NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-045

NTSB safety recommendation P-84-045.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOSTON GAS COMPANY: WHEN PERFORMING ANNUAL INSPECTIONS ON DISTRICT REGULATORS, TEST EQUIPMENT WITH ALL NECESSARY APPURTENANCES FOR NORMAL OPERATION IN PLACE.

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: AS PREVIOUSLY RESPONDED BY BOSTON GAS TO THE BOARD'S SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P- 84-8, BOSTON GAS HAS REVISED ITS INSPECTION STANDARD AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE TO PROVIDE FOR A SPECIFIC CHECK, EVERY 6 MONTHS, FOR SMOOTH OPERATION THROUGH THE FULL STROKE OF THE VALVE SO THAT TIGHT LOCK-UP CAN BE ACHIEVED AT THE SET PRESSURE WITH THE APPROPRIATE SECURED WEIGHTS IN PLACE.

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