NTSB Safety Recommendation P-88-008

NTSB safety recommendation P-88-008.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS COMPANY: DEVELOP AND COORDINATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS PLANS WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES THAT IDENTIFY THE CAPABILITIES TO THE GAS COMPANY TO ASSIST IN AN INCIDENT THAT INVOLVES NATURAL GAS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1988-11-21

Adopted Date: 1988-10-25

Overall Date Closed: 2001-01-12

Synopsis: ON JANUARY 18, 1988, A NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION DESTROYED THE BUILDING HOUSING THE K&W CAFETERIA AND THE LOBBY OF THE SHERATON MOTOR INN AT 380 KNOLLWOOD STREET, WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA. TWO ADJOINING MOTEL WINGS SUFFERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. OF THE FOUR PERSONS IN THE LOBBY/ CAFETERIA BUILDING AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION, THREE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE FOURTH PERSON SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ANKLE. ONE MOTEL GUEST ALSO SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS BUT REFUSED TREATMENT.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA88MP008

Report Number: PAR-88-01

Addressee Name: Piedmont Natural Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-01-12

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-04-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: PIEDMONT HAS DEDICATED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME, EFFORT AND FUNDS TO TRAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL ON HOW TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES IN WHICH NATURAL GAS IS INVOLVED. PIEDMONT BELIEVES THAT THIS TRAINING MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR 192.615; NEVERTHELESS, PIEDMONT WILL REVIEW ITS PROCEDURES AND, IF APPROPRIATE, DEVELOP A WRITTEN RECOMMENDED PLAN FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE BY OUTSIDE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL. OF COURSE, PIEDMONT CANNOT BE ASSURED THAT THE PLAN WILL BE ADHERED TO BY EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WHO ARE NOT EMPLOYED BY PIEDMONT.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2000-06-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: TO DATE THE SAFETY BOARD HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER REPLY FROM PIEDMONT REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF P-88-8 OR -9. THE SAFETY BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE LEARNING OF ANY ACTIONS TO COMPLY WITH P-88-8 AND -9 THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OR ARE PLANNED BY THE PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS COMPANY. THE SAFETY BOARD LOOKS FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-01-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: BECAUSE THE SAFETY BOARD HAS RECEIVED NO FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS COMPANY, P-88-8 AND -9 ARE NOW CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--UNACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-03-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-07-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence