NTSB Safety Recommendation Letter P-18-001 through P-18-004

Page 1Official PDFThe following Safety Recommendation was issued as a result of NTSB Pipeline Safety Recommendation Report “Installation of PermaLock Mechanical Tapping Tee Assemblies. ” Report number PSR-18-01. Adopted on June 18, 2018 and published on June 25, 2018. Safety Recommendation Number Safety Recommendation Recipient Safety Recommendation Text P-18-001 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Work with state pipeline regulators to incorporate into their inspection programs, a review to ensure that gas distribution pipeline operators are using best practices recommended by the manufacturer in their distribution integrity management programs, including using the specified tools and methods, to correctly install PermaLock mechanical tapping tee assemblies. P-18-002 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Reference the use of external sources of information for threat identification in your frequently asked questions for preparation of distribution integrity management programs. P-18-003 Honeywell Update your PermaLock mechanical tapping tee assembly installation instructions to specify the exact tools that should be used during installation and explain what an installer should sense while using those tools throughout the installation process. P-18-004 Honeywell Specify in your PermaLock mechanical tapping tee 1#

Page 2Safety Recommendation Number Safety Recommendation Recipient Safety Recommendation Text assembly installation instructions a not-to-exceed torque limit for Nylon bolts and have that value checked and adjusted with a torque wrench immediately after installation. (P-18-4) 2#

Page 3June 25, 2018 The Honorable Howard “Skip” Elliott Administrator Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration On June 18, 2018, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) adopted its safety recommendation report Installation of PermaLock Mechanical Tapping Tee Assemblies, PSR- 18/01. This report is based on our ongoing investigation of a fatal accident involving a natural gas explosion and fire in Millersville, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 2017. The details of the ongoing investigation and the resulting safety recommendations may be found in the attached report, which can also be accessed at http://www.ntsb.gov. Among the Safety Recommendations are two recommendations issued to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which can be found on page 9 of the report. The NTSB is vitally interested in these recommendations because they are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. We would appreciate a response within 90 days, detailing the actions you have taken or intend to take to implement these recommendations. When replying, please refer to the safety recommendations by number. We encourage you to submit your response to correspondence@ntsb.gov. If it exceeds 10 megabytes, including attachments, please e-mail us at the same address for instructions. Please do not submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy of the same response. 3#

Page 4June 25, 2018 Mr. Darius Adamczyk President and CEO Honeywell The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents in other modes of transportation—railroad, highway, marine, and pipeline. We determine the probable cause of the accidents and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. In addition, we carry out special studies concerning transportation safety and coordinate the resources of the federal government and other organizations to provide assistance to victims and their family members affected by major transportation disasters. On June 18, 2018, the NTSB adopted its safety recommendation report Installation of PermaLock Mechanical Tapping Tee Assemblies, PSR-18/01. This report is based on our ongoing investigation of a fatal accident involving a natural gas explosion and fire in Millersville, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 2017. The details of the ongoing investigation and the resulting safety recommendations may be found in the attached report, which can also be accessed at http://www.ntsb.gov. Among the Safety Recommendations are two recommendations issued to Honeywell, which can be found on page 9 of the report. The NTSB is vitally interested in these recommendations because they are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. We would appreciate a response within 90 days, detailing the actions you have taken or intend to take to implement these recommendations. When replying, please refer to the safety recommendations by number. We encourage you to submit your response to correspondence@ntsb.gov. If it exceeds 10 megabytes, including attachments, please e-mail us at the same address for instructions. Please do not submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy of the same response. 4#