NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-031

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-031.

TRAIN AN INSTALLATION INSPECTOR ON THE VARIOUS CODE PROVISIONS AND HAVE HIM INSPECT EACH JOINT FOR CODE COMPLIANCE. THE TIME REQUIRED FOR TEMPERATURE STABILIZATION OF INSERTED PLASTIC PIPE AND THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS OF COMPRESSION COUPLING SHOULD ESPECIALLY BE INSPECTED.

Priority: CLASS III

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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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: OUR COMPANY SUPERINTEN DENT OF CONSTRUCTION, THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION, AND EACH CREW FOREMAN IS TRAINED AS AN INSPECTOR - ADDITIONAL TRAINING CONTINUES PERIODICALLY FOR THESE MEN, ALONG WITH ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT, TO MEET NEW DOT REGULATIONS.

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