NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-043

NTSB safety recommendation P-84-043.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOSTON GAS COMPANY: TEST FOR DEPENDABILITY THE TELEMETER FACILITIES USED TO TRANSMIT PRESSURE INFORMATION AND OTHER CRITICAL INFORMATION FROM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATING LOCATIONS TO THE COMMERCIAL POINT STATION, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE EQUIPMENT AS NECESSARY.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1984-11-27

Adopted Date: 1984-10-16

Overall Date Closed: 1988-09-22

Synopsis: ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1983, AN ALARM INDICATING THAT THE PRESSURE HAD RISEN SUBSTANTIALLY IN A LOW-PRESSURE GAS SYSTEM IN THE EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AREA WAS RECEIVED BY THE DISPATCHER AT A BOSTON GAS COMPANY CONTROL CENTER. BY 3 A.M., MANY EAST BOSTON RESIDENTS HAS BEEN AWAKENED TO THE SOUND AND SMELL OF BLOWING GAS TO SEE HIGH GAS PILOT LIGHTS AND HIGH GAS APPLIANCE FLAMES IN THEIR HOMES. THE BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY TO TELEPHONE CALLS FROM THE RESIDENTS AND BEGAN ALERTING AND EVACUATING RESIDENTS, TURNING OFF GAS AT CUSTOMER METERS, AND FIGHTING FIRES. A 1-SQUARE-MILE SECTION OF EAST BOSTON WAS AFFECTED; ONE RESTAURANT WAS DESTROYED BY THE EXPLOSION OF GAS, TWO RESIDENCES WERE DESTROYED BY GAS-FED FIRES, AND OTHER SMALL FIRES OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE GAS OVERPRESSURE. NO FATALITIES OR INJURIES RESULTED FROM THE ACCIDENT.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA83MP025

Report Number: PAR-84-05

Addressee Name: Boston Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1988-09-22

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-07-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: BOSTON GAS HAS INSPECTED ALL OF ITS TELEMETRIC EQUIPMENT USED TO TRANSMIT OPERATING INFORMATION TO INSURE THAT ALL EQUIPMENT USED FOR THIS PURPOSE WAS FUNCTIONING IN A MANNER WHICH PROVIDES DEPENDABLE AND ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING ITS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. BOSTON GAS ADDED A NUMBER OF TELEMETERED UNITS TO ALLOW FOR CONTINUED MONITORING OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATION IN THE EVENT OF A MALFUNCTION OF CERTAIN TELEMETRIC UNITS. CALIBRATIONS AND INSPECTIONS OF ALL TELEMETRIC DEVICES ARE PERFORMED ANNUALLY AND A RECORD OF THE CALIBRATION RESULTS ARE MAINTAINED.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-06-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-09-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence