NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-051

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-051.

REVISE 49 CFR 192 TO REQUIRE THAT GAS SYSTEM OPERATORS VERIFY THROUGH PRESSURE MONITORING OR OTHER MEANS THE IDENTITY OF ALL PIPELINES BEFORE PERFORMING HOT TAPS.

Priority: CLASS III

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-08-21

Adopted Date: 1978-08-08

Overall Date Closed: 1990-01-04

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 HIGH PILOT FLAMES; 5 OF THESE HOUSES WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA78FP019

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1990-01-04

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1978-11-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: MTB LTR: THEIR REVIEW OF THE REPORT HAS SHOWN THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD IMPROVE PIPELINE SAFETY. THE RECOMMENDATION WILL BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE 1979 RULEMAKING SCHEDULE IS MADE UP. THE 1979 SCHEDULE WILL BE FORWARDED AS SOON AS IT IS DEVELOPED.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-01-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1978-12-15

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1989-05-31

Communication Type: Official Correspondence