NTSB Safety Recommendation P-89-003

NTSB safety recommendation P-89-003.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT KPL GAS SERVICE: IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM FOR THE EARLY REPLACEMENT OF OR FOR THE APPLICATION OF CORROSION PROTECTION TO UNCOATED, UNPROTECTED STEEL CUSTOMER-OWNED SERVICE LINES BASED ON ANALYSIS OF FAILURE TRENDS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1989-03-30

Adopted Date: 1989-03-30

Overall Date Closed: 1990-04-02

Synopsis: THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING FOUR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE KPL GAS SERVICE COMPANY (KPL). (1) A SEPTEMBER 16, 1988, NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION IN OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS, INVOLVING GAS LEAKING FROM CORROSION HOLES IN THE CUSTOMER-OWNED SERVICE LINE. GAS MIGRATED UNDERGROUND TO THE HOUSE AND WAS IGNITED. THE HOUSE WAS DESTROYED AND THE FOUR RESIDENTS WERE INJURED. (2) A NOVEMBER 25, 1988, NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, INVOLVING A BREAK IN A CUSTOMER-OWNED SERVICE LINE AT A THREADED JOINT THAT WAS AFFECTED BY CORROSION. ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND FIVE PERSONS INJURED IN THE EXPLOSION THAT SEVERELY DAMAGED THE RESIDENCE. (3) A DECEMBER 5, 1988, NATURAL GAS FIRE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, INVOLVING A CRACKED, 6-INCH CAST-IRON GAS MAIN THAT WAS AFFECTED BY GRAPHITIC CORROSION. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED AND TWO VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED AFTER THE ESCAPING NATURAL GAS IGNITED IN A DRIVEWAY. (4) A FEBRUARY 10, 1989, NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN OAK GROVE, MISSOURI, INVOLVING THE FAILURE OF A CUSTOMER-OWNED SERVICE LINE AT A THREADED JOINT. TWO PERSONS WERE KILLED AND THEIR HOUSE WAS DESTROYED IN THE EXPLOSION.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA88FP016

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: KPL Gas Service Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1990-04-02

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-11-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: KPL HAS ADOPTED A PROGRAM TO REPLACE ALL UNCOATED, UNPROTECTED STEEL SERVICE LINES.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-10-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The National Transportation Safety Board is reviewing its safety recommendation files to identify those recommendations on which there has been no correspondence for an extended time. On March 30, 1989, the Safety Board issued Safety Recommendations P-89-l through -4 to the KPL Gas Service Company W-1 concerning four accidents involving high pressure distribution facilities operated by KPL. The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent Federal agency with the statutory responsibility "...to promote transportation safety by conducting independent accident investigations and by formulating safety improvement recommendations" (Public Law 93-633). We would appreciate being informed as to what efforts were made or are being made to implement these recommendations. The Safety Board's letter transmitting these recommendations is enclosed for your information.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1990-04-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Safety Recommendation P-89-3 pertains to replacement of or the application of corrosion protection to uncoated, unprotected steel customer-owned service lines. Because KPL has adopted a program to replace all uncoated, unprotected steel service lines, regardless of ownership, we have classified this safety recommendation as "Closed--Acceptable Action."