NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-071

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-071.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: EMPHASIZE TO ITS REGIONAL FIELD OFFICE PERSONNEL THE IMPORTANCE OF REQUIRING ALL MUNICIPAL GAS OPERATORS WITHIN THEIR REGION TO COMPLY WITH 49 CFR 192.615(D).

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1980-10-02

Adopted Date: 1980-09-09

Overall Date Closed: 1984-01-30

Synopsis: ON FEBRUARY 21, 1980, AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE DISTROYED FOUR STORES IN A SHOPPING COMPLEX, SEVERELY DAMAGED AN ADJOINING RESTAURANT, AND DAMAGED EIGHT CARS IN CORDELE, GEORGIA. GAS LEAKING FROM A 1-INCH SERVICE LINE AT 22 PSIG PRESSURE MIGRATED UNDER A CONCRETE BLOCK WALL, INTO A SERVICE LINE TRENCH, UNDER A CONCRETE SLAB FLOOR, AND INTO A JEWELRY STORE WHERE IT WAS IGNITED BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. OF THE EIGHT PERSONS WHO WERE INJURED, THREE DIED LATER AS A RESULT OF INJURIES RECEIVED IN THE ACCIDENT. BUILDINGS AND NEARBY AUTOMOBILES WERE DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY; NO ESTIMATE OF THE DOLLAR LOSS WAS MADE. THE GAS DEPARTMENT CONSTRUCTION CREW RESPONDED PROMPTLY TO THE ACCIDENT AND SHUT OFF GAS TO THE AFFECTED SECTION OF THE SHOPPING COMPLEX BY DIGGING UP AND CLOSING THE TAP TEE ON THE GAS MAIN. GAS SHUTOFF WAS COMPLETED 40 MINUTES AFTER THE EXPLOSION.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: PLD80XR001

Report Number: PAR-80-05

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1984-01-30

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-06-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RSPA MEMO FROM ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PAULLIN TO REGIONAL CHIEFS: FOLLOWING THESE INVESTIGATIONS, THE NTSB ISSUED SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS P-80-71 AND P-81-10 TO THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION. THESE SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NOT RESULT IN ANY NEW POLICY FOR MTB. HOWEVER, THEY SHOULD SERVE AS A REMINDER FOR THE REGIONAL PERSONNEL TO REVIEW ALL ITEMS CONTAINED IN 49 CFR 192.615 WHEN CONDUCTING GAS PIPELINE INSPECTIONS. IN ADDITION, THE REGIONAL CHIEFS, DURING THE ANNUAL MONITORING OF THE STATE AGENCY, SHOULD EMPHASIZE WITH THE APPROPRIATE STATE PERSONNEL THE IMPORTANCE OF VERIFYING OPERATOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF 49 CFR 192.615.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-07-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RSPA LTR: DURING THE YEARS 1976 THROUGH 1979, OPERATORS HAVE BEEN CITED BY MTB 266 TIMES FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH SECTION 192.615. MANY VIOLATIONS OF PARAGRAPH (D) WERE INCLUDED IN THESE CITATIONS. THE TYPE OF OPERATOR MOST OFTEN CITED BY MTB FOR VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 192.615 IS THE MUNICIPAL GAS OPERATOR. MTB, THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY INSTITUTE'S TWO-DAY SEMINARS HELD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLYING WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF SECTION 192.615, INCLUDING PARAGRAPH (D). ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR CONDUCTING THESE SEMINARS IS TO EDUCATE AND EXPLAIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR, PART 192, TO SMALL OPERATORS, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OPERATORS. SINCE 1976, THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 192.615 HAVE BEEN EMPHASIZED. MTB HAS, IN THE PAST, AND WILL CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE TO ALL OPERATORS, INCLUDING THE MUNICIPAL OPERATORS, OF COMPLYING WITH CFR 49, SECTION 192.615(D).

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-09-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1984-01-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence