NTSB Safety Recommendation P-98-006

NTSB safety recommendation P-98-006.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE: PUBLISH THE CODES USED TO IDENTIFY PLASTIC PIPING PRODUCTS IN PREVIOUS GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE STUDIES TO MAKE THE INFO CONTAINED IN THESE STUDIES MORE USEFUL TO PIPELINE OPERATORS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1998-04-30

Adopted Date: 1998-04-23

Overall Date Closed: 2004-08-19

Synopsis: DESPITE THE GENERAL ACCEPTANCE OF PLASTIC PIPING AS A SAFE & ECONOMICAL ALTERNATIVE TO PIPING MADE OF STEEL OR OTHER MATERIALS, THE BOARD NOTES THAT A NUMBER OF PIPELINE ACCIDENTS IT HAS INVESTIGATED HAVE INVOLVED PLASTIC PIPING THAT CRACKED IN A BRITTLE-LIKE MANNER. FOR EXAMPLE, ON 10/17/94, AN EXPLOSION & FIRE IN WATERLOO, IOWA, DESTROYED A BUILDING & DAMAGED OTHER PROPERTY. SIX PERSONS DIED & SEVEN WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE BOARD INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT NATURAL GAS HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM A PLASTIC SERVICE PIPE THAT HAD FAILED IN A BRITTLE-LIKE MANNER AT A CONNECTION TO A STEEL MAIN.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA95MP001

Report Number: SIR-98-01

Addressee Name: Gas Research Institute

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2004-08-19

Addressee Acronym: GRI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2004-05-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 6/2/2004 9:06:38 AM MC# 2040261 As per our discussions, I am enclosing a copy of the report prepared by the Gas Research Institute which in my opinion meets the concerns raised by the National Transportation Safety Board in its Safety Recommendation P-98-6 dealing with the publication of codes used by GRI in studies dealing with plastic pipe R&D.

Addressee Acronym: GRI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1998-06-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: (Letter Mail Controlled 6/16/98 3:25:48 PM MC# 980774) GRI HAS LONG SUPPORTED R&D RELATED TO THE USE OF PLATIC PIPE TO TRANSPORT NATURAL GAS INCLUDING, AS YOU NOTE IN YOUR RECOMMENDATION, STUDIES WHICH HAVE EXAMINED THE BASIS FOR PLASTIC GAS PIPE FAILURES (GRI REPORTS 81/0012, 84/9235.1, 84/0235). GRI HAS ALSO DISSEMINATED THE RESULTS OF THIS RESEARCH TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE PARTICULAR GAS PIPE FAILURE RESULTS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY GRI ONLY TO THOSE COMPANIES THAT SUBMITTED PIPE FAILURE SAMPLES FOR TESTING. TO PROVIDE BENEFITS TO THE BROADER GAS INDUSTRY & ITS CUSTOMERS, GRI HAS CONDUCTED GENERAL IN-DEPTH RESEARCH ON PLASTIC PIPING USED FOR NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION. THE RESULTS OF GRI RESEARCH HAVE INDUCED RESIN & PLASTIC PIPE MANUFACTURERS TO DEVELOP & MARKET NEW COST-EFFECTIVE POLYETHYLENE GAS PIPING MATERIALS & COMPONENT HAVE (A) SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED RESISTANCE TO BRITTLE-LIKE CRACKING, SLOW-CRACK GROWTH, & RAPID CRACK PROPAGATION; (B) CONSIDERABLY ENHANCED MECHANICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIES; & (C) SUPERIOR LONG-TERM STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE IN GAS DISTRIBUTION APPLICATION (GRI REPORTS 81/0126, 84/0168, 840/169, 85/0010, 91/0360, 92/0479, 92/0480, 92/0105, 93/0106, 93/0124, 97/0166.

Addressee Acronym: GRI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-09-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: On July 16, 1998, Safety Board staff met with GRI representatives to discuss GRI studies and ways in which the institute could release the codes used to identify the plastic pipe discussed in them. Subsequent to our meeting, GRI staff advised us that Battelle Laboratories, in performing its own research, had accumulated much of the same information that was the subject of this recommendation, and that GRI planned to publish Battelle's material. Depending on the scope of the information to be published, the Safety Board advised GRI on October 19, 1998, that this would be an acceptable alternate course of action to address the recommendation. Pending the completion of this action, Safety Recommendation P-98-6 was classified "Open-Acceptable Alternate Response." The Safety Board is interested in knowing whether and how its recommendations are implemented, both to ensure that the public is provided the highest level of safety, and to identify creative solutions that might be shared with others. That is why we monitor the implementation of all our recommendations. We would appreciate an update from you regarding actions taken or planned to implement the recommendation.

Addressee Acronym: GRI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2004-04-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: On July 16, 1998, Safety Board staff met with GRI representatives to discuss GRI studies and ways in which the institute could release the codes used to identify the plastic pipe discussed in them. Subsequent to our meeting, GRI staff advised us that Battelle Laboratories, in performing its own research, had accumulated much of the same information that was the subject of this recommendation, and that GRI planned to publish Battelle’s material. Depending on the scope of the information to be published, the Safety Board advised GRI on October 19, 1998, that this would be an acceptable alternate course of action to address the recommendation. Pending the completion of this action, Safety Recommendation P-98-6 was classified "Open--Acceptable Alternate Response." The Safety Board is interested in knowing whether and how its recommendations are implemented, both to ensure that the public is provided the highest level of safety, and to identify creative solutions that might be shared with others. That is why we monitor the implementation of all our recommendations. We would appreciate an update from you regarding actions taken or planned to implement the recommendation. Please address your response to Ms. Ellen Engleman Conners, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, and refer to the recommendations by number in your response. A copy of the recommendation letter and related correspondence are enclosed for your reference. Please call me at 202-314-6174 if you have any questions. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Michael T. Brown, Pipeline Safety Recommendations

Addressee Acronym: GRI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2004-08-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board notes that in November 1998, the GRI issued a topical report, titled Handbook of Hydrostatic Stress-Rupture Data for Plastic Pipe Materials Used for Gas Distribution (GRI-98/0355), which is a compilation of the Battelle Laboratories research. Because this action satisfies the recommendation, Safety Recommendation P-98-6 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: GRI

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1998-10-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: WE WERE PLEASED TO LEARN THAT GRI PLANS TO PUBLISH THIS BATTELLE MATERIAL DEPENDING ON SCOPE OF THE INFO TO BE PUBLISHED, THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE THAT WILL ACHIEVE THE INTENT OF THE RECOMMENDATION. PENDING FURTHER REPLY ON THE PROPOSAL TO PUBLISH THE BATTELLE MATERIAL, P-98-6 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "OPEN--ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE RESPONSE."