NTSB Safety Recommendation P-88-009

NTSB safety recommendation P-88-009.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS COMPANY: REVISE EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS TO INCLUDE FEDERAL NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR INCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE RELEASES OF NATURAL GAS AND THAT MEET U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CRITERIA.

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'S PLANS FOR EMERGENCY ACTION INCLUDE THE SPECIFIED NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES. SUCH NOTICE WAS NOT GIVEN INITIALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE EXPLOSION IN QUESTION BECAUSE IT WAS INITIALLY DETERMINED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND BY ENGINEERING EXPERTS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION WAS A BOILER EXPLOSION.

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