NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-034

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-034.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT: THE OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY AMEND 49 CFR 192 TO INCLUDE A SECTION BASED ON A REVIEW OF THE SUITABILITY OF THREADED GALVANIZED PIPE, OR PIPE COATED WITH OTHER DISSIMILAR METALS, FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Issued Date: 1972-11-08

Adopted Date: 1972-11-08

Overall Date Closed: 1979-04-27

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 4, 1971, A SMALL EXPLOSION AND INTENSE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED A HOUSE AT 8300 JERRIE JO DRIVE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS. THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED THE DEATHS OF A FATHER AND HIS TWO SONS AND THE SEVERE BURNING OF THEIR MOTHER. ALMOST 3 HOURS LATER, THE NEIGHBORING HOUSE AT 8304 JERRIE JO EXPERIENCED AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN THE GARAGE WHICH CAUSED THE DEATH OF THE WOMAN OCCUPANT AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE.

Ntsbnumber: PLD72XR006

Report Number: PAR-72-03

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1979-04-27

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1978-04-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: 1/16/73-LTR FROM DOT: THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS (NBS) IS ANALYZING FOR OPS THE FAILED GALVANIZED PIPE INVOLVED IN THE SUBJECT INCIDENT AND THE GALVANIZED PIPE INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT AT WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND. WHEN THE FORMAL REPORTS ARE RECEIVED FROM THE NBS A DECISION WILL BE MADE ON THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN. 4/3/78 - OPSO LETTER IN RESPONSE TO 11/4/77 NTSB LETTER: AS A RESULT OF LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF THE PIPE INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT AND OTHER ANALYSES AND DATA, OPSO INITIATED A STUDY TO APPRIASE THE SERIOUSNESS OF CERTAIN TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY INDUCED CRACKING PROBLEMS IN PIPELINES. THE STUDY BEGAN IN JULY 1976 AND WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1978. FUTURE ACTION WILL BE BASED ON OPSO EVALUATION OF THE STUDY. 10/30/78 - MTB LTR: MTB HAS REVIEWED THE REPORT "ENVIRONMENTALLY INDUCED CRACKING OF NATURAL GAS AND LIQUID PIPELINES" AND OTHER INFORMATION AND HAS CONCLUDED THAT GALVANIZED PIPE OR PIPE COATED WITH DISSIMILAR METALS ARE NO MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT THAN OTHER TYPES OF METALLIC PIPING MATERIALS. MTB BELIEVES THAT GALVANIZED PIPE AND PIPE COATED WITH DISSIMILAR MATERIALS ARE SUITABLE FOR USE IN GAS SYSTEMS PROVIDED THEY MEET REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR 192. MTB DOES NOT ANTICIPATE RULE CHANGES IN THIS AREA.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1979-04-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence