NTSB Safety Recommendation P-93-023

NTSB safety recommendation P-93-023.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS: ADVISE YOUR MEMBERS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE APRIL 7, 1992, EXPLOSION AT BRENHAM, TEXAS, AND URGE THEM TO DETERMINE WHETHER HIGHLY VOLATILE LIQUIDS OR NATURAL GAS UNDERGROUND STORAGE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS; IF SUCH FACILITIES ARE PRESENT, URGE THAT YOUR MEMBERS ENSURE THEIR DISASTER PLANS IDENTIFY CONDITIONS THAT WARRANT AN EVACUATION, IDENTIFY THE EXTENT OF THE AREA TO BE EVACUATED, AND INCLUDE PROCEDURES FOR CARRYING OUT AN EVACUATION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1993-12-15

Adopted Date: 1993-11-04

Overall Date Closed: 2001-06-20

Synopsis: ON APRIL 7, 1992, AN UNCONTROLLED RELEASE OF HIGHLY VOLATILE LIQUIDS (HVLS) FROM A SALT DOME STORAGE CAVERN IN THE SEMINOLE PIPELINE SYSTEM NEAR BRENHAM, TEXAS, FORMED A LARGE, HEAVIER-THAN-AIR GAS CLOUD THAT EXPLODED. THREE PEOPLE DIED FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED EITHER FROM THE BLAST OR IN THE FIRE. AN ADDITIONAL 21 PEOPLE WERE TREATED FOR INJURIES AT AREA HOSPITALS. DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT EXCEEDED $9 MILLION.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA92MP006

Report Number: PAR-93-01

Addressee Name: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-06-20

Addressee Acronym: IAFC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2001-04-06

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 04/17/2001 11:50:28 AM MC# 2010332 In this issue, dated April 15,200 1, we have notified our membership of the National Transportation Safety Board's Safety Recommendation P-93-23 (see page 5) regarding incidents where highly volatile liquids (HVLs) are present at the scene.

Addressee Acronym: IAFC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2001-07-31

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 08/10/2001 1:54:06 PM MC# 2010637

Addressee Acronym: IAFC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2001-06-05

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: To date, there has been no response from ICHIEFS on Safety Recommendation P-93-23. The Safety Board would appreciate learning what action has been taken, if any, to implement Safety Recommendation P-93-23. A copy of the recommendation letter is enclosed for your reference.

Addressee Acronym: IAFC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2001-06-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board is pleased that the IAFC published articles in its newsletter On Scene, which served to advise its membership of the circumstances of these two accidents and the associated recommendations to prevent recurrence. With respect to H-91-10 in particular, we are also aware through correspondence with the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that NFPA standards on fire apparatus and on fire department occupational safety and health now require that every responder be provided with a designated seat and that all responders be seated and belted before the apparatus moves. Accordingly, Safety Recommendations H-91-7 through -10 and P-93-23 are classified "Closed-Acceptable Action."