NTSB Safety Recommendation P-96-013

NTSB safety recommendation P-96-013.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS: URGE ITS MEMBERS TO INSTRUCT THEIR INSPECTOR TO REPORT OBSERVED OF SUSPECTED DAMAGE TO A BURIED FACILITY, INCLUDING LACK OF SUPPORT, TO THE OWNER IMMEDIATELY.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Exceeds Recommended Action

Issued Date: 1996-03-06

Adopted Date: 1996-02-26

Overall Date Closed: 1996-06-13

Synopsis: ABOUT 6:45 P.M. ON 6/9/94, A 2-INCH-DIAMETER STEEL GAS SERVICE LINE THAT HAD BEEN EXPOSED DURING EXCAVATION SEPARATED AT A COMPRESSION COUPLING ABOUT 5 FEET FROM THE NORTH WALL OF JOHN T. GROSS TOWERS, AN EIGHT-STORY RETIREMENT HOME OPERATED BY THE ALLENTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY AT ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. THE FAILED UGI UTILITIES, INC,. (UGI) SERVICE LINE RELEASED NATAURAL GAS AT 55 PSIG PRESSURE, & THE ESCAPING GAS FLOWED UNDERGROUND TO GROSS TOWERS. THE GAS PASSED THROUGH OPENINGS IN THE BUILDING FOUNDATION, ENTERED THE MECHANICAL ROOM THROUGH FLOOR VENTS, & MIGRATED TO OTHER BUILDING FLOORS.

Probable Cause: The failure of the management of Environmental Preservation Associates, Inc. (EPAI) to ensure, through project oversight, compliance with its own excavation requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) excavation requirements.

Ntsbnumber: DCA94MP003

Report Number: PAR-96-01

Addressee Name: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Addressee Status: Closed - Exceeds Recommended Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1996-06-13

Addressee Acronym: IAFC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1996-03-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE ATTACHED STORY (ENTITLED NTSB: PIPELINE INSPECTION WARNING) WILL BE FEATURED IN THE IFACF'S NEWS LETTER, ON SCENE, WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS LINK WITH ALL 11,000 IAFC MEMBERS & FIRE DEPARTMENTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE SAME STORY WILL BE POSTED ON THE ICHIEFS ELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARD WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED VIA THE INTERNET. ADDITIONALLY, AN OFFICIAL IAFC PRESS BULLETIN ON SAME WILL BE SENT TO ALL FIRE TRADE JOURNALS & PUBLIC SAFETY GROUPS.

Addressee Acronym: IAFC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1996-06-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT ITS DISTRIBUTION, AS INDICATED, MORE THAN MEETS THE RECOMMEND ACTION. THEREFORE, P-96-13, HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--EXCEED RECOMMENDED ACTION." THE BOARD NOTES THAT YOUR ARTICLE CORRECTLY STATES NTSB/PIPELINE ACCIDENT REPORT 96-01 MAY BE ORDER THROUGH NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFO SERVICE; HOWEVER, THE BOARD WILL ALSO PROVIDE THE REPORT TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS, WITHOUT CHARGE, UNTIL OUR SUPPLY IS EXHAUSTED. THE BOARD APPRECIATES YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS RECOMMENDATION & YOUR COMMITMENT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY.