NTSB Safety Recommendation P-85-016

NTSB safety recommendation P-85-016.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE PHOENIX FIRE DEPARTMENT: REVIEW WITH ITS FIREFIGHTERS AND HAZARDOUS INCIDENTS RESPONSE TEAM MEMBERS THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, AND EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING GAS COMPANY PERSONNEL ACCESS TO GAS LEAK SITES SO THAT THEY CAN DETERMINE THE AREAS OF GAS HAZARD, LOCATE THE SOURCES OF LEAKING GAS, AND AS REQUIRED, SHUT OFF THE FLOW OF GAS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Issued Date: 1985-07-01

Adopted Date: 1985-06-12

Overall Date Closed: 1990-01-09

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 FORM 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: State of Arizona, City of Phoenix, Fire Department

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1990-01-09

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1988-10-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1989-05-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1990-01-09

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1989-09-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence