NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-031

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-031.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: DIRECT ITS REGIONAL FIELD OFFICE PERSONNEL AND STATE AGENTS TO INCLUDE IN THEIR INSPECTION OF REGULATOR STATIONS A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER THE RELIEF VALVES ARE PROPERLY SET AND ARE OPERATIONAL AND WHETHER THE CONTROL LINES ARE PROTECTED AGAINST EXCAVATION DAMAGE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-09-08

Adopted Date: 1982-08-24

Overall Date Closed: 1984-01-30

Synopsis: ON JANUARY 28, 1982, AT CENTRALIA, MISSOURI, NATURAL GAS AT 47 PSIG ENTERED A LOW PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WHICH NORMALLY OPERATED AT 11 INCHES WATER COLUMN (0.40 PSIG) AFTER A BACKHOE BUCKET SNAGGED, RUPTURED, AND SEPARATED THE 3/4-INCH-DIAMETER STEEL PRESSURE REGULATOR CONTROL LINE AT THE MISSOURI POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY'S DISTRICT REGULATOR STATION NO. 1. THE BACKHOE, WHICH WAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE CITY OF CENTRALIA, WAS BEING USED TO CLEAN A DITCH LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR STATION. THE HIGH PRESSURE GAS ENTERING CUSTOMER PIPING SYSTEMS IN SOME CASES RESULTED IN HIGH PILOT LIGHT FLAMES WHICH INITIATED FIRES IN BUILDINGS; WHILE IN OTHER CASES, THE PILOT LIGHT FLAMES WERE BLOWN OUT, ALLOWING GAS TO ESCAPE WITHIN THE BUILDINGS. OF THE 167 BUILDINGS AFFECTED BY THE OVER PRESSURE, 12 WERE DESTROYED AND 32 SUSTAINED MODERATE TO HEAVY DAMAGES. FIVE PERSONS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA82MP010

Report Number: PAR-82-03

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: 1982-10-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RSPA MEMO: FROM: ROBERT L. PAULLIN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT, DMT-10 TO: REGION CHIEFS, STATE REPRESENTATIVES. ATTACHED IS A COPY OF NTSB'S SAFETY RECOMMENDATION NUMBER P-82-31, DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 1982 RELATIVE TO AN ACCIDENT IN CENTRALIA, MISSOURI, CAUSED BY THIRD PARTY DAMAGE. PLEASE ARRANGE TO CHECK REGULATORS, RELIEF VALVES, AND CONTROL LINES.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1984-01-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence