NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-027

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-027.

CONDUCT DESTRUCTIVE BURST TESTS ON EACH TYPE OF JOINT BY WHICH A PLASTIC PIPELINE IS CONNECTED TO INSURE THAT THE JOINT IS AS STRONG AS THE PIPE BEING JOINED.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-07-19

Adopted Date: 1978-07-05

Overall Date Closed: 1982-08-03

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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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: 1982-08-03

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-04-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: KANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LTR: THIS TESTING WAS COMPLETED AT THE MIDWEST RESEARCH LABORATORY IN KANSAS CITY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE FIRM OF ROBERT R. BAYLES AND ASSOCIATES.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-12-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-08-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence