NTSB Safety Recommendation P-86-003

NTSB safety recommendation P-86-003.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION: WHEN RECONSTRUCTING THE CONTROL ROOM AND BOILER ROOM BUILDING AT ITS PINSON, ALABAMA, NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION PLANT, PROVIDE A MINIMUM SEPARATION OF 50 FEET BETWEEN THE BUILDING, WHICH MAY CONTAIN NUMEROUS IGNITION SOURCES AND EQUIPMENT CONTAINING FLAMMABLE GASES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1986-04-17

Adopted Date: 1986-03-22

Overall Date Closed: 1986-09-22

Synopsis: ABOUT 10:50 A.M., ON AUGUST 22, 1985, LIQUID METHANE WAS BEING DRAINED FROM THE COLD BOX INTO A VERTICAL ALUMINUM TANK 3 FEET IN DIAMETER AND 7 FEET TALL (VESSEL 17.23A) AT THE ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION'S (ALAGASCO) NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION PLANT IN PINSON, ALABAMA. THERE WAS NO PRESSURE GAUGE ON THE TANK. SHORTLY AFTER THE LIQUID METHANE BEGAN ENTERING VESSEL 17.23A, THE WELD ATTACHING AN 8 1/4-INCH BY 12-INCH ALUMINUM PLATE THAT WAS BEING USED TO COVER A HOLE THAT HAD BEEN CUT IN THE SIDE AT THE BOTTOM OF VESSEL 17.23A FAILED. THE PRESSURE WITHIN THE TANK PROPELLED THE PLATE 24 FEET AWAY INTO A BUILDING WHICH HOUSED A CONTROL ROOM, A BOILER ROOM, AND OFFICES. SOME OF THE WINDOWS IN THE CONTROL ROOM WERE BLOWN INWARD, AND METHANE ESCAPING FROM THE OPENING IN VESSEL 17.23A ENTERED THE BUILDING, WHERE IT WAS IGNITED BY ONE OF SEVERAL AVAILABLE IGNITION SOURCES. SIX PERSONS WERE INJURED, AND DAMAGE TO THE PLANT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN $1 MILLION.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA85FP018

Report Number: PAR-86-01-SUM

Addressee Name: Alabama Natural Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1986-09-22

Addressee Acronym: Alagasco

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1986-06-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE RECONSTRUCTED CONTROL BUILDING, OFFICES, SHOP AND OTHER OCCUPIED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED IN EXCESS OF 50 FEET FROM THE NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION PLANT.

Addressee Acronym: Alagasco

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1986-09-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: Alagasco

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1987-01-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence