NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-026

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-026.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: IN ADDITION TO RECENTLY PROMULGATED PART 193, IMPLEMENT REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING ADEQUATE MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS FOR LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) FACILITIES. SUCH REGULATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, SAFETY ANALYSIS, ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS, INSPECTION, FIRE PREVENTION/PROTECTION, PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS, AND SITING.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1980-05-07

Adopted Date: 1980-04-16

Overall Date Closed: 1981-05-07

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 6, 1979, AN EXPLOSION CAUSED BY LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) VAPORS DESTROYED A TRANSFORMER BUILDING AT THE RECEPTION FACILITY OF THE COLUMBIA LNG CORPORATION, COVE POINT, MARYLAND. ODORLESS LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS LEAKED THROUGH AN INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED LNG PUMP SEAL, VAPORIZED, PASSED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 210 FT OF UNDERGOUND ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND ENTERED THE SUBSTATION BUILDING. ONE PERSON WAS KILLED, AND ONE PERSON WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. DAMAGE TO THE FACILITY WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $3 MILLION.

Ntsbnumber: DCA80MP001

Report Number: PAR-80-02

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1981-05-07

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-01-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION LTR: FINAL RULES FOR PART 193 COVERING SITING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND TESTING FACILITIES TOGETHER WITH PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING PERTAINING TO THESE SUBJECTS WERE PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 11, 1980. FINAL RULES ON OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE, FIRE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY, WITH ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING RELATING TO THESE SUBJECTS WERE PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 23, 1980 NTSB COMMENTED ON THE RULEMAKING STATING THAT THE RULES APPEARED ADEQUATE FOR MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS COVERING THE ITEMS LISTED IN THE RECOMMENDATION. SAFETY ANALYSIS IS COVERED UNDER P-80-29.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-05-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence