NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-073

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-073.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY OF CORDELE GAS DEPARTMENT: IMMEDIATELY INITIATE A PROGRAM, AS REQUIRED BY 49 CFR 192.615(D), TO ENABLE ITS CUSTOMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO RECOGNIZE THE ODOR OF NATURAL GAS AND KNOW THE PROPER ACTION TO TAKE WHEN IT IS DETECTED. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1980-10-02

Adopted Date: 1980-09-09

Overall Date Closed: 1983-01-04

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: State of Georgia, City of Cordele

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-01-04

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1982-10-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: CITY MANAGER OF CORDELE, GEORGIA, LETTER: FOR YOUR RECORDS, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OUTLINED IN YOUR LETTERS OF JUNE 4, 1980, AND OCTOBER 5, 1982, HAVE BEEN REITERATED TO OUR PERSONNEL AND ALSO SUCH ITEMS AS CUSTOMER PROGRAMS FOR NATURAL GAS ODOR RECOGNITION ARE IN EFFECT; A SAMPLE OF BROCHURE WHICH WE MAIL OUT TO OUR CUSTOMERS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH GAS SEASON IS ATTACHED. AS TO OUR ODORIZATION EQUIPMENT, A NEW UNIT HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND PROPERLY CALIBRATED AND IS NOW IN OPERATION. YOU MAY BE SURE THAT IT IS OUR INTENT TO CONTINUE PROPER SURVEILLANCE AND WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE VISITS MADE TO US BY YOUR LOCAL OFFICE TO REASSESS OUR OPERATIONS WHENEVER THEY DEEM IT NECESSARY.

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1982-10-05

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1983-01-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence