NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-035

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-035.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE COLUMBIA LNG CORPORATION: REVISE THE FIREFIGHTING TRAINING FOR COVE POINT PERSONNEL TO INCLUDE PERIODIC FIRE AND EMERGENCY DRILLS. THESE DRILLS SHOULD PROVIDE REALISTIC TRAINING EXERCISE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1980-05-07

Adopted Date: 1980-04-16

Overall Date Closed: 1982-05-03

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 6, 1979, AN EXPLOSION CAUSED BY LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) VAPERS 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 KILLD, AND ONE PERSON WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. DAMAGE TO THE FACILITY WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $3 MILLION.

Keywords: Fire, Training and Education

Ntsbnumber: DCA80MP001

Report Number: PAR-80-02

Addressee Name: Columbia LNG Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1982-05-03

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1980-06-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: COLUMBIA LNG CORPORATION LTR: DRILLS WERE HELD AT THE TERMINAL ON APRIL 24, 1980, AND MAY 29, 1980, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE HELD PERIODICALLY.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1981-11-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: COLUMBIA LNG CORPORATION LTR: BEGINNING IN APRIL 1980, FIRE AND EVACUATION DRILLS WERE CONDUCTED AT THE TERMINAL ON A MONTHLY BASIS UNTIL THE SUMMER OF 1981. SHIPMENTS OF LNG TO THE TERMINAL CEASED IN APRIL 1980 AND THE LAST LNG WAS SENT OUT IN DECEMBER 1980. THE MONTHLY FIRE AND EVACUATION DRILLS COMMENCE WITH THE SOUNDING OF THE EMERGENCY ALARMS (PNEUMATIC HORNS) WHICH WERE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE TERMINAL IN OCTOBER 1980. THE DRILLS WERE DESIGNED TO TEST THE RESPONSE OF TERMINAL EMPLOYEES IN MANNING EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND IN FOLLOWING PLANNED EVACUATION ROUTES. IN ADDITION, ONE FIRE DRILL WAS CONDUCTED IN WHICH A DISASTER WAS SIMULATED. SOME ONE THOUSAND GALLONS OF LIQUID NITROGEN WAS RELEASED ON THE GROUND NEAR A MAJOR PIPING MANIFOLD TO SIMULATE A MAJOR LNG LEAK. THIS DRILL WAS CONDUCTED IN COOPERATION WITH TWO OF THE LOCAL FIRE AND RESCUE COMPANIES. TERMINAL PERSONNEL ON DUTY SIMULATED SHUTTING DOWN AFFECTED PORTIONS OF THE PLANT, MAKING THE NECESSARY EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALLS AND AIDING FIRE AND RESCUE PERSONNEL IN VAPOR CONTROL PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT OF INJURED. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FIRE DISASTER DRILL WILL BE CONDUCTED TWICE ANNUALLY WHEN THE TERMINAL BECOMES OPERATIONAL.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1981-10-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-05-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence