NTSB Safety Recommendation P-92-007

NTSB safety recommendation P-92-007.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE SECREATRY OF THE ARMY: REQUIRE THAT ALL GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS THAT ARE OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE ARMY CONFORM TO THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 192, AND REQUIRE THAT ALL NEWLY CONSTRUCTED GAS PIPELINES THAT ARE OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE ARMY CONFORM TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS OF PART 192.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1992-05-01

Adopted Date: 1992-04-08

Overall Date Closed: 1993-01-06

Synopsis: ON DECEMBER 9, 1990, A GAS SYSTEM VALVE BETWEEN ONE OF FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON'S GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND A DISCONTINUED STEEL GAS SYSTEM SEGMENT WAS INADVERTENTLY OPENED, ALLOWING NATURAL GAS TO ENTER RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED THEIR GAS FROM THE DISCONTINUED SEGMENT. GAS ACCUMULATING IN BUILDING 1025 OF HARRISON VILLAGE WAS IGNITED BY ONE OF MANY AVAILABLE SOURCES, SUCH AS ELECTRICAL SWITCHES AND APPLIANCES, AND THE RESULTING EXPLOSION KILLED 2 OCCUPANTS AND INJURED 24 OTHER PERSONS. ONE BUILDING WAS DESTROYED, AND TWO WERE DAMAGED.

Probable Cause: Failure of the Army to construct, maintain, and operate the Fort's gas distribution system in accordance with its own and the industry's standards.

Ntsbnumber: DCA91MP002

Report Number: PAR-92-01

Addressee Name: United States Department of War, Department of the Army

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1993-01-06

Addressee Acronym: DA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1992-08-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: ARMY MAJOR COMMANDS AND INSTALLATION ENGINEERS HAVE RECEIVED CONSIDERABLE DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE IN THE NECESSITY OF OPERATING AND MAINTAINING NATURAL GAS SYSTEMS IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR PART 192. ALL CORPS OF ENGINEERS OFFICES HAVE RECEIVED GUIDANCE ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR PART 192. THE DESIGN PROCESS HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY ASSURING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDE THE APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS. SPECIFIC DESIGN REQUIREMENTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 49 CFR PART 192 CRITERIA, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE COE DESIGN CRITERIA GUIDE. THE GUIDE GOES BEYOND THE BASIC REQUIREMENT OF 49 CFR PART 192.

Addressee Acronym: DA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1993-01-06

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE SAFETY BOARD NOTES THAT THE ARMY NOW REQUIRES THAT THE TECHNICAL PROVISIONS OF 49 CFR PART 192 BE FOLLOWED IN THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF ARMY-OWNED NATURAL GAS SYSTEMS. SPECIFIC DESIGN REQUIREMENTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH 49 CFR PART 192 CRITERIA HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE) DESIGN CRITERIA GUIDE. USACE OFFICES HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO COMPLY WITH THE TECHNICAL PROVISIONS OF 49 CFR PART 192. BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P-92-7 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."