The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published information on three recent pipeline incidents:
July 2, 2017 in Millersville, Pennsylvania for Failed Mechanical Tapping Tee
The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the home explosion was an improperly installed mechanical tapping tee that leaked and allowed gas to migrate into the house where it ignited. The NTSB issued four Safety Recommendations, one of which recommended that insuring the correct installation of Permalock mechanical tapping tees be addressed in an operator’s DIMP.
Note: The new version of SHRIMP 3.0, which is set to be released in early April, includes an update addressing this recommendation.
Click Here to read the Accident Report.
February 6, 2019 in San Francisco, California for Excavation Damage & Resulting Fire
A third-party contractor installing a fiberoptic conduit damaged a two-inch natural gas main at the connection to a four-inch main. The release of gas and its subsequent ignition lead to a fire. Future investigative activity will focus on the third-party contractor’s preparedness and qualifications to perform the excavation work and the execution of the gas utility and local fire and police department emergency response plans.
Click Here to read the Preliminary Report
August 10, 2016 in Silver Spring, Maryland for Apartment Building Explosion
An explosion and fire occurred in a four-story apartment building. The accident resulted in seven fatalities, and 65 individuals were transported to area hospitals and three firefighters suffered minor injuries. The NTSB will share the probable cause, its findings, and any safety recommendations at a NTSB Board Meeting on April 23, 2019.
Click Here for more information about the meeting and how to view it on Webcast.
For questions on this article, please contact Erin Kurilla of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at
ekurilla@apga.org.