NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-028

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-028.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: INSTITUTE AN ONGOING INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR LNG FACILITIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, AND MAINTAINED IN A SAFE CONDITION AND COMPLY WITH ALL PERTINENT FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

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 ADMINSITRATION LTR: MTB CONDUCTS AN ONGOING INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR THE OPERATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF LNG FACILITIES OVER WHICH IT EXERCISES INSPECTION RESPONSIBILITY. STATE AGENCIES, WITH LNG PLANTS IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS, CARRY OUT THEIR OWN INSPECTION PROGRAMS WITH MTB OVERSIGHT. MTB HAS ESTABLISHED A TRAINING COURSE AT TSI IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR LNG FACILITY INSPECTION. IN ADDITION TO THESE FEDERAL AND STATE EFFORTS, INSPECTIONS BY THE FACILITY OPERATOR, AS REQUIRED BY THE NEW STANDARDS, WILL FOSTER PROMPT DETECTION OF UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-05-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence