NTSB Safety Recommendation P-77-022

NTSB safety recommendation P-77-022.

INSTALL A CONTROL IN THE PUMP ROOM TO OPERATE THE PUMP VALVES FROM THAT LOCATION AT ANY TIME. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1977-08-31

Adopted Date: 1977-08-30

Overall Date Closed: 1978-05-04

Synopsis: ON JULY 8, 1977, AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE OCCURRED AT ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY'S PUMP STATION NO. 8 ON THE TRANS-ALASKA PIPELINE. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT ONE PERSON DIED AND FIVE PERSONS WERE INJURED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA77MP026

Report Number: PAR-78-02

Addressee Name: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1978-05-04

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1977-09-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY LTR: THE MAINLINE PUMP SUCTION AND DISCHARGE VALVES ARE NOW SET UP TO OPERATE IN A CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE PUMPS ARE SHUT DOWN. THIS CHANGE ALONG WITH THE LOCAL PUMP SHUTDOWN CONTROL NOW PROVIDES FOR LOCAL CONTROL OF VALVES. THE VALVES CANNOT REOPEN AS LONG AS THE PUMP IS SHUT DOWN. TO OPEN THE VALVE THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED BY PUMP SHUTDOWN, THE OPERATOR WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE VALVE AND HOLD IN THE "OPEN" BUTTON. 11/7/77 - ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY RESPONSE TO NTSB FOLLOW-UP LETTER OF 10/20/77: THE PUMP VALVES (MAINLINE PUMP SUCTION AND DISCHARGE) ARE SET UP TO OPERATE IN A CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE PUMP IS SHUT DOWN. NO OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED AND NONE ARE ANTICIPATED WITH THE CHANGE IN LOGIC THAT HAS PUMP VALVES CLOSED WHEN THE PUMP IS SHUTDOWN.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1977-10-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence