# NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-049

- **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)
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- **source url:** https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-78-049
**body:**

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-049.

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)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-08-21

Adopted Date: 1978-08-08

Overall Date Closed: 1978-12-14

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: 1978-12-14

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-09-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication 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.

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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