NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-017

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-017.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: AMEND THE PROVISIONS OF 49 CFR 192 THAT ALLOW ALTERNATIVES TO THE USE OF ELECTRIC SURVEYS FOR IDENTIFYING AREAS OF ACTIVE CORROSION TO REQUIRE THAT ANY ALTERNATIVE MUST PROVIDE DATA EQUIVALENT, BOTH IN TIMELINESS AND QUALITY, TO THAT OBTAINED USING ELECTRICAL SURVEYS.

Priority: CLASS III

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1990-04-20

Adopted Date: 1990-03-27

Overall Date Closed: 1994-03-07

Synopsis: IN A 7-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 16, 1988, THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATED 5 NATURAL GAS ACCIDENTS IN THE KANSAS CITY-TOPEKA AREA THAT INVOLVED THE GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS OWNED BY KANSAS POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY (KPL). CORROSION DAMAGE WAS INVOLVED ON EACH OF THE 3 GAS SERVICE LINES AND THE 2 CAST IRON GAS MAINS. EACH OF THE GAS LINES INVOLVED WERE INSTALLED BEFORE THE FEDERAL MINIMUM GAS PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATIONS BECAME EFFECTIVE AND THE FAILURES ON THE GAS SERVICE LINES INVOLVED CUSTOMER-OWNED PIPE THAT HAD NOT BEEN PROTECTED AGAINST CORROSION DAMAGE. THESE ACCIDENTS KILLED 4 PEOPLE, INJURED 12 OTHERS AND DESTROYED 4 HOUSES.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA89MP014

Report Number: PAR-90-03

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1994-03-07

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1994-03-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD HAS DETERMINED THAT THE OCTOBER 22, 1993, FINAL RULE ON LEAKAGE SURVEYS OF DISTRIBUTION LINES LOCATED OUTSIDE BUSINESS DISTRICTS FULFILL THE INTENT OF THESE TWO SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS. CONSEQUENTLY, RECOMMENDATION P-90-17 AND -18 HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1993-10-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: ON OCTOBER 22, 1993, THE RSPA ISSUED A FINAL RULE REQUIRING OPERATORS OF DISTRIBUTION LINES LOCATED OUTSIDE BUSINESS DISTRICTS TO USE LEAK DETECTORS TO CARRY OUT REQUIRED LEAKAGE SURVEYS. ALSO CHANGING THE TIME PERIOD FROM 5 TO 3 YEARS FOR LEAK SURVEY DATA WHEN REPLACING ELECTRIC SURVEYS FOR CORROSION IDENTIFICATION.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-09-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE REGULATIONS IN SECTIONS 192.465 (E) AND 192.457 (B) THAT ALLOW ALTERNATIVES TO THE USE OF ELECTRICAL SURVEYS FOR IDENTIFYING AREAS OF ACTIVE CORROSION ARE PERMITTED ONLY WHERE AN ELECTRICAL SURVEY IS IMPRACTICAL. IN THOSE SITUATIONS, THE REGULATIONS PERMIT AN OPERATOR TO DETERMINE AREAS OF ACTIVE CORROSION BY THE STUDY OF CORROSION AND LEAK HISTORY IS THEN ANALYZED STATISTICALLY BY PLOTTING SURVEY OF THE LEAKS. WHILE THESE ALTERNATIVES MAY NOT PROVIDE EQUIVALENT DATA TO AN ELECTRICAL SURVEY, THE REGULATIONS ALLOW SUCH ALTERNATIVES BECAUSE, AS SET FORTH IN THE REGULA TIONS, IT IS IMPRACTICAL IN CERTAIN AREAS TO USE ELECTRICAL SURVEYS. THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVES THAT PROVIDE EQUIVALENT DATA TO AN ELECTRICAL SURVEY, SO WE CANNOT AMEND OUR REGULATIONS TO COMPLY WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. ACCORDINGLY, WE BELIEVE THAT REC. P-90-17 SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS "CLOSED --RECONSIDERED."

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1991-05-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-09-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence