NTSB Safety Recommendation P-73-042

NTSB safety recommendation P-73-042.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS GAS PIPING STANDARDS COMMITTEE: DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF GRAPHITIZATION OF CAST-IRON PIPE BY MEANS OF VISUAL EXAMINATION, AS REQUIRED IN 49 CFR 192.459, AND THE EFFECTS OF SUCH GRAPHITIZATION ON POSSIBLE FUTURE LEAKS OR FRACTURES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1973-08-24

Adopted Date: 1973-08-16

Overall Date Closed: 1976-09-10

Synopsis: A GAS EXPLOSION OCCURRED ON AUGUST 31, 1972 IN THE ANNEX BUILDING OF AN ATLANTA, GA., HIGH SCHOOL. GAS HAD LEAKED INTO THE BUILDING FROM A CRACKED CAST-IRON MAIN LOCATED BENEATH THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE ANNEX. ATLANTA GAS LIGHT COMPANY (AGL) PERSONNEL ARRIVED AT THE LEAK SITE APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AFTER AGL WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE LEAK AND APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR BEFORE THE EXPLOSION. ONE PERSON DIED AND SEVEN OTHERS WERE INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.

Ntsbnumber: PLD72XR005

Report Number: PAR-73-03

Addressee Name: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1976-09-10

Addressee Acronym: ASME

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1973-09-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN OF ASME GAS PIPING STANDARDS COMMITTEE: THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION IS PUTTING TOGETHER A LONG RANGE RESEARCH PLANNING PROGRAM, BROKEN UP INTO FIVE MAJOR SECTORS OF INTEREST. ONE OF THE MAJOR AREAS INCLUDED FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS CAST IRON PERFORMANCE. WE ARE GIVING PARTICULAR CONSIDERATION TO METHODS OF DETECTING GRAPHITIZATION AND OTHER DEFECT AREAS PRIOR TO FAILURE. 3/75 - ADDENDA NO'S. 10 AND 11 OF THE ASME GUIDE FOR GAS PIPING SYSTEMS WAS PUBLISHED AND INCLUDED THE RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES.