NTSB Safety Recommendation P-98-010

NTSB safety recommendation P-98-010.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE GAS PIPING TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE: REVISE THE GUIDE FOR GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION PIPING SYSTEMS TO INCLUDE COMPLETE GUIDANCE FOR THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF PLASTIC SERVICE PIPE CONNECTIONS TO STEEL MAINS. THE GUIDANCE SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE NEED TO LIMIT PIPE BENDING AND SHOULD INCLUDE A DISCUSSION OF THE PROPER DESIGN POSITIONING OF A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE TO LIMIT STRESS AT THE CONNECTION.

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 AND 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 AND FIRE IN WATERLOO, IOWA, DESTROYED A BUILDING AND DAMAGED OTHER PROPERTY. SIX PERSONS DIED AND 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: American Gas Association, Gas Piping Technology Committee

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2004-08-19

Addressee Acronym: GPTC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2004-06-24

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 6/28/2004 3:10:56 PM MC# 2040356 The Gas Piping Technology Committee (GPTC) has approved the attached revised material to address NTSB's recommendation contained in P-98- 10. The Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems (Guide) will be revised to include guidance for the proper installation of plastic service pipe connections to steel mains including the need to limit pipe bonding, and the proper design and positioning of a protective sleeve at the connection. The revisions will be included in Addendum No. 1 to the 2003 Edition of the Guide to be published later this year. GPTC consists of approximately 80 members with technical expertise in natural gas distribution, transmission, and gathering systems. Its membership is balanced between gas distribution operators, gas transmission operators, manufacturers, and general interest personnel such as federal and state regulators. The GPTC is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited committee since 1992. GPTC appreciates this opportunity to respond to NTSB and believes the revisions to the Guide fully meet NTSB's recommendation.

Addressee Acronym: GPTC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1998-08-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: (Letter Mail Controlled 8/13/98 3:17:43 PM MC# 981004) GPTC HELD ITS 2ND OF 3 ANNUAL MEETING DURING THE WEEK OF 7/13/98 PORTLAND, OR. DURING THIS MEETING, A NEW TRANSACTION (REFERRED AS AS TR) WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE SECTION OF THE COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS THE NTSB RECOMMENDATION P-98-10. THE TRANSACTION NUMBER IS TR-98-16 & IS ENTITLED REVIEW GUIDE MATERIAL UNDER 192.361 TO INCLUDE GUIDANCE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF PLASTIC SERVICE TO STEEL & OTHER TYPES OF MAINS, INCLUDING THE DESIGN & POSITIONING OF PROTECTIVE SLEEVES, TO LIMIT PIPE BENDING & STRESS INTENSIFICATION. THE COMMITTEE'S OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M) TASK GROUP WAS ASSIGNED TO THIS TRANSACTION. THE GPTC IS AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE (ANSI) ACCREDITED COMMITTEE & THE GUIDE FOR GAS TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION PIPING SYSTEMS IS AN ANSI ACCREDITED STANDARD. AS SUCH, TR-98-16 WILL BE PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE TO ANSI PROCEDURES. I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED.

Addressee Acronym: GPTC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-09-09

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The GPTC indicated in its August 3, 1998, letter that it would address this recommendation in a new guide, transaction number TR-98-16, titled Review guide material under 192.361 to include guidance for proper installation of plastic services to steel and other types of mains, including the design and positioning of protective sleeves, to limit pipe bending and stress intensification. The Safety Board understood that the committee's operations and maintenance task group was assigned to this transaction, that TR-98-16 would be handled in accordance with the American National Standards Institute procedures, and that the GPTC would keep the Board apprised of its progress on this issue. Pending the publishing of this document, Safety Recommendation P-98-10 was classified "Open--Acceptable Response" on August 27, 1998. 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. We would appreciate receiving an update from you regarding actions taken or planned to implement the above-listed recommendation.

Addressee Acronym: GPTC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2004-03-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The GPTC indicated in its August 3, 1998, letter that it would address this recommendation in a new guide, transaction number TR-98-16, titled Review guide material under 192.361 to include guidance for proper installation of plastic services to steel and other types of mains, including the design and positioning of protective sleeves, to limit pipe bending and stress intensification. The Safety Board understood that the committee’s operations and maintenance task group was assigned to this transaction, that TR-98-16 would be handled in accordance with the American National Standards Institute procedures, and that the GPTC would keep the Board apprised of its progress on this issue. Pending the publishing of this document, Safety Recommendation P-98-10 was classified "Open--Acceptable Response" on August 27, 1998. Staff has heard that GPTC Z380 was revised on October 31, 2003. If so, does this revised document contain information requested in P-98-10? If you could email a copy of the revised sections, that would be great. 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. We would appreciate receiving an update from you regarding actions taken or planned to implement the above-listed recommendation. Please address your response to Ms. Ellen Engleman Conners, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, and refer to the recommendation by number in your response. A copy of the recommendation letter and related correspondence are enclosed for your reference. Call me at 202-314-6174 if you have questions. Thank you for your assistance. Michael T. Brown Pipeline Safety Recommendations

Addressee Acronym: GPTC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2004-08-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board understands that the GPTC approved amendments to the Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems (guide); these amendments contain guidance for the proper installation of plastic service pipe connections to steel mains (including the need to limit pipe bending) and the proper design and positioning of a protective sleeve at the connection, as requested. The revisions will be included in Addendum No. 1 to the 2003 edition of the guide, which will be published later this year. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-98-10 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: GPTC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1998-08-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD IS PLEASED THAT THE GPTC WILL ADDRESS THIS RECOMMENDATION IN A NEW GUIDE, TRANSACTION NUMBER TR-98-16, ENTITLE REVIEW GUIDE MATERIAL UNDER 192.361 TO INCLUDE GUIDANCE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF PLASTIC SERVICES TO STEEL & OTHER TYPES OF MAINS, INCLUDING THE DESIGN & POSITIONING OF PROTECTIVE SLEEVES, TO LIMIT PIPE BENDING & STRESS INTENSIFICATION. THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT THE COMMITTEE'S OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE TASK GROUP WAS ASSIGNED TO THIS TRANSACTION, THAT TR-98-16 WILL BE HANDLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE PROCEDURES, & THAT THE GPTC WILL KEEP THE BOARD APPRISED OF ITS PROGRESS. THEREFORE, P-98-10 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE" PENDING FURTHER REPLY FROM THE GPTC ON THE STATUS OF THE PUBLISHING OF TR-98-16.