Guidanceguidance
P-84-039
NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-039
Current as of 1984-09-17 Government source
RegulusPipeline researchRegulusPipeline researchP-84-039
NTSB safety recommendation P-84-039.
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT COLUMBIA GAS OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC., AND THE MOUNTAINEER GAS COMPANY: EMPHASIZE TO ITS AREA PLANT SUPERVISORS THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THE LOCATION AND THE AVAILABILITY OF AT LEAST THE CRITICAL VALVES WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION.
Priority: CLASS II
Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Issued Date: 1984-09-17
Adopted Date: 1984-09-17
Overall Date Closed: 1989-03-21
Synopsis: AT 11:15 A.M. E.D.T., ON OCTOBER 17, 1983, WHILE EXCAVATING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A LARGE DIAMETER, CONCRETE, STORM DRAIN PIPE, A BACKHOE OPERATOR SNAGGED AND PUNCTURED A 3-INCH STEEL GAS LINE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF STATE ROUTE 214, THEREBY FRACTURING A 3-INCH CAST IRON VALVE CONNECTING THE 3-INCH GAS LINE TO THE 4-INCH GAS LINE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF STATE ROUTE 214 IN SOUTH CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA. GAS AT 45 PSIG BEGAN TO ESCAPE FROM BOTH BREAKS AND, WHILE IT SEEMED TO BE VENTING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, IT WAS ALSO MIGRATING BELOW GROUND. THE CONTRACTOR IMMEDIATELY NOTI FIED COLUMBIA GAS OF WEST VIRGINIA INC., AND GAS COMPANY PERSONNEL WERE DISPATCHED TO THE SITE TO RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY. AT 1:52 P.M., THE FOODLAND SUPERMARKET, LOCATED 35 FEET FROM THE FRACTURED VALVE, EXPLODED, AND THEN BURNED. EIGHTEEN PERSONS WHO WERE INSIDE THE STORE AND 1 GAS COMPANY EMPLOYEE WHO WAS OUTSIDE THE BUILDING WERE INJURED; THE SUPERMARKET AND AN ADJACENT COMMERCIAL BUILDING WERE DESTROYED.
Probable Cause: None
Ntsbnumber: DCA84MP002
Report Number: PAR-84-04
Addressee Name: Mountaineer Gas Company
Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Addressee Date Closed: 1989-01-12
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1989-01-12
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
Communication Contents: ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE IMPLEMENTED PRIOR TO THE END OF 1985. ENCLOSED ARE EXCERPTS FROM MOUNTAINEER'S PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL WHICH MAKE REFERENCE TO THE SAFETY BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING DENOTING INACCESSIBLE GATE VALVES ON MAPS WAS THE LAST ONE COMPLETED DUE TO THE TIME INVOLVED REVIEWING EACH OPERATING MAP AND ASSOCIATED RECORDS. THE SAFETY BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING MISSING PIPELINE MARKERS WAS ALSO COMPLETED DURING 1985. PIPELINE MARKERS ARE CONTINUALLY BEING REPLACED AS THEY ARE REPORTED MISSING.
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1989-03-21
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1988-10-21
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
Addressee Name: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)
Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Addressee Date Closed: 1986-06-25
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1986-06-25
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
Communication Contents: IT IS NOW REQUIRED THAT PLANT SUPERVISORS HAVE READY ACCESS TO "VALVE LOCATION RECORD SETS" FOR THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY. "READY ACCESS" INCLUDES MAINTAINING A CURRENT SET IN THEIR VEHICLE. THE COPY OF PROCEDURE 652-1 REFERENCE ABOVE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DETAIL REGARDING THIS REQUIREMENT.
Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry
Communication Date: 1987-02-02
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
This material provides agency context. It does not replace binding regulatory text, and its legal effect depends on the underlying authority and facts.