NTSB Safety Recommendation P-73-044

NTSB safety recommendation P-73-044.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE ATLANTIC GAS LIGHT COMPANY: IMPROVE ITS RECORD-KEEPING SYSTEM SO THAT THE NUMBER AND CAUSES OF CAST-IRON MAIN BREAKS CAN BE READILY OBTAINED.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1973-08-24

Adopted Date: 1973-08-16

Overall Date Closed: 1976-07-20

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: Atlanta Gas Light Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1976-07-20

Addressee Acronym: AGL

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1974-07-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM ATLANTA GAS LIGHT COMPANY: AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TO MAINTAIN A LOG OF ALL REPORTED CAST-IRON BREAKS. EACH CASE WILL BE RECORDED BY LOCATION, MAIN SIZE AND PROBABLE CAUSE OF BREAK, IF KNOWN. CAST-IRON BREAKS NOW REPRESENT A VERY MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL LEAKS REPORTED.