NTSB Safety Recommendation P-92-012

NTSB safety recommendation P-92-012.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: EXPLICITLY REQUIRE COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GAS PIPELINE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN CONTRACTS THAT AFFECT THE CONSTRUCTION. REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS THAT ARE OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE ARMY.

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 REGULATIONS DEALING WITH THE DESIGN PROCESS HAVE BEEN REWRITTEN TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCLUSION OF 49 CFR, PART 192 CRITERIA TO THE DESIGN OF ARMY NATURAL GAS SYSTEMS. THE ENGINEERING DOCUMENTS TO PREPARE THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE DESIGN PHASE OF A PROJECT HAVE BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS 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 GUIDE FOR THE PREPARATION OF GAS SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS HAS BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO 49 CFR PART 192. FURTHERMORE, THE REVISED TECHNICAL MANUAL COMPLIES WITH THE TECHNICAL PROVISIONS OF THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE SAFETY ACT OF 1968 AND PROVIDES DETAILED GUIDANCE ON ALL PREVENTIVE AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THEREFORE, SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P-92-12 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."