NTSB Safety Recommendation P-85-015

NTSB safety recommendation P-85-015.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION, AS SUCCESSOR TO THE ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY: REVIEW WITH ITS DISPATCHERS AND OPERATING PERSONNEL WHO ROUTINELY HANDLE LEAK INCIDENTS, THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH PHOENIX FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF COORDINATING AND COOPERATING WITH FIREFIGHTERS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1985-07-01

Adopted Date: 1985-06-12

Overall Date Closed: 1989-05-12

Synopsis: AT 3:30 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1984, AN EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY AN INTENSE NATURAL GASFED FIRE DESTROYED TWO APARTMENTS AT 3022 NORTH 37TH STREET IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA. OF THE 12 PERSONS INJURED IN THE FIRE, 5 PERSONS LATER DIED. AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE 1 1/4-INCH-DIAMETER PLASTIC GAS MAIN SUPPLYING GAS TO THE DESTROYED APARTMENTS WAS EXCAVATED AND A 3-INCH-LONG LONGITUDINAL SPLIT WAS DISCOVERED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PIPE 18 FEET FROM THE GAS METERS ON THE APARTMENT BUILDING. GAS AT 30 PSIG HAD ESCAPED THROUGH THE LONGITUDINAL SPLIT, MIGRATED INTO AND UNDER THE APARTMENTS, IGNITED, EXPLODED, AND BURNED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA84AP026

Report Number: PAR-85-01

Addressee Name: Southwest Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1989-05-12

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-01-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE MEMO OF AGREEMENT WAS REVIEWED AND REWRITTEN IN 1984 AND THE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING, COOPERATION PLUS A DEDICATED EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND AND HELP EACH OTHER BEGAN. AS OF THIS DATE WE HAVE LITTLE OR NO PROBLEMS ON EMERGENCY LOCATIONS. WE ARE NOW A REGULAR PART OF THE PHOENIX ROOKIE FIRE SCHOOL WHEN WE TEACH LEAK DETECTION ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY EMERGENCY METHODS OF HANDLING A LEAK SITUATION OR GAS FIRE.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-05-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-10-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence