NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-013

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-013.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY: EXAMINE SAMPLE LOCATIONS OF UTILITY CROSSINGS AND TIE-INS, AND TAKE THE NECESSARY APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE MEASURES TO INSURE THAT MAINS ARE PROPERLY SUPPORTED.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1980-03-05

Adopted Date: 1980-02-22

Overall Date Closed: 1983-02-02

Synopsis: ON AUGUST 28, 1978, NATURAL GAS, WHICH HAD ESCAPED FROM A CIRCUMFERENTIAL FRACTURE IN A SOCKET HEAT-FUSION COUPLING ON A 2-IN. POLYETHYLENE (PE) MAIN, OPERATING AT 40-PSIG PRESSURE, MIGRATED BENEATH A ONE-STORY HOUSE IN GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA, EXPLODED, AND THEN BURNED. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED; THE HOUSE AT 2517 APACHE ROAD WAS DESTROYED; AND THREE ADJACENT HOUSES WERE DAMAGED. THE GAS WAS IGNITED BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE.

Ntsbnumber: FTW78FP014

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Northwestern Public Service Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-02-02

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-11-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LTR: (1) PROPER GAS LINE CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES, MORE SPECIFICALLY BACKFILL AND SUPPORT TECHNIQUES, WERE REVIEWED WITH COMPANY PERSONNEL THROUGH TRAINING PROGRAMS WITH FOLLOW-UP REFRESHER TRAINING AND SUPERVISORY REVIEW; (2) COMPANY PERSONNEL WERE ADVISED TO MONITOR NON-COMPANY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (SEWER AND PLUMBING, FOR EXAMPLE) WHICH WOULD AFFECT THE COMPANY'S GAS MAINS AND SERVICES AND TO DISCUSS WITH CONTRACTORS THE NEED FOR PROPER SUPPORT OF GAS MAINS AND SERVICES; (3) THE COMPANY INITIATED A PROGRAM TO CONDUCT MONTHLY FLAME IONIZATION LEAKAGE SURVEYS OVER ALL IDENTIFIABLE PLASTIC GAS MAINS MANUFACTURED BY THE FIRM WHICH HAD PRODUCED THE CRACKED COUPLING; (4) THE COMPANY INITIATED A PROGRAM, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED, TO REPLACE ALL PLASTIC TEES, ELBOWS AND END CAPS MANUFACTURED BY THE FIRM WHICH HAD PRODUCED THE CRACKED COUPLING.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-02-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence