NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-014

NTSB safety recommendation P-84-014.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION: URGE ITS MEMBER COMPANIES TO REEMPHASIZE TO THEIR RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL THE IMPORTANCE OF RAPIDLY SHUTTING DOWN FAILED GAS FACILITIES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EVACUATING RESIDENTS, VENTILATING BUILDINGS, AND ELIMINATING SOURCES OF IGNITION.

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: AGA GENERALLY SUPPORTS THE RECOMMENDED ACTION, BUT IT IS TOO PRESCRIPTIVE FOR ALL CASES. MEMBER COMPANIES SHOULD REVIEW THEIR RAPID SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES FOR ADEQUACY AND ALSO ENSURE THAT PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH SHUTDOWNS AND ASSOCIATED EMERGENCY ACTIONS ARE PROPERLY TRAINED.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1985-03-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence