NTSB Safety Recommendation P-92-003

NTSB safety recommendation P-92-003.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS COMPANY: TRAIN ALL EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBLE FOR VIEWING SERVICE LINE REGULATOR INSTALLATIONS TO CONDUCT VISUAL INSPECTIONS OF REGULALTOR VENTS AS SPECIFIED IN ONGC PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCT THEM ON ACTIONS TO TAKE WHEN DEFICIENT CONDITIONS ARE IDENTIFIED.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1992-04-29

Adopted Date: 1992-04-09

Overall Date Closed: 1995-08-21

Synopsis: AT 7:02 P.M. CENTRAL STANDARD TIME ON JULY 5, 1991, AT TULSA, OKLAHOMA, HIGH-PRESSURE GAS ENTERED A LOW-PRESSURE, SINGLE-FAMILY CUSTOMER-SERVICE LINE CONNECTED TO A GAS METER AND REGULATOR IN A BURIED CONCRETE BOX NEAR THE CUSTOMER'S FRONT PROPERTY LINE. GAS AT 40-PSIG PRESSURE WAS SUPPLIED TO THE REGULATOR AND METER AT 3805 EAST 98TH STREET FROM A 2-INCH-DIAMETER PLASTIC GAS MAIN AND A 1 1/4-INCH-DIAMETER PLASTIC SERVICE LINE. THE HIGH-PRESSURE GAS ENTERED THE GAS FUEL LINES AND APPLIANCES RESULTING IN THE ESCAPE OF GAS INTO THE HOUSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE GAS ESCAPING FROM THE FURNACES AND THE WATER HEATER IGNITED AND FUELED FIRES THAT DESTROYED THE MULTILEVEL HOUSE. PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED BY THE TULSA FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 540,000.

Probable Cause: Failure to ensure that the gas service regulator safety relief valve was adjusted properly

Ntsbnumber: DCA91FP009

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Oklahoma Natural Gas Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1995-08-21

Addressee Acronym: Oneok

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1995-08-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD NOTES THAT THE ONGC DEVELOPED A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO INSTALL & INSPECT SERVICE LINE REGULATOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, ONGC METER READERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO VISUALLY INSPECT ALL REMAINING UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS MONTHLY & TO REPORT ANY IMPROPER CONDITIONS FOUND. AS A RESULT OF THE ONGC TRAINING, P-92-3 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Acronym: Oneok

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1995-06-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: TRAINING CLASSES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED AS RECOMMENDED & WE ARE PROVIDING TRAINING TO ALL INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE INSTALLATION & INSPECTION OF SERVICE LINE REGULATOR INSTALLATIONS. CONDITIONS WHICH COULD LEAD TO VENT PLUGGING ARE CORRECTED BY RELOCATING THE METER & REGULATOR SETTING ABOVEGROUND. METER READERS ARE TRAINED TO MAKE VISUAL INSPECTIONS OF ALL REMAINING UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS & REPORT ANY IMPROPER CONDITIONS FOUND.

Addressee Acronym: Oneok

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1992-07-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence