NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-067

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-067.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE LONE STAR GAS COMPANY: EDUCATE ITS CONSTRUCTION INSPECTORS AS TO THE NECESSITY FOR CORRECT INSTALLATION PLASTIC PIPING SYSTEMS.

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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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 CONDUCTED INTENSIVE RETRAINING OF ALL EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION OF POLYETHYLENE PLASTIC PIPING SYSTEMS. NO PERSON IS PERMITTED TO MAKE HEAT FUSION JOINTS OR TO SUPERVISE THE INSTALLATION OF POLYETHYLENE PLASTIC PIPING WITHOUT FIRST HAVING DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES. CONSTRUCTION INSPECTORS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR COMPETENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN A LIKE MANNER. THIS ACTION HAS MINIMIZED THE POSSIBILITY OF INCORRECT INSTALLATION DUE TO A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE; HOWEVER, NO AMOUNT OF EDUCATION CAN ABSOLUTELY PRECLUDE HUMAN ERROR.