NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-039

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-039.

PROVIDE TEST DATA TO THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THEM AS TO WHAT THE SAFE APPLICATION SHOULD BE FOR EACH FITTING THAT DRESSER MANUFACTURES TO JOIN PLASTIC PIPE.

Priority: CLASS III

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-07-19

Adopted Date: 1978-07-05

Overall Date Closed: 1983-01-04

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: Dresser Industries, Inc.

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-01-04

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: DRESSER MANUFACTURING COMPANY LETTER: RECOMMENDATION P-78-39 SUGGESTED FORWARDING OF TEST DATA AND APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS TO AGA. SUCH MATERIAL IS READILY AVAILABLE TO AGA, BUT IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT AGA DOES NOT ENCOMPASS WITHIN ITS SCOPE THE COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC PRODUCTS.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-01-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence