NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-037

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-037.

CONDUCT ODOR LEVEL TESTS PROMPTLY IN EACH DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM DOWNSTREAM OF PRESSURE REDUCTION STATIONS TO DETERMINE THE GAS-IN-AIR RATIO AT WHICH THE ODOR IN THE GAS IS FIRST DETECTABLE. BASED UPON THE RESULTS, TAKE NECESSARY ACTION TO ASSURE THAT ALL PROTIONS OF THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS ARE ODORIZED SUFFICIENTLY TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO ANY INADVERTENT RELEASE OF GAS. THE METHODS USED TO PERFORM THESE TESTS, THE LOCATION OF THE TEST POINTS, AND ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1976-06-18

Adopted Date: 1976-06-18

Overall Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Synopsis: ON JUNE 9, 1976, A HOUSE AT 1214 OAK STREET IN NILES, MICHIGAN, EXPLODED AND BURNED. THE EXPLOSION AND FIRE DESTROYED THE HOUSE AND CRITICALLY BURNED THE THREE OCCUPANTS.

Keywords: Hazmat

Ntsbnumber: DCA76FP020

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Michigan Power Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1976-07-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM MICHIGAN POWER CO.: ODOROMETER "SNIFF" TESTS WERE COMPLETED JUNE 11, 1976, IN THE NILES 3 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH SYSTEM. TESTS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS TO ASSURE ALL REPRESENTATIVE AREAS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM HAVE ODOR LEVELS IN ACCORDANCE WITH MICHIGAN GAS SAFETY CODE RULE 625. FOUR JW ODOROMETERS ORDERED TO EXPEDITE THE WORK.