{"operation":"document","citation":"P-78-049","title":"NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-049","source_type":"guidance","agency":"National Transportation Safety Board","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1978-08-21","effective_on":"1978-08-21","summary":"REVISE ITS COMPANY PROCEDURE MANUAL TO REQUIRE THE USE OF PRESSURE GAUGES BEFORE TAPPING A GAS MAIN THAT CANNOT BE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED BY OTHER MEANS. (URGENT)","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/ntsb-recommendation-p-78-049.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/ntsb-recommendation-p-78-049.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/ntsb-recommendation-p-78-049","source_url":"https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-78-049","body":"NTSB safety recommendation P-78-049.\n\nREVISE ITS COMPANY PROCEDURE MANUAL TO REQUIRE THE USE OF PRESSURE GAUGES BEFORE TAPPING A GAS MAIN THAT CANNOT BE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED BY OTHER MEANS. (URGENT)\n\nPriority: CLASS I\n\nOverall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action\n\nIssued Date: 1978-08-21\n\nAdopted Date: 1978-08-08\n\nOverall Date Closed: 1978-12-14\n\nSynopsis: 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.\n\nNtsbnumber: DCA78FP019\n\nReport Number: None\n\nAddressee Name: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)\n\nAddressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action\n\nAddressee Date Closed: 1978-12-14\n\nAddressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry\n\nCommunication Date: 1978-09-25\n\nCommunication Type: Official Correspondence\n\nCommunication Contents: COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO LTR: THE COLUMBIA PROCEDURE DID CONTAIN SOME INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO PRESSURE GAUGES THIS REQUIREMENT WAS REVIEWED AFTER THE MANSFIELD INCIDENT AND THE WORDING OF THEIR MANUAL HAS BEEN REVISED TO FURTHER EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR THE USE OF PRESSURE GAUGES BEFORE TAPPING. THE REVISION TO THE MANUAL HAS BEEN COMPLETED.\n\nAddressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry\n\nCommunication Date: 1988-02-23\n\nCommunication Type: Official Correspondence\n\nAddressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry\n\nCommunication Date: 1978-12-14\n\nCommunication Type: Official Correspondence\n\nAddressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry\n\nCommunication Date: 1988-02-23\n\nCommunication Type: Official Correspondence","truncated":false,"body_characters":2240}