Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2012-06-21 — NY
Operator
Orange & Rockland Utility Inc
Cause
Other Incident Cause
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$0
Incident datetime
2012-06-21 16:28
Report number
Location
NY, ROCKLAND
Narrative
Contractor raines & welsh (r&w) was awarded the contract to upgrade the low pressure system to high pressure gas mains and services in nyack. The work included retiring and in some cases removing the existing low pressure facilities. R&w began work on the project in september 2011. On the day of the incident r&w was retiring a section of 12 inch low pressure steel gas main on broadway at 1st street in west nyack. The 12 inch main runs north and south on broadway and had a radial 4 inch low pressure steel main coming off to the west on 1st st. R&w excavated and exposed the 12 inch and 4 inch main. The balloon stoppers were inflated to 4 psi tested for leakage and held pressure for over one hour before being used. They installed two tapping tees and four low pressure balloon stoppers into the 12 inch pipe at the locations shown on the sketch. The 4 inch main had previously been dead ended with a cap further west along 1st street and did not require any stoppers. R&w then performed a flow test to confirm that gas was being supplied to the main north and south of the isolated section. The pressure gauges on the balloon stoppers were checked to confirm that the stoppers were holding and that the section was effectively isolated. R&w cut the 12 inch pipe on the north end of the excavation with a reed 4 wheel pipe cutter. They then made two cuts with a demo saw on the 4 inch steel main, removing a 4 inch ring. R&w used an orbital cutter and torch to bevel cut the south side of the 12 inch main. The crew made a second cut and removed about a 4 inch ring at the southerly end of the 12 inch pipe. When the rings were cut r&w had sufficient clearance and the cut out section was removed from the excavation. R&w set up the orbital cutter to bevel the rough cut on the north end of the 12 inch main. The contractor's welder and crew foreman were in the excavation and began to make the bevel cut. At 16:28, when they had flame cut approximately 8 inches of the circumference, the northerly balloon stoppers failed and the leaking gas ignited. Both men exited the excavation and were not injured by the ignition or the ensuing gas fed fire. The three regulator stations supplying the affected area were turned off and the residual gas burned off. Approximately 385 gas services were interrupted. Overhead electric facilities in the area were de-energized interrupting approximately 650 services. Electric service was restored at approximately 20:40 that evening. Gas construction installed compression caps on the 12 inch open ends and a wooden plug in the dead 4 inch main. O&r service mechanics along with cecony gds crews worked around-the-clock to restore gas service to the affected customers. Gas service was fully restored at 18:00 on 6/24/12
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2012-06-21 16:28:00
Year
2012
Report Received Date
2012-09-18 00:00:00
Iyear
2012.0
Report Number
20120077.0
Supplemental Number
15514.0
Report Type
Original
Operator Id
14330
Name
Orange & Rockland Utility Inc
Operator Street Address
One Blue Hill Plaza
Operator City Name
Pearl River
Operator State Abbreviation
NY
Operator Postal Code
10965
Local Datetime
2012-06-21 16:28:00
Location Street Address
Broadway & 1st St
Location City Name
Nyack
Location County Name
Rockland
Location State Abbreviation
NY
Location Postal Code
10960
Location Latitude
41.090652
Location Longitude
-73.917915
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
31.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
Yes
Explode Ind
No
Incident Identified Datetime
2012-06-21 16:28:00
On Site Datetime
2012-06-21 16:28:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Public Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Crossing
Yes
Road Crossing Ind
Yes
Road Type
Uncased
Pipe Facility Type
Privately Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Pipe Diameter
12.0
Pipe Specification
Api 5l Grade B
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Other
Steel Seam Type Details
Unknown
Wt Steel
0.375
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
Contractor Cutting Pipe With A Torch Overheated Bags Causing Bag Stoppers To Fail And Ignition To Occur.
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
100000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
0.0
Est Cost Emergency
200000.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
124.0
Prpty
300124.0
Commercial Affected
80.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
305.0
Accident Psig
0.33
Normal Psig
0.33
Mop Psig
0.44
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
Yes
Scada Conf Ind
Yes
Accident Identifier
Scada-Based Information (Such As Alarm(S), Alert(S), Event(S), And/or Volume Or Pack Calculations)
Investigation Status
No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate)
Investigation Status Details
Damage to pipeline with company crews immediatly on site.
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Employees Tested
1
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Contractors Tested
3
Num Contractors Failed
0
Cause
Other Incident Cause
Cause Details
Miscellaneous
Other Type
Miscellaneous
Misc Details
Contractor Was Flame Cutting 12" Steel And Exposed 12" Bag Stoppers To Excessive Heat Causing The Bag Stoppers To Fail.
Preparer Name
J** M******
Preparer Title
Section Manager Gas Operations
Preparer Email
M*******@o**.com
Preparer Telephone
845-577-3011
Preparer Fax
845-577-3166
Authorizer Name
A****** A*******
Authorizer Title
Gm Gas Operations
Authorizer Telephone
845-577-3515
Authorizer Email
A********@o**.com
Narrative
Contractor raines & welsh (r&w) was awarded the contract to upgrade the low pressure system to high pressure gas mains and services in nyack. The work included retiring and in some cases removing the existing low pressure facilities. R&w began work on the project in september 2011. On the day of the incident r&w was retiring a section of 12 inch low pressure steel gas main on broadway at 1st street in west nyack. The 12 inch main runs north and south on broadway and had a radial 4 inch low pressure steel main coming off to the west on 1st st. R&w excavated and exposed the 12 inch and 4 inch main. The balloon stoppers were inflated to 4 psi tested for leakage and held pressure for over one hour before being used. They installed two tapping tees and four low pressure balloon stoppers into the 12 inch pipe at the locations shown on the sketch. The 4 inch main had previously been dead ended with a cap further west along 1st street and did not require any stoppers. R&w then performed a flow test to confirm that gas was being supplied to the main north and south of the isolated section. The pressure gauges on the balloon stoppers were checked to confirm that the stoppers were holding and that the section was effectively isolated. R&w cut the 12 inch pipe on the north end of the excavation with a reed 4 wheel pipe cutter. They then made two cuts with a demo saw on the 4 inch steel main, removing a 4 inch ring. R&w used an orbital cutter and torch to bevel cut the south side of the 12 inch main. The crew made a second cut and removed about a 4 inch ring at the southerly end of the 12 inch pipe. When the rings were cut r&w had sufficient clearance and the cut out section was removed from the excavation. R&w set up the orbital cutter to bevel the rough cut on the north end of the 12 inch main. The contractor's welder and crew foreman were in the excavation and began to make the bevel cut. At 16:28, when they had flame cut approximately 8 inches of the circumference, the northerly balloon stoppers failed and the leaking gas ignited. Both men exited the excavation and were not injured by the ignition or the ensuing gas fed fire. The three regulator stations supplying the affected area were turned off and the residual gas burned off. Approximately 385 gas services were interrupted. Overhead electric facilities in the area were de-energized interrupting approximately 650 services. Electric service was restored at approximately 20:40 that evening. Gas construction installed compression caps on the 12 inch open ends and a wooden plug in the dead 4 inch main. O&r service mechanics along with cecony gds crews worked around-the-clock to restore gas service to the affected customers. Gas service was fully restored at 18:00 on 6/24/12
| Occurred At | 2012-06-21 16:28:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2012 |
| Report Received Date | 2012-09-18 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2012.0 |
| Report Number | 20120077.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 15514.0 |
| Report Type | Original |
| Operator Id | 14330 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Orange & Rockland Utility Inc |
| Operator Street Address | One Blue Hill Plaza |
| Operator City Name | Pearl River |
| Operator State Abbreviation | NY |
| Operator Postal Code | 10965 |
| Local Datetime | 2012-06-21 16:28:00 |
| Location Street Address | Broadway & 1st St |
| Location City Name | Nyack |
| Location County Name | Rockland |
| Location State Abbreviation | NY |
| Location Postal Code | 10960 |
| Location Latitude | 41.090652 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -73.917915 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 31.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2012-06-21 16:28:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2012-06-21 16:28:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Public Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Crossing | Yes |
| Road Crossing Ind | Yes |
| Road Type | Uncased |
| Pipe Facility Type | Privately Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Pipe Diameter | 12.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Api 5l Grade B |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Steel Seam Type | Other |
| Steel Seam Type Details | Unknown |
| Wt Steel | 0.375 |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | Contractor Cutting Pipe With A Torch Overheated Bags Causing Bag Stoppers To Fail And Ignition To Occur. |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 100000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 200000.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 124.0 |
| Prpty | 300124.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 80.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 305.0 |
| Accident Psig | 0.33 |
| Normal Psig | 0.33 |
| Mop Psig | 0.44 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | Yes |
| Scada Conf Ind | Yes |
| Accident Identifier | Scada-Based Information (Such As Alarm(S), Alert(S), Event(S), And/or Volume Or Pack Calculations) |
| Investigation Status | No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate) |
| Investigation Status Details | Damage to pipeline with company crews immediatly on site. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Employees Tested | 1 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Contractors Tested | 3 |
| Num Contractors Failed | 0 |
| Cause | Other Incident Cause |
| Cause Details | Miscellaneous |
| Other Type | Miscellaneous |
| Misc Details | Contractor Was Flame Cutting 12" Steel And Exposed 12" Bag Stoppers To Excessive Heat Causing The Bag Stoppers To Fail. |
| Preparer Name | J** M****** |
| Preparer Title | Section Manager Gas Operations |
| Preparer Email | M*******@o**.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 845-577-3011 |
| Preparer Fax | 845-577-3166 |
| Authorizer Name | A****** A******* |
| Authorizer Title | Gm Gas Operations |
| Authorizer Telephone | 845-577-3515 |
| Authorizer Email | A********@o**.com |
| Narrative | Contractor raines & welsh (r&w) was awarded the contract to upgrade the low pressure system to high pressure gas mains and services in nyack. The work included retiring and in some cases removing the existing low pressure facilities. R&w began work on the project in september 2011. On the day of the incident r&w was retiring a section of 12 inch low pressure steel gas main on broadway at 1st street in west nyack. The 12 inch main runs north and south on broadway and had a radial 4 inch low pressure steel main coming off to the west on 1st st. R&w excavated and exposed the 12 inch and 4 inch main. The balloon stoppers were inflated to 4 psi tested for leakage and held pressure for over one hour before being used. They installed two tapping tees and four low pressure balloon stoppers into the 12 inch pipe at the locations shown on the sketch. The 4 inch main had previously been dead ended with a cap further west along 1st street and did not require any stoppers. R&w then performed a flow test to confirm that gas was being supplied to the main north and south of the isolated section. The pressure gauges on the balloon stoppers were checked to confirm that the stoppers were holding and that the section was effectively isolated. R&w cut the 12 inch pipe on the north end of the excavation with a reed 4 wheel pipe cutter. They then made two cuts with a demo saw on the 4 inch steel main, removing a 4 inch ring. R&w used an orbital cutter and torch to bevel cut the south side of the 12 inch main. The crew made a second cut and removed about a 4 inch ring at the southerly end of the 12 inch pipe. When the rings were cut r&w had sufficient clearance and the cut out section was removed from the excavation. R&w set up the orbital cutter to bevel the rough cut on the north end of the 12 inch main. The contractor's welder and crew foreman were in the excavation and began to make the bevel cut. At 16:28, when they had flame cut approximately 8 inches of the circumference, the northerly balloon stoppers failed and the leaking gas ignited. Both men exited the excavation and were not injured by the ignition or the ensuing gas fed fire. The three regulator stations supplying the affected area were turned off and the residual gas burned off. Approximately 385 gas services were interrupted. Overhead electric facilities in the area were de-energized interrupting approximately 650 services. Electric service was restored at approximately 20:40 that evening. Gas construction installed compression caps on the 12 inch open ends and a wooden plug in the dead 4 inch main. O&r service mechanics along with cecony gds crews worked around-the-clock to restore gas service to the affected customers. Gas service was fully restored at 18:00 on 6/24/12 |
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