NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-066

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-066.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE LONE STAR GAS COMPANY: REVISE ITS PLASTIC PIPE CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS TO INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC TYPE AND SIZE REINFORCING SLEEVE TO BE USED WITH EACH TYPE OF SERVICE SADDLE-TAPPING NIPPLE CONNECTION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1972-12-13

Adopted Date: 1972-12-13

Overall Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 4, 1971, A WOMAN WHO RESIDED IN A SMALL, FRAME HOUSE AT 2109 AMANDA STREET IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS, LIT A GAS STOVE IN HER KITCHEN. A VIOLENT EXPLOSION BLEW OFF THE ROOF AND BLEW OUT THE FOUR WALLS OF THE HOUSE. THE ROOF FELL BACK INTO THE BURNING RUBBLE AND THE HOUSE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE WOMAN SUFFERED SEVERE BURNS.

Ntsbnumber: PLD72XR001

Report Number: PAR-72-05

Addressee Name: Lone Star Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1974-01-09

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM LONE STAR GAS COMPANY: LONE STAR GAS COMPANY REVISED ITS CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REINFORCING SLEEVE AS TO TYPE AND SIZE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE COMPANY'S SUPPLIER OF POLYETHYLENE PIPE AND FITTINGS, BEGAN SUPPLYING SERVICE SADDLE - TAPPING NIPPLE CONNECTION FITTINGS IN A PACKAGED KIT WHICH INCLUDES THE CORRECTLY SIZED REINFORCING SLEEVE. THIS ACTION HAS PRECLUDED THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PROPER REINFORCING SLEEVE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME A SERVICE LINE CONNECTION IS MADE.