NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-026

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-026.

REQUIRE AN ENGINEER OR ENGINEERING CONSULTANT FIRM TO REVIEW THE DESIGN OF ITS PLASTIC PIPELINE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE DESIGN OF ANCHORS, SO THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS TO PREVENT PULLOUT AT THE MECHANICAL JOINT FOR EACH PIPE SIZE AND INSERTION LENGHT.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-07-19

Adopted Date: 1978-07-05

Overall Date Closed: 1979-02-01

Synopsis: ON DECEMBER 15, 1977, A 2-INCH PLASTIC GAS MAIN UNDER AN ALLEY IN DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE, KANSAS, PULLED OUT OF A COMPRESSION COUPLING WHICH JOINED IT TO A STEEL GAS MAIN. NATURAL GAS ESCAPED FROM THE MAIN AND MIGRATED THROUGH THE STONE FOUNDATION WALLS OF TWO NEARBY BUILDINGS. THE ACCUMULATIONS OF GAS IN THE TWO BUILDINGS IGNITED. THE RESULTING EXPLOSION AND FIRE DESTROYED ONE BUILDING, SEVERELY DAMAGED THE OTHER BUILDING, AND BROKE NEARBY WINDOWS. TWO PERSONS WERE KILLED AND THREE PERSONS WERE INJURED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA78MP005

Report Number: PAR-78-04

Addressee Name: Kansas Public Service Company, Inc.

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1979-02-01

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-12-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: KANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LTR: THE ROBERT R. BAYLES CONSULTING ENGINEERING FIRM WAS FORMALLY HIRED DURING SEPTEMBER OF 1978. THEY ARE INVOLVED IN DESTRUCTIVE BURST TESTS AND REVIEWING THE SYSTEM DESIGN. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IS BEING PLACED ON PLASTIC PIPE.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-04-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1979-02-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence