NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-052

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-052.

ADVISE ITS MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT AND URGE THEM TO KEEP ACCURATE RECORDS OF FACILITIES AND TO INSTRUCT CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CREWS IN THE IMPORTANCE OF VERIFYING THESE FACILITIES BEFORE WORKING ON THEM.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-08-21

Adopted Date: 1978-08-08

Overall Date Closed: 1980-02-14

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

Ntsbnumber: DCA78FP019

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1980-02-14

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1979-11-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: 11/16/79 - AGA LTR: SAFETY RECOMMENDATION BEING ADDRESSED IN GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE RESEARCH PROGRAM.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1980-02-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence