# NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-048

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** P-78-048
- **title:** NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-048
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** National Transportation Safety Board
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1978-08-21
- **effective on:** 1978-08-21
- **summary:** REVIEW WITH ITS CONSTRUCTION CREWS AND OTHERS ENGAGED IN TAPPING OPERATIONS THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFYING POSITIVELY THE TYPE OF GAS MAIN INVOLVED BEFORE TAPPING IT. (URGENT)
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- **source url:** https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-78-048
**body:**

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-048.

REVIEW WITH ITS CONSTRUCTION CREWS AND OTHERS ENGAGED IN TAPPING OPERATIONS THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFYING POSITIVELY THE TYPE OF GAS MAIN INVOLVED BEFORE TAPPING IT. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-08-21

Adopted Date: 1978-08-08

Overall Date Closed: 1988-02-23

Synopsis: ON MAY 17, 1978, A COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO, INC., CONSTRUCTION CREW, MISTAKING AN 8-INCH, LOW-PRESSURE STEEL GAS MAIN FOR AN 8-INCH, HIGH-PRESSURE STEEL GAS MAIN, DRILLED A SMALL PILOT BIT HOLE THROUGH THE WALL OF THE LOW-PRESSURE GAS MAIN AND BEGAN TO CUT INTO THE PIPE WALL WITH A LARGE DIAMETER BIT. GAS FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE GAS SYSTEM ENTERED THE 14-INCH WATER COLUMN LOW-PRESSURE GAS MAIN AND RAPIDLY INCREASED THE PRESSURE IN THE LOW-PRESSURE SYSTEM IN A 4.8-SQUARE-MILE AREA OF MANSFIELD. THE MANSFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT BEGAN RECEIVING REPORTS OF FIRES CAUSED BY EXCESSIVELY HIGH APPLIANCE FLAMES ON GAS APPLIANCES. THERE WERE NO FATALITIES OR INJURIES REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. PROPERTY DAMAGE TO 16 HOUSES RESULTED FROM THE IGNITION OF NEARBY COMBUSTIBLES BY HIGH PILOT FLAMES; 5 OF THESE HOUSES WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA78FP019

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1988-02-23

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-09-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO LTR: COLUMBIA AGREES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN REVIEWED WITH SUPERVISIONS WITH RENEWED EMPHASIS ON POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION. CONSTRUCTION CREWS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THE SAME INFORMATION.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-02-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-12-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-02-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence
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