NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-013

NTSB safety recommendation P-84-013.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION: DISSEMINATE TO ITS MEMBER COMPANIES THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT IN CLEAR LAKE, IOWA, ON JULY 12, 1983, AND URGE THEM TO REEVALUATE THEIR PLASTIC PIPE FUSION PROCEDURES AND TO CHECK THAT THEIR RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL ARE EXPLICITLY FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1984-06-15

Adopted Date: 1984-05-17

Overall Date Closed: 1985-03-12

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: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-03-12

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1984-10-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION LETTER: MEMBERS SHOULD ASSURE THAT PLASTIC PIPE JOINING PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED IN FEDERAL REGULATIONS (PART 192 SUBPART F) AND OTHER AVAILABLE GUIDE MATERIAL, INCLUDING PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURERS, ARE FOLLOWED AS APPROPRIATE BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. UTILITY REPRESENTATIVES WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR BENDING RADII OF FUSED JOINTS AND FOR SATISFACTORY NONDESTRUCIVE QUALITY ASSURANCE INSTRUMENTS.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1985-03-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence