NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-027

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-027.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: REQUIRE THAT ALL BUILDINGS AND SIMILAR ENCLOSURES WITHIN LNG FACILITIES CONNECTED BY PIPING OR CONDUIT BE FITTED WITH AN EFFECTIVE MEANS FOR DETECTING LNG VAPORS AND ALERTING COMPANY PERSONNEL.

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: SECTION 193.2819(F) OF THE NEWLY PUBLISHED REGULATIONS REQUIRES THAT ALL ENCLOSED BUILDINGS BE CONTINUOUSLY MONITORED FOR COMBUSTIBLE GAS, USING INSTRUMENTATION EQUIPPED WITH AUDIBLE OR VISIBLE ALARMS. CONSISTENT WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION, PART 193 ALSO REQUIRES THAT OTHER AREAS IN AN LNG PLANT WHERE FLAMMABLE FLUIDS COULD CREATE A HAZARD MUST BE CONTINUOUSLY MONITORED AS WELL.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-05-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence