NTSB Safety Recommendation P-81-010

NTSB safety recommendation P-81-010.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: DURING ROUTINE ANNUAL INSPECTION ACTIVITIES, VERIFY GAS COMPANY COMPLIANCE WITH 49 CFR 192.615(A)(6), AND ENFORCE THIS REGULATION WHERE IT IS NEEDED.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1981-05-13

Adopted Date: 1981-04-28

Overall Date Closed: 1984-01-30

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 9, 1980, A 2-INCH-DIAMETER COMPRESSION COUPLING LOCATED ON THE UPSTREAM SIDE OF A GAS METER SET ASSEMBLY IN THE BOILERROOM OF THE SIMON KENTON HIGH SCHOOL IN INDEPENDENCE, KENTUCKY, PULLED OUT OF ITS CONNECTION WITH A 2-INCH-DIAMETER GAS SERVICE LINE. NATURAL GAS AT 165-PSIG PRESSURE ESCAPED THROUGH THE 2-INCH-DIAMETER OPENING AND, SECONDS LATER, EXPLODED AND BURNED. A BASEMENT WALL WAS BLOWN DOWN, AN ADJACENT CLASSROOM WAS DAMAGED, AND ONE STUDENT WAS KILLED. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER, A SECOND EXPLOSION OCCURED, WHICH INJURED 37 PERSONS AND EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED THE SHCOOL. THE GAS SERVICE LINE WAS CONNECTED TO A 4-INCH-DIAMETER GAS MAIN OWNED BY THE UNION LIGHT, HEAT AND POWER COMPANY (GAS COMPANY), WHICH WAS UPRATING THE GAS MAIN BY CONTROLLED PRESSURE INCREASES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Ntsbnumber: DCA81AP001

Report Number: PAR-81-01

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: 1984-01-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence