Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2012-08-28 — FL
Operator
Florida Public Utilities Co
Cause
Other Outside Force Damage
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
1 injury
Property damage (nominal)
$2,500
Incident datetime
2012-08-28 11:16
Report number
Location
FL, PALM BEACH
Narrative
At approximately 11:15 am on 8/28/2012, florida public utilities was notified by west palm beach fire department of an explosion and fire at 410.5 59th st., west palm beach, fl 33407-2526. This residence is a garage apartment behind 410 59th st., west palm beach, fl. The service tech from florida public utilties arrived at 11:59 am and found the natural gas service to 410 59th st. Turned off at the meter by the fire department as they were extinguishing the fire. The tech found the 3/4" bare steel natural gas service leaking under a concrete slab at the residence. Florida public utlities dispatched a distribution crew to cut the service at the main and cap it at 1:00 pm on 8/28/12. It was determined that as a result of tropical storm isaac, there were multiple lightening strikes in the area of the residence on friday, 8/24/12. News reports stated that the resident of 410.5 59th st., west palm beach started smelling gas around this time. He did not notify florida public utilities but looked for the source of the odor himself on tuesday, 8/28/12. Attached to this report is a picture of a section of 3/4" bare steel service that was cut and capped at 410 59th st., west palm beach. It appears to have a hole caused by an electrical arc. Further investigation of this incident in the following weeks determinied that the 3/4" bs gas service was in close proximity to a cast iron sewer line and a galvanized electrical conduit. The electrical conduit was installed at some point after the gas service was installed when the garage was converted into an apartment and a concrete slab was poured over them on the ground. Stray current either from an electic power pole or induced upon the conduit and piping caused an arc between the conduit and pipes resulting in a small hole in the gas piping. Gas leaked under the slab as a result of the arc hole beginning on 8/24/12 and vented into the garage apartment. When the resident of 410 59th st. Began to look for the source of the odor on 8/28/12, he lit a cigarette, igniting the gas in the apartment. 5/28/2015 - supplemental information to the supplemental and final report filed on 4/28/2014. 1. The longitude and latitude coordinates were corrected from the original coordinates that were obtained from google maps and were slightly inaccurate. 2. The cause of the incident was changed from g2 - natural force damage (lightning) to g4 - other outside force damage (electrical arcing). Although there was lightning in the area days prior to the incident, the exact source of the current that arced a hole in the gas service could not be definitively determined after an investigation. 3. Total estimated property damage was reviewed and left as stated. The damage and removal of debris were confined to an unpermitted and uninhabited detached garage that had been converted into an apartment. The repair of the gas main consisted of installing a stop fitting and inserting approx. 100' of steel main with pe pipe and running approx. 33' of pe service. The assessed value for the entire property at 410 59th st, west palm beach was $75,210 with a market value of $92,639 in 2012. The medical costs for the injured party were not included in the property damage amount. 4. Reference to "active litigation" was removed from last narrative. 5. Contact title, phone and fax numbers have been updated for the submitter.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2012-08-28 11:16:00
Year
2012
Report Received Date
2012-08-29 00:00:00
Iyear
2012.0
Report Number
20120072.0
Supplemental Number
16087.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
5330
Name
Florida Public Utilities Co
Operator Street Address
208 Wildlight Ave
Operator City Name
Yulee
Operator State Abbreviation
FL
Operator Postal Code
32097
Local Datetime
2012-08-28 11:16:00
Location Street Address
410.5 59th St.
Location City Name
West Palm Beach
Location County Name
Palm Beach
Location State Abbreviation
FL
Location Postal Code
33407-2526
Location Latitude
26.76273
Location Longitude
-80.05291
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2012-08-28 15:17:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1022449
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
0.3
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
Yes
Num Emp Injuries
0
Num Contr Injuries
0
Num Er Injuries
0
Num Worker Injuries
0
Num Gp Injuries
1
Injure
1
Ignite Ind
Yes
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
4.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2012-08-28 11:16:00
On Site Datetime
2012-08-28 11:59:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Private Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Other
Incident Area Details
Service Line With Concrete Slab Over It
Depth Of Cover
12.0
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Privately Owned
System Part Involved
Service
Pipe Diameter
0.75
Pipe Specification
Unknown
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Other
Steel Seam Type Details
Erw
Wt Steel
0.113
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Pinhole
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
40000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
2500.0
Est Cost Emergency
1000.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
50.0
Prpty
43550.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
2.0
Accident Psig
18.0
Normal Psig
20.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Emergency Responder
Investigation Status
No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Other Outside Force Damage
Cause Details
Other Outside Force Damage
Outside Force Type
Other Outside Force Damage
Osf Other Details
Electrical Arcing Between The Gas Servicea And A Cast Iron Sewer Line. There Was Lightning In The Area A Few Days, 8/24/12, Before The Incident. There Were Also Conduits From The Unpermitted Garage Apartment In The Ground Around The Gas And Sewer Pipes. The Investigation Did Not Turn Up A Definitive Source Of The Current For The Electrical Arcing.
Preparer Name
M****** M******
Preparer Title
Compliance And Measurement Manager
Preparer Email
M*******@f***.com
Preparer Telephone
863 845-7005
Preparer Fax
863 294-0629
Authorizer Name
M****** M******
Authorizer Title
Compliance And Measurement Manager
Authorizer Telephone
863 845-7005
Authorizer Email
M*******@f***.com
Narrative
At approximately 11:15 am on 8/28/2012, florida public utilities was notified by west palm beach fire department of an explosion and fire at 410.5 59th st., west palm beach, fl 33407-2526. This residence is a garage apartment behind 410 59th st., west palm beach, fl. The service tech from florida public utilties arrived at 11:59 am and found the natural gas service to 410 59th st. Turned off at the meter by the fire department as they were extinguishing the fire. The tech found the 3/4" bare steel natural gas service leaking under a concrete slab at the residence. Florida public utlities dispatched a distribution crew to cut the service at the main and cap it at 1:00 pm on 8/28/12. It was determined that as a result of tropical storm isaac, there were multiple lightening strikes in the area of the residence on friday, 8/24/12. News reports stated that the resident of 410.5 59th st., west palm beach started smelling gas around this time. He did not notify florida public utilities but looked for the source of the odor himself on tuesday, 8/28/12. Attached to this report is a picture of a section of 3/4" bare steel service that was cut and capped at 410 59th st., west palm beach. It appears to have a hole caused by an electrical arc. Further investigation of this incident in the following weeks determinied that the 3/4" bs gas service was in close proximity to a cast iron sewer line and a galvanized electrical conduit. The electrical conduit was installed at some point after the gas service was installed when the garage was converted into an apartment and a concrete slab was poured over them on the ground. Stray current either from an electic power pole or induced upon the conduit and piping caused an arc between the conduit and pipes resulting in a small hole in the gas piping. Gas leaked under the slab as a result of the arc hole beginning on 8/24/12 and vented into the garage apartment. When the resident of 410 59th st. Began to look for the source of the odor on 8/28/12, he lit a cigarette, igniting the gas in the apartment. 5/28/2015 - supplemental information to the supplemental and final report filed on 4/28/2014. 1. The longitude and latitude coordinates were corrected from the original coordinates that were obtained from google maps and were slightly inaccurate. 2. The cause of the incident was changed from g2 - natural force damage (lightning) to g4 - other outside force damage (electrical arcing). Although there was lightning in the area days prior to the incident, the exact source of the current that arced a hole in the gas service could not be definitively determined after an investigation. 3. Total estimated property damage was reviewed and left as stated. The damage and removal of debris were confined to an unpermitted and uninhabited detached garage that had been converted into an apartment. The repair of the gas main consisted of installing a stop fitting and inserting approx. 100' of steel main with pe pipe and running approx. 33' of pe service. The assessed value for the entire property at 410 59th st, west palm beach was $75,210 with a market value of $92,639 in 2012. The medical costs for the injured party were not included in the property damage amount. 4. Reference to "active litigation" was removed from last narrative. 5. Contact title, phone and fax numbers have been updated for the submitter.
| Occurred At | 2012-08-28 11:16:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2012 |
| Report Received Date | 2012-08-29 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2012.0 |
| Report Number | 20120072.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 16087.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 5330 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Florida Public Utilities Co |
| Operator Street Address | 208 Wildlight Ave |
| Operator City Name | Yulee |
| Operator State Abbreviation | FL |
| Operator Postal Code | 32097 |
| Local Datetime | 2012-08-28 11:16:00 |
| Location Street Address | 410.5 59th St. |
| Location City Name | West Palm Beach |
| Location County Name | Palm Beach |
| Location State Abbreviation | FL |
| Location Postal Code | 33407-2526 |
| Location Latitude | 26.76273 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -80.05291 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2012-08-28 15:17:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1022449 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 0.3 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Injuries | 0 |
| Num Contr Injuries | 0 |
| Num Er Injuries | 0 |
| Num Worker Injuries | 0 |
| Num Gp Injuries | 1 |
| Injure | 1 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 4.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2012-08-28 11:16:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2012-08-28 11:59:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Private Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Other |
| Incident Area Details | Service Line With Concrete Slab Over It |
| Depth Of Cover | 12.0 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Privately Owned |
| System Part Involved | Service |
| Pipe Diameter | 0.75 |
| Pipe Specification | Unknown |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Steel Seam Type | Other |
| Steel Seam Type Details | Erw |
| Wt Steel | 0.113 |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Pinhole |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 40000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 2500.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 1000.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 50.0 |
| Prpty | 43550.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 2.0 |
| Accident Psig | 18.0 |
| Normal Psig | 20.0 |
| Mop Psig | 60.0 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Emergency Responder |
| Investigation Status | No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Other Outside Force Damage |
| Cause Details | Other Outside Force Damage |
| Outside Force Type | Other Outside Force Damage |
| Osf Other Details | Electrical Arcing Between The Gas Servicea And A Cast Iron Sewer Line. There Was Lightning In The Area A Few Days, 8/24/12, Before The Incident. There Were Also Conduits From The Unpermitted Garage Apartment In The Ground Around The Gas And Sewer Pipes. The Investigation Did Not Turn Up A Definitive Source Of The Current For The Electrical Arcing. |
| Preparer Name | M****** M****** |
| Preparer Title | Compliance And Measurement Manager |
| Preparer Email | M*******@f***.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 863 845-7005 |
| Preparer Fax | 863 294-0629 |
| Authorizer Name | M****** M****** |
| Authorizer Title | Compliance And Measurement Manager |
| Authorizer Telephone | 863 845-7005 |
| Authorizer Email | M*******@f***.com |
| Narrative | At approximately 11:15 am on 8/28/2012, florida public utilities was notified by west palm beach fire department of an explosion and fire at 410.5 59th st., west palm beach, fl 33407-2526. This residence is a garage apartment behind 410 59th st., west palm beach, fl. The service tech from florida public utilties arrived at 11:59 am and found the natural gas service to 410 59th st. Turned off at the meter by the fire department as they were extinguishing the fire. The tech found the 3/4" bare steel natural gas service leaking under a concrete slab at the residence. Florida public utlities dispatched a distribution crew to cut the service at the main and cap it at 1:00 pm on 8/28/12. It was determined that as a result of tropical storm isaac, there were multiple lightening strikes in the area of the residence on friday, 8/24/12. News reports stated that the resident of 410.5 59th st., west palm beach started smelling gas around this time. He did not notify florida public utilities but looked for the source of the odor himself on tuesday, 8/28/12. Attached to this report is a picture of a section of 3/4" bare steel service that was cut and capped at 410 59th st., west palm beach. It appears to have a hole caused by an electrical arc. Further investigation of this incident in the following weeks determinied that the 3/4" bs gas service was in close proximity to a cast iron sewer line and a galvanized electrical conduit. The electrical conduit was installed at some point after the gas service was installed when the garage was converted into an apartment and a concrete slab was poured over them on the ground. Stray current either from an electic power pole or induced upon the conduit and piping caused an arc between the conduit and pipes resulting in a small hole in the gas piping. Gas leaked under the slab as a result of the arc hole beginning on 8/24/12 and vented into the garage apartment. When the resident of 410 59th st. Began to look for the source of the odor on 8/28/12, he lit a cigarette, igniting the gas in the apartment. 5/28/2015 - supplemental information to the supplemental and final report filed on 4/28/2014. 1. The longitude and latitude coordinates were corrected from the original coordinates that were obtained from google maps and were slightly inaccurate. 2. The cause of the incident was changed from g2 - natural force damage (lightning) to g4 - other outside force damage (electrical arcing). Although there was lightning in the area days prior to the incident, the exact source of the current that arced a hole in the gas service could not be definitively determined after an investigation. 3. Total estimated property damage was reviewed and left as stated. The damage and removal of debris were confined to an unpermitted and uninhabited detached garage that had been converted into an apartment. The repair of the gas main consisted of installing a stop fitting and inserting approx. 100' of steel main with pe pipe and running approx. 33' of pe service. The assessed value for the entire property at 410 59th st, west palm beach was $75,210 with a market value of $92,639 in 2012. The medical costs for the injured party were not included in the property damage amount. 4. Reference to "active litigation" was removed from last narrative. 5. Contact title, phone and fax numbers have been updated for the submitter. |
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