NTSB Safety Recommendation P-83-021

NTSB safety recommendation P-83-021.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY: IMMEDIATELY INSTRUCT ITS EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL, IN THE GAS COMPANY'S PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES, EMPHASIZING THE REQUIREMENT FOR RAPID EVACUATION OF THE PUBLIC FROM AREAS EXPOSED TO POTENTIAL DANGER FROM LEAKING GAS, FOR PROMPT SHUTOFF OF GAS TO FAILED FACILITIES, AND FOR PROMPT ANALYSIS OF LEAK SEVERITY. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1983-07-20

Adopted Date: 1983-07-19

Overall Date Closed: 1984-01-06

Synopsis: ON JULY 12, 1983, AN EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY AN INTENSE FIRE DESTROYED A 10-APARTMENT BUILDING AT 2351B SOUTH LAKEVIEW DRIVE AND EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED A 10-APARTMENT BUILDING AT 2351A SOUTH LAKEVIEW DRIVE IN CLEAR LAKE, IOWA. TWO INTER STATE POWER COMPANY (GAS COMPANY) EMPLOYEES RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1 MILLION. NONE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDINGS WAS INJURED, EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE WERE IN BUILDING 2351B AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION.

Probable Cause: None

Keywords: Hazmat

Ntsbnumber: DCA83MP022

Report Number: PAR-84-02

Addressee Name: Interstate Power Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1984-01-06

Addressee Acronym: IPL

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-08-05

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY LETTER: WE HAVE INITIATED PLANS FOR A SERIES OF MEETINGS IN EACH DISTRICT SERVING GAS TO CUSTOMERS TO AGAIN REVIEW AND UPDATE ALL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN RESPONSE TO ANY LEAK OR EMERGENCY SITUATION INVOLVING NATURAL GAS ON OUR SYSTEM. WE ARE EMPHASIZING IN THE FIRST MEETING THE DIRECT ACTION REQUIRED IN RESPONSE TO THE EMERGENCY CALLS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC AND PROPERTY AND FOLOWING UP WITH A CONTINUED REVIEW OF ALL PHASES OF OUR INSPECTION AND OPERATION MANUALS AS WELL AS OUR EMERGENCY PLAN FOR COVERAGE OF SITUATIONS DURING LOSS OF GAS TO A TOWN. ALL OF THESE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS AND WE INTEND TO HAVE PERSONNEL FROM THE GENERAL OFFICE IN ATTENDANCE AT AS MANY MEETINGS AS POSSIBLE TO ASSURE OURSELVES THAT FULL COVERAGE OF OUR REQUIRED SUBJECT IS ACCOMPLISHED.

Addressee Acronym: IPL

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-10-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY LETTER: THIS IS A FOLLOW UP OF OUR AUGUST 5, 1983 LETTER TO REPORT ON THE MEETINGS HELD IN EACH OF THE THREE DISTRICTS (ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA; MASON CITY AND CLINTON, IOWA) IN WHICH WE HAVE GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS. THESE MEETINGS INCLUDED ALL PERSONNEL, FROM THE TELEPHONE OPERATORS AND SERVICE CLERKS TO THE GAS OPERATING AND CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL, WHO WOULD BECOME INVOLVED, TO ANY DEGREE, WITH ANY LEAK OR EMERGENCY SITUATION. AT ALL MEETINGS THE DISTRICT SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL CONDUCTED THE MEETINGS WITH HELP FROM OPERATING PERSONNEL FOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND IN ALL CASES THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT WAS IN ATTENDANCE. PERSONNEL FROM OUR GENERAL OFFICE ALSO ATTENDED THE MEETINGS TO OBSERVE AND BE ASSURED THAT ALL SUBJECTS WERE FULLY COVERED. THE MEETINGS COVERED ALL PHASES OF LEAK RESPONSE, DANGERS OF LEAKING GAS, PROMPT SHUTOFF OF GAS SUPPLY AND RAPID EVACUATION OF THE PUBLIC. REVIEW OF EMERGENCY PLANS, EQUIPMENT USAGE, SERVICE CALL RESPONSE, RECORDS, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION PLANS, AND ALL PHASES OF NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS WERE COVERED. EACH MEETING WAS HELD OVER A PERIOD OF TWO TO THREE DAYS WITH ENOUGH SESSIONS TO COVER ALL OF THE 108 PERSONNEL ATTENDING.

Addressee Acronym: IPL

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-09-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: IPL

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1984-01-06

Communication Type: Official Correspondence