NTSB Safety Recommendation P-84-046

NTSB safety recommendation P-84-046.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA: EXPOSE AND INSPECT A REPRESENTATIVE QUANTITY OF WELDS IN THE 12-INCH STEEL DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE INSTALLED IN 1954 IN YORK, PENNSYLVAINA, AND, IF INDICATED, INSTITUTE A PROGRAM TO REPLACE OR REPAIR WELDS WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS CONTAINED IN TITLE 49, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, PART 192.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1984-11-27

Adopted Date: 1984-11-10

Overall Date Closed: 1985-05-03

Synopsis: ON JANUARY 19, 1984, NATURAL GAS AT 20 PSIG LEAKED FROM COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA'S (COLUMBIA) 12-INCH STEEL DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN 1954 ALONG WEST KING STREET, IN YORK, PENNSYLVANIA. GAS ESCAPING FROM A CRACKED CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD MIGRATED UNDERGROUND AND ENTERED THE BASEMENT OF A THREE-STORY BUILDING AT 31-33 WEST KING STREET WHERE IT WAS IGNITED BY AN UNDETERMINED SOURCE. THE RESULTING EXPLOSION AND FIRE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE BUILDING AND AN ADJACENT VACANT BUILDING, INJURED EIGHT PERSONS LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE THREE-STORY BUILDING, AND BROKE WINDOWS IN BUILDINGS NEARBY.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA84FP015

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-05-03

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1985-01-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: COLUMBIA GAS DISTRIBUTION LTR: BASED ON AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION OF THE SUBJECT 12" GAS MAIN, THE ENTIRE 1,200' OF THIS FACILITY WAS PERMANENTLY REMOVED FROM SERVICE. CUSTOMERS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED BY THIS 12" MAIN WERE RECONNECTED TO AN ADJACENT 6" MAIN.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1985-05-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence