Guidanceguidance
P-81-033
NTSB Safety Recommendation P-81-033
Current as of 1981-08-26 Government source
RegulusPipeline researchRegulusPipeline researchP-81-033
NTSB safety recommendation P-81-033.
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY WATSON RENFINERY: ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE TO REQUIRE ITS SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL TO CHECK CLOSELY VALVE LINEUPS IN ITS REFINERY PIPING SO THAT SIMILAR ACCIDENTS ARE PREVENTED.
Priority: CLASS II
Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action
Issued Date: 1981-08-26
Adopted Date: 1981-08-18
Overall Date Closed: 1982-09-15
Synopsis: ON DECEMBER 1, 1980, A PIPELINE TRANSPORTING NAPHTHA RUPTURED UNDER THE ROAD AT THE INTERSECTION OF 28TH STREET AND GALE AVENUE IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA. ESCAPING PRODUCT UNDER HIGH PRESSURE BLEW A HOLE THROUGH THE PAVEMENT AND SPRAYED INTO THE AIR UP TO 20 FEET AND THEN FLOWED INTO THE GUTTERS. MOMENTS LATER, THE PRODUCT IGNITED BY AN UNDETERMINED SOURCE. THE ENSUING FLAMES REACHED A HEIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 70 FEET. AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, 5 PERSONS WERE INJURED, 1 HOUSE WAS DESTROYED, 11 HOUSES SUSTAINED MODERATE TO SEVERE DAMAGE, AND 11 MOTOR VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED.
Probable Cause: None
Ntsbnumber: DCA81MP002
Report Number: PAR-81-04
Addressee Name: ARCO (Atlantic Richfield Company)
Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action
Addressee Date Closed: 1982-09-15
Addressee Acronym: ARCO
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1981-10-15
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
Communication Contents: ARCO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS CO. LTR: OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS QUALIFY OUR EMPLOYEES FOR THE DUTIES WHICH THEY PERFORM. OUR OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED AROUND QUALIFIED OPERATING CREWS AND THEREFORE IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO HAVE SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL CHECK ALL VALVE LINEUPS IN THE REFINERY PIPING. WE WILL, HOWEVER, ACCOMMODATE YOUR RECOMMENDATION TO THE EXTENT OF EMPHASIZING TO SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING CLOSELY VALVE LINEUPS WHEN NEW OR INFREQUENT MOVEMENTS ARE MADE THROUGH OUR REFINERY PIPING.
Addressee Acronym: ARCO
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1982-09-15
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
Addressee Acronym: ARCO
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1982-10-12
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
This material provides agency context. It does not replace binding regulatory text, and its legal effect depends on the underlying authority and facts.