Guidanceguidance
P-78-049
NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-049
Current as of 1978-08-21 Government source
RegulusPipeline researchRegulusPipeline researchP-78-049
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
This material provides agency context. It does not replace binding regulatory text, and its legal effect depends on the underlying authority and facts.