NTSB Safety Recommendation P-91-006

NTSB safety recommendation P-91-006.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE TEXAS EASTERN PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY: DEVELOP EXPLICIT PROCEDURES ON THE PHYSICAL MOVEMENT OF PIPELINES CONTAINING HIGHLY VOLATILE LIQUIDS TO REQUIRE THAT, BEFORE MOVEMENT, ANALYSES BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE: O THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PIPE MAY BE SAFELY MOVED, O THE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES REQUIRED FOR THE SAFE MOVEMENT OF THE PIPE, AND O THE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN FOR PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC. REQUIRE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES BE BRIEFED ON THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE WORK IS BEGUN.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1991-07-17

Adopted Date: 1991-06-11

Overall Date Closed: 2002-04-03

Synopsis: ON MARCH 13, 1990, THE TEXAS EASTERN PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY (TEPPCO) LINE P-41, AN 8-INCH-DIAMETE LIQUID PROPANE PIPELINE, RUPTURED WITHIN A PIPELINE CASING BENEATH COUNTY ROAD 43 (CR 43) NEAR THE VILLAGE OF NORTH BLENHEIM, NEW YORK. LIQUID PROPANE GAS ESCAPED FROM THE ENDS OF THE CASING, VAPORIZED, & FORMED A WHITE, HEAVIER-THAN-AIR GAS CLOUD. THE GAS CLOUD FLOWED DOWNHILL ALONG CR 43 UNTIL IT ENTERED NORTH BLENHEIM & IGNITED. THE FIRE QUICKLY CONSUMED THE PROPANE VAPOR & FLASHED BACK TO THE PIPELINE RUPTURE, TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED, SEVEN PERSONS INJURED AND MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN PROPERTY DAMAGE & OTHER COSTS RESULTED.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA90MP006

Report Number: PAR-91-01

Addressee Name: Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2002-04-03

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2002-04-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board is pleased to learn that TEPPCO developed and published an engineering standard practice (SP-PL-02) Moving In-Service Pipelines, with explicit procedures on the physical movement of pipelines containing highly volatile liquids. The Board notes that Section 3.0, "Engineering and Design of the Standard Practice," addresses the extent to which the pipe may be safely moved and Section 4.0, "Moving the Pipeline," addresses procedures required for the safe movement of the pipeline and procedures to be taken once the move has been accomplished. Actions to be taken for the protection of the public are addressed in Section 1.0 and as part of the procedures found in Section 3.0. These procedures satisfy the Board's recommendation. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-91-6 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1992-06-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING MORE DEFINITIVE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TEPPCO IS COMPLYING WITH SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON THE FORMAL "ACTION-FORCING" REQUIREMENTS MENTIONED.

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-09-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: To date, the Safety Board has not received any further response from TEPPCO addressing any of these recommendations. The Board would appreciate being informed about the efforts that have been made or are being made to implement Safety Recommendations P-91-5 through -10. Enclosed are copies of all correspondence concerning these safety recommendations. Please address your response to Ms. Marion C. Blakey, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board and refer to the recommendations by number in your response.

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2002-01-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 01/24/2002 12:06:04 PM MC# 2020082 TEPPCO developed and published an Engineering Standard Practice (SP-PL-02) MOVING IN-SERVICE PIPELINES with explicit procedures on the physical movement of pipelines containing highly volatile liquids. Section 3.0 Engineering and Design of the Standard Practice addresses the extent to which the pipe may be safely moved in Appendix A - Nomenclature, Appendix B - Equations and Appendix C - Application of Minimum Trench Length, all incorporated by reference. Section 4.0 Moving the Pipeline of the Standard Practice addresses procedures required for the safe movement of the pipeline and procedures to be taken once the move has been accomplished. Actions to be taken for the protection of the public are addressed in Section 1.0 Forward and as part of the procedures found in Section 3.0 Engineering and Design.

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1991-10-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: TEPPCO STATES THAT IT ALREADY COMPLIES SUBSTANTIALLY WITH THEM. TEPPCO ALSO STATES THAT IT IS IMPOSING MORE FORMAL "ACTION-FORCING" REQUIREMENTS ON SUPERVISIORS AND EMPLOYEES AS AN EXTRA PRECAUTION.