NTSB Safety Recommendation P-91-009

NTSB safety recommendation P-91-009.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE TEXAS EASTERN PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY: EXTEND YOUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS LIAISON PROGRAM TO INCLUDE ALL COMMUNITY RESPONSE AGENCIES ADJACENT TO YOUR PIPELINES.

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 has expanded its liaison program as requested. This expansion includes those communities that are adjacent to the pipeline and remotely located agencies that may be called upon for equipment and/or other resources. The Board notes that program meetings will allow parties to share information and review mutual response activities. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-91-9 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 has expanded its liaison program including all community response agencies expected to respond to an emergency situation. This expansion effort included those communities which are adjacent to the pipeline and remotely located agencies that may be called upon for equipment and/or other resources. These program meetings are designed to perform as a vehicle where information from both parties can be addressed and following mutual response activities can be reviewed: ·the physical makeup of the pipeline system in their area of response, including positions of valves, remote-control valves or mitigative valves, physical characteristics of the pipeline; ·the nature of the product being transported in the system; ·our response capabilities, including manpower, communications capabilities, repair equipment and expected response times; ·the emergency response capabilities of the from these agencies we can expect.

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.