially collapsed due to a natural gas-fueled explosion and fire. The explosion and fire also heavily damaged an adjacent apartment building, 8703 Arliss Street, which shared a common wall with building 8701. As a result of this accident, 7 residents died, 65 residents were transported to the hospital, and 3 firefighters were treated and released from the hospital. The damage from the accident exceeded $1 million. The following are safety issues in this accident: • the location and inspection of service regulators within a structure • the inspection of the gas meter assembly • the notification of the natural gas odor to Washington Gas Light Company • the detection of natural gas through odorants and methane

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the explosion in building 8701 of the Flower Branch apartment complex was the failure of an indoor mercury service regulator with an unconnected vent line that allowed natural gas into the meter room where it accumulated and ignited from an unknown ignition source. Contributing to the accident was the location of the mercury service regulators where leak detection by odor was not readily available.

Keywords: Hazmat

Ntsbnumber: DCA16FP003

Report Number: PAR-19-01

Addressee Name: Washington Gas

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2020-08-06

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2019-06-10

Communication Type: Transmittal Letter

Communication Contents: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents in other modes of transportation—railroad, highway, marine, and pipeline. We determine the probable cause of the accidents and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. In addition, we carry out special studies concerning transportation safety and coordinate the resources of the federal government and other organizations to assist victims and their family members affected by major transportation disasters. We are providing the following information to urge your organization to act on the safety recommendations in this letter because we believe your organization can help reduce the risk of future accidents. For more information about NTSB and our recommendation process, please see the attached one-page summary. On April 24, 2019, the NTSB adopted its report, Building Explosion and Fire, Silver Spring, Maryland, August 10, 2016, NTSB/PAR-19/01. The details of this accident investigation and the resulting safety recommendations may be found in the attached report, which can also be accessed at http://www.ntsb.gov. As a result of this investigation, the NTSB identified the following safety issues: • The location and inspection of service regulators within a structure. • The inspection of the gas meter assembly. • The notification of the natural gas odor to Washington Gas Light Company. • The detection of natural gas through odorants and methane. Accordingly, the NTSB makes the following safety recommendations to the Washington Gas Light Company. Additional information regarding these recommendations can be found in the noted sections of the report. • Throughout the Washington Gas network, implement an audit program to verify the data on the service forms used to determine the location and condition of mercury service regulators to ensure the accuracy of this safety-critical data. (P 19 009) (See section 2.3.9.) • Revise your procedures and field forms to require technicians to verify the integrity of vent lines following the testing of indoor service regulators throughout the Washington Gas network. (P-19-010) (See section 2.3.5.) • Establish a time frame with specific dates and milestones for the replacement of mercury service regulators throughout the Washington Gas network that recognizes the need to expedite this program and that prioritizes multifamily dwellings where mercury service regulators are located inside the property. (P-19-011) (See section 2.3.10) • Install all new service regulators outside occupied structures. (P-19-012) (See section 2.3.10.) • Relocate existing interior service regulators outside occupied structures whenever the gas service line, meter, or regulator is replaced. In addition, multifamily structures should be prioritized over single-family dwellings. (P-19-013) (See section 2.3.10.) The NTSB is vitally interested in these recommendations because they are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. We would appreciate a response within 90 days, detailing the actions you have taken or intend to take to implement these recommendations. When replying, please refer to the safety recommendations by number (for example, P-19-009). We encourage you to submit your response to correspondence@ntsb.gov. If your reply exceeds 20MB, including attachments, please e-mail us at the same address for instructions on how to send larger documents. Please do not submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy of the same response.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2019-09-09

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Adrian Chapman, President and Chief Executive Officer, WGL (Washington Gas Light): The recommended audit program is under way and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2019. For additional detail, please see the attached submissions to the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia public utility commissions. Consistent with Washington Gas's commitment to operating a safe and reliable system, we propose to undertake the above actions as enhancements to the safety of our system and consistent with our regulatory obligation as a safe and prudent operator. Nothing in this letter or in the proposed actions to be taken should be misunderstood as agreement with the NTSB's determination of probable cause in this matter.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2020-05-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Donald “Blue” Jenkins, President, Washington Gas: The implementation of this program is completed and in practice.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2020-04-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We note that you initiated the recommended audit program, and that it was scheduled for completion by December 31, 2019. Please confirm that you completed this program. Pending completion of the audit program, Safety Recommendation P-19-9 is classified OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2020-08-06

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We note that you have implemented an audit program to verify the data on the service forms used to determine the location and condition of mercury service regulators. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-19-9 is classified CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION.