NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-035

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-035.

CONDUCT TESTS ON THE MORE COMMON TYPES OF MECHANICAL JOINTS USED ON PLASTIC PIPE. PUBLISH THE RESULTS OF THESE TESTS TO MEMBER COMPANIES ALONG WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MANUFACTURERS REGARDING WHETHER THE JOINT SHOULD BE USED FOR GASTIGHTNESS ONLY OR ALSO FOR PULLOUT RESISTANCE.

Priority: CLASS III

Overall Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Issued Date: 1978-07-19

Adopted Date: 1978-07-05

Overall Date Closed: 1987-01-12

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: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1987-01-12

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1978-08-24

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR FROM AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION: AT ITS NEXT MEETING, THE GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE PLASTIC PIPE RESEARCH GROUP WILL CONSIDER RESEARCH ON THE FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE 1979 RESEARCH PROGRAM. THE GRI HAS AN ONGOING PLASTIC PIPE RESEARCH PROGRAM AT BATTELLE COLUMBUS LABORATORIES. THESE STUDIES INCLUDE AGING AND STRESS EFFECTS. FIELD EXPERIENCE AND LABORATORY TESTS SHOWED THAT FAILURES CAN BE EXPECTED AT JOINTS DUE TO STRESS CONCENTRATION. INCREASED FOCUS ON PLASTIC JOINTS WILL BE A MAIN AGENDA ITEM AT THE NEXT GRI PLASTIC PIPE RESEARCH GROUP MEETING. 3/23/79 - AGA LTR: THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH TOPICS ARE BEING OR WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE AGA AND THE GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE: (1) ANALYSIS OF FIELD EXPERIENCE WITH POLYETHYLENE PIPE. (2) JOINT DESIGN AND FIELD INSTALLATION TECHNOLOGY. 11/16/79 - AGA LTR: SAFETY RECOMMENDATION BEING ADDRESSED IN GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE RESEARCH PROGRAM.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1987-01-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THIS IS ACTUALLY A FOLLOWUP AND THE FOLLOWING IS A HISTORY OF PAST CORRESPONDENCE. AGA'S AUGUST 24, 1978, & MAR. 23, 1979, LETTERS AND NTSB'S APRIL 16, 1979, LETTER.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1980-02-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1987-01-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence