NTSB Safety Recommendation P-92-013

NTSB safety recommendation P-92-013.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT CONTRACTED WORK ON ALL GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS THAT ARE OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE ARMY COMPLIES WITH APPLICABLE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GAS PIPELINE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

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: ALL CORPS OFFICES WERE PROVIDED INTERIM GUIDANCE ON DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION OF NATURAL GAS SYSTEMS. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED CRITERIA BASED ON 49 CFR PART, 192, SO ALL PROJECTS THEN UNDER DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION COULD BE CHECKED FOR COMPLIANCE, AND MODIFIED IF NECESSARY.

Addressee Acronym: DA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1993-01-06

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: SPECIFIC DESIGN REQUIREMENTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH 49 CFR PART 192 HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE USACE DESIGN CRITERIA GUIDE, AND USACE OFFICES HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO COMPLY WITH THE TECHNICAL PROVISIONS FOR CONTRACTED WORK. BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P-92-13 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."