NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-068

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-068.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE LONE STAR GAS COMPANY: UNDERTAKE A PROGRAM ACCEPTABLE TO THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, TO INSPECT ON A RANDOM SAMPLE BASIS THE PLASTIC SERVICE LINE-GAS MAIN CONNECTIONS, SIMILAR TO THOSE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE TO DETERMINE THE PRESENT CONDITION OF AND THE EXISTING STRESS ON THE PIPING. THE RESULTS OF THIS PROGRAM WILL DETERMINE THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THE OTHER INSTALLATIONS IN THE LONE STAR SYSTEM. COPIES OF THESE TEST RESULTS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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 MADE A RANDOM SAMPLING, REPLACING ALL SERVICE LINE CONNECTIONS THAT WERE INSTALLED WITH A REINFORCING SLEEVE OF IMPROPER TYPE AND SIZE. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ROUTINELY MONITOR ANY EXCAVATION OF AN EXISTING POLYETHYLENE INSTALLATION TO ASSURE THAT NO IMPROPER SLEEVE INSTALLATION EXISTS.