NTSB Safety Recommendation P-98-011

NTSB safety recommendation P-98-011.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING & MATERIALS: REVISE ASTM D2774 TO EMPHASIZE THAT A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE, IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE, MUST BE OF THE PROPER LENGTH & INNER DIAMETER FOR THE PARTICULAR CONNECTION & MUST BE POSITIONED PROPERLY.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1998-04-30

Adopted Date: 1998-04-23

Overall Date Closed: 2002-09-26

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: American Society for Testing Materials International (ASTM)

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2002-09-26

Addressee Acronym: ASTM

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-07-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 08/16/2002 2:32:01 PM MC# 2020769 These issues were brought to the attention of the ASTM Technical Committee in May of 1998 and a revision to D2774 - Standard Practice for Underground Installation of Thermoplastic Pressure Piping was subsequently published. I have attached a copy of the most recent version for your information. In discussing this with a technical contact from the committee, I am informed that NTSB's concerns have been addressed in Section 7.4 on Protective Transition Regions. Further, Committee F17 voted to address both issues in a revision to D2774 and that a separate standard on design criteria was not needed. If in review of this standard, you are not satisfied with the consensus reached, please let me know and I will see that your concerns are once again addressed by the technical committee. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me at 610 832 9732 or rmoroan@astm.org.

Addressee Acronym: ASTM

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1998-05-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: (Letter Mail Controlled 5/14/98 3:04:21 PM MC# 980627) THANK YOU FOR THE LETTER OF 4/30/98 WHICH INCLUDED SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS P-98-11 & P-98-12. THE RECOMMENDATIONS & BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY THE NTSB ARE BEING FORWARDED TO THE ASTM TECHNICAL COMMITTEE WHICH MAINTAINS JURISDICTION OF D 2774. BY COPY OF THIS LETTER, I AM ASKING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLASTIC PIPING SYSTEMS SUBCOMMITTEE F-17.61. ON WATER TO ADD THIS ITEM TO THE AGENDA OF THEIR NEXT MEETING. THE NEXT MEETING OF F-17.61 IS SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2-5, 1998 IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. I WOULD STRONGLY ENOURAGE AN NTSB PRESENCE AT THIS MEETING. ASTM MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES & THE DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF NTSB WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT OUR TECHNICAL COMMITTEE. AGAIN, MR. HALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECOMMENDATION. I KNOW OUR PLASTIC PIPE COMMITTEE APPRECIATES YOUR EFFORTS IN THIS MATTER & WILL GIVE YOUR COMMENTS COMPLETE & CAREFUL ATTENTION.

Addressee Acronym: ASTM

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-06-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: 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 receiving an update from you regarding actions taken or planned to implement the recommendation.

Addressee Acronym: ASTM

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-09-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Mr. Morgan reported that these issues were brought to the attention of the ASTM Technical Committee in May 1998, and a revision to D2774-Standard Practice for Underground Installation of Thermoplastic Pressure Piping was subsequently published. Mr. Morgan indicated that the Safety Board's recommendations have been addressed in Section 7.4, Protective Transition Regions. Mr. Morgan further advised that Committee F17 had voted to address both issues in a revision to D2774, rather than through a separate standard on design criteria. As these actions satisfy the recommendations, Safety Recommendations P-98-11 and -12 are classified " Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: ASTM

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1998-06-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT THE ASTM FORWARDED THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ITS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE, WHICH MAINTAINS JURISDICTION OF D2774, & THAT THE ASTM HAS ASKED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLASTIC PIPING SYSTEMS SUBCOMMITTEE F-17-61 ON WATER TO ADD THESE ITEMS TO THE AGENDA AT THIS NEXT MEETING, SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 2-5 1998, IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. WE APPREIATE YOUR INVITATION FOR A BOARD REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE NOVEMBER 1998 COMMITTEE MEETING. PLEASE PROVIDE MR. CHIPKEVICH, DIRECTOR OFFICE OF PIPELINE & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY, WITH THE DETAILS ABOUT THE MEETING. PENDING FURTHER RESPONSE FROM THE ASTM, RECOMMENDATIONS P-98-11 & -12 HAVE CLASSIFIED "OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE."