NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-013

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-013.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE PHILLIPS PIPE LINE COMPANY: REVISE THEIR PIPELINE OPERATING PROCEDURES AND INITIATE ANY EQUIPMENT CHANGES NECESSARY TO REDUCE SUBSTANTIALLY THE TIME REQUIRED TO SHUT DOWN THE PUMP STATIONS INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW AND REVISION SHOULD BE EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DISPATCHER FOR THE IMMEDATE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN OF ALL PUMP STATIONS TOGETHER WITH SOME MEANS OF PRACTICING THESE PROCEDURES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1972-03-01

Adopted Date: 1972-03-01

Overall Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Synopsis: ON DECEMBER 9, 1970, A RUPTURE OCCURRED IN THE PHILLIPS PIPELINE COMPANY SYSTEM IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, MISSOURI WHICH RELEASED 4,538 BARRELS OF PROPANE. AN EXPLOSION, EQUIVALENT TO 100,000 POUNDS OF TNT, AND A FIRE RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE WITHIN A 2 MILE RADIUS. NO FATALITIES OCCURRED, BUT TEN PERSONS SUSTAINED INJURIES.

Ntsbnumber: PLD71XR001

Report Number: PAR-72-01

Addressee Name: Phillips Petroleum Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1973-02-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM PHILLIPS: NEW CATHODE RAY TUBE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INSTALLED WHICH DISPLAYS THE TOTAL PIPELINE OPERATION ON A TV SCREEN. ANY UPSET CONDITION CAN BE IMMEDIATELY DETECTED BY THE OPERATORS ON DUTY. THIS COMPUTER CONTROLLED EQUIPMENT IS BEING PROGRAMMED FOR SHUTDOWN UNDER ANY OPERATION CONDITION WHICH INCLUDES EMERGENCIES. THE EQUIPMENT WILL ALSO BE USED FOR BATCH TRACKING WHEREBY THE DISPATCHERS WILL HAVE A CONTINUOUS LOG OF OF THE NUMEROUS INTERFACES AS THE VARIOUS PRODUCTS MOVE THROUGH THE PIPELINE SYSTEM. ALL OPERATING PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN REISSUED FOR USE BY THE DISPATCHER WHICH EXPEDITES SHUTDOWNS UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS.