NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-011

NTSB safety recommendation P-84-011.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY: REVIEW WITH ITS PIPEFITTERS/OPERATORS ALL ELEMENTS OF ITS PROCEDURES FOR FUSION OF PLASTIC PIPE EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF STRICT ADHERENCE TO EACH ELEMENT OF THESE PROCEDURES TO ASSURE PROPER FUSION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1984-06-15

Adopted Date: 1984-05-17

Overall Date Closed: 1985-01-10

Synopsis: ON JULY 12, 1983, NATURAL GAS ESCAPING UNDER 60 POUNDS PRESSURE FROM A CRACK IN A BUTT FUSION JOINT IN A 2-INCH PLASTIC GAS MAIN ENTERED AN APARTMENT BUILDING IN CLEAR LAKE, IOWA, EXPLODED, AN THEN BURNED. TWO INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY EMPLOYEES WERE INJURED, ONE APARTMENT BUILDING WAS DESTROYED, AND THE ADJACENT APARTMENT BUILDING WAS DAMAGED HEAVILY. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $1 MILLION; NONE OF THE RESIDENTS WERE INJURED OR KILLED.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA83MP022

Report Number: PAR-84-02

Addressee Name: Interstate Power Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-01-10

Addressee Acronym: IPL

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1984-09-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY LETTER: ACTION TAKEN: INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY HAS REVIEWED WITH ITS PIPEFITTER/OPERATORS FUSION PROCEDURES THAT COVER ALL FACETS OF OUR OPERATIONS WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF STRICT ADHERENCE TO EACH ELEMENT OF THE PROCEDURE. WE HAVE QUALIFIED OUR PERSONNEL ANNUALLY, GENERALLY WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PIPE MANUFACTURERS AND/OR THE SUPPLIERS OF THE FUSION EQUIPMENT BEING UTILIZED, IN ADDITION TO OUR OWN SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL.

Addressee Acronym: IPL

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1985-01-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence