NTSB Safety Recommendation P-83-006

NTSB safety recommendation P-83-006.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY OF PRYOR: IMMEDIATELY ADVISE CITIZENS TO NOTIFY THE GAS COMPANY SHOULD THEY DETECT THE ODOR OF GAS IN A BUILDING AND ADVISE THEM REGARDING APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. ADDITIONALLY, CAUSE BURIED RESIDENTIAL GAS SERVICE LINES TO BE INSPECTED FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND REQUIRE THE REPLACEMENT OF LINES FOUND TO BE HAZARDOUS. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1983-02-04

Adopted Date: 1983-02-04

Overall Date Closed: 1994-09-19

Synopsis: ON FEBRUARY 1, 1983, A NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION DEMOLISHED A HOUSE, KILLED TWO PERSONS, AND INJURED THREE AT 705 S.W. FIRST STREET IN PRYOR, OKLAHOMA. NATURAL GAS, ESCAPING FROM A HOLE WITHIN AN EXTENSIVE AREA OF CORROSION AT AND JUST BELOW GROUND LEVEL, ON A 1/2-INCH BARE AND NONCATHODICALLY PROTECTED STEEL GAS LINE BENEATH THE HOUSE, FILLED THE ENCLOSED CRAWL SPACE BENEATH THE HOUSE, MIGRATED INTO THE HOUSE, AND WAS IGNITED BY ONE OF SEVERAL AVAILABLE IGNITION SOURCES. BEFORE THE EXPLOSION, THE ODOR OF GAS HAD BEEN DETECTED AROUND MIDNIGHT BY ONE OF THE RESIDENTS, BUT THE GAS COMPANY WAS NOT ADVISED. THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WAS ADVISED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A GAS LEAK, AND AROUND 9:30 A.M., HE DETECTED THE ODOR OF GAS BUT DID NOT NOTIFY THE GAS COMPANY.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA83FP010

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: State of Oklahoma, City of Pryor

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1994-09-19

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1994-09-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT THE CITY CONTINUES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS WITH NEWSPAPER & NEWSLETTER REMINDERS OF NATURAL GAS SAFETY & ITS NO-COST RESPONSE TO SUSPECTED GAS LEAKS. ADDITIONALLY, IN COOPERATION WITH THE BUILDING INSPECTOR, THE CITY REPORTS APPARENT OR POSSIBLE LEAKS &, IF NECESSARY, DISCONTINUE SERVICE TO THE FACILITY UNTIL THE REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED & INSPECTED. THE CITY ALSO USES A FLAME IONIZATION SURVEY THAT WILL HIGHLIGHT SEERELY CORRODED AREAS. BASED ON THIS INFO P-83-6 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1983-02-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: CITY OF PRYOR, OKLAHOMA, LETTER: (1) NEWSPAPER COVERAGE IN BOTH LOCAL PAPERS FOR A TOTAL EXPOSURE OF FOUR ISSUES. RADIO COVERAGE AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES IN TULSA MEDIA. TELEVISION COVERAGE IN TULSA MEDIA. THESE HAVE CAUSED CUSTOMER AWARNESS TO BE QUITE HIGH. WE WILL CONTINUE WITH CUSTOMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (2) AS A RESULT OF THIS COVERAGE, WE HAVE HAD 60-70 CUSTOMER REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN CHECKING OR LOCATING LEAKS, AND ARE RESPONDING TO THESE REQUESTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. (3) WE HAVE INSTITUTED A PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY AND ADVISE ALL CUSTOMERS OF THE NEED TO INSPECT ANY GAS PLUMBING THAT IS UNDER THE FOUNDATION OR SOIL UNDER THE HOUSE. WE FURTHER RECOMMENDED A VISUAL INSPECTION BY THE CUSTOMER OR HIS PLUMBER. WE CONTINUE OUR POLICY OF CHECKING FOR LEAKS UPON CUSTOMER REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE, 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1994-07-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS WITH NEWSPAPER & NEWSLETTER REMINDERS OF NATURAL GAS SAFETY & OF OUR NO-COST SERVICE TO RESPOND TO SUSPECTED LEAKS. IN COOPERATION WITH THE BUILDING INSPECTOR, WE REPORT APPARENT OF POSSIBLE LEAKS & IF SO REQUIRED, WE WILL DISCONTINUES SERVICE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE & THE INSPECTOR APPROVES THE INSTALLATION.

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1983-05-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence