NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-044

NTSB safety recommendation P-84-044.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOSTON GAS COMPANY: EMPHASIZE TO ITS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL AT THE RIVERMOOR STATION AND TO ITS GAS DISPATCH PERSONNEL AT THE COMMERCIAL POINT STATION THE NEED TO EXCHANGE ANY INFORMATION THAT MIGHT REFLECT EMERGENCY CONDITIONS WITHIN THE GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

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 INSTALLED A DEDICATED, DIRECT LINK TELEPHONE SYSTEMS BETWEEN ITS GAS DISPATCHING CENTER LOCATED AT COMMERCIAL POINT AND ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE DISPATCH CENTERS LOCATED AT RIVERMOOR STREET AND MALDEN. OPERATORS AT ALL LOCATIONS WERE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE OPERATION AND PURPOSE OF SUCH SYSTEM. IN THE FALL OF THIS YEAR, BOSTON GAS WILL COMMENCE OPERATION OF A CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH FACILITY LOCATED AT ITS RIVERMOOR STREET OPERATIONS CENTER.

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