NTSB Safety Recommendation P-85-022

NTSB safety recommendation P-85-022.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE PLASTIC PIPE INSTITUTE: IN COOPERATION WITH THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION AND OTHERS, DETERMINE WHAT MATERIALS PRESENT IN NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT ABS PLASTIC PIPE AND WHAT, IF ANY REMEDIAL ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN. PUBLISH AND DISTRIBUTE THIS INFORMATION TO GAS OPERATORS NATIONWIDE.

Priority: CLASS III

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1985-07-01

Adopted Date: 1985-06-12

Overall Date Closed: 1989-05-19

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: Plastics Pipe Institute

Addressee Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1989-05-19

Addressee Acronym: PPI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1988-10-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: PPI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1989-05-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence