NTSB Safety Recommendation P-91-010

NTSB safety recommendation P-91-010.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE TEXAS EASTERN PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY: EXTEND YOUR PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM ON RECOGNIZING & RESPONDING TO HIGHLY VOLATILE LIQUID PIPELINE EMERGENCIES TO INCLUDE ALL PERSONS WHO RESIDE AT ELEVATIONS LOWER THAN & WITHIN 1 MILE OF 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

Keywords: Training and Education, Public Education (Pipeline)

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 extended its public education program as requested. The Board notes that TEPPCO has contacted residents by mail to provide instructions concerning what to do in case of an emergency involving a suspected release. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-91-10 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 extended its public education program to include all persons who reside at elevations lower than and within 1 mile of our pipeline systems. The process utilized for all highly volatile liquids pipelines in our systems: ·identify a two-(2) mile wide corridor along the path of each system; ·utilize publicly available electronic postal Zip+four area files to identify all postal routes which are incorporated within or contact our corridor; ·residents and businesses located in these areas receive a mail-out that includes instructions on how one should react if a release is suspected; ·additional information included in this correspondence are emergency contact numbers, characteristics of the product(s) being transported in each pipeline, who should be contacted and personal safety issues.

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.