Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2014-01-30 — PA
Operator
Philadelphia Gas Works
Cause
Natural Force Damage
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
1 injury
Property damage (nominal)
$268,914
Incident datetime
2014-01-30 17:21
Report number
Location
PA, PHILADELPHIA
Narrative
On thursday, january 30, 2014 at 17:21, pgw received an inside leak call from a customer through pgw's call center with a heading of 1845 s. Bancroft street. An fsd technician was dispatched to investigate this leak. He arrived on location at 17:29 and began his investigation. A reading of 70% lel at the front foundation wall to 1845 s. Bancroft was reported by the technician to the fsd dispatcher. Based on this report, a distribution crew was dispatched at 18:10. Fsd and distribution supervision were also dispatched to the location. The crew arrived on location at 18:24 and immediately began their investigation. During the course of the investigation and while the distribution foreman and the fsd technician were inside the property at 1849 s. Bancroft checking for gas readings, an explosion took place at approximately 19:05 inside 1849 s. Bancroft. The explosion severely damaged the two residential buildings at 1849 and 1847 s. Bancroft. It also injured both pgw employees who were inside the house, as well as one homeowner. The injuries sustained by all three individuals were non-life threatening. Both the distribution foreman and homeowner were taken to a local hospital for treatment and released on the same day while the fsd technician was admitted with burns to his neck and lower torso. The explosion at the scene was observed by a fsd supervisor who had just arrived on the scene at 19:05. Philadelphia fire department, philadelphia police department and peco energy were called in for assistance, in addition to various pgw resources such as, distribution crews, fsd technicians, mobile equipment, grease truck, supervisory personnel, chemical services, etc. The papuc was also notified of the incident. The gas main in the east footway in front of 1849 s. Bancroft (4" 1939 low pressure cast iron main) was greased off through a plastic service to 1843 s. Bancroft at 19:51 and the leak consequently was made safe. As a result of the greasing off, a total of four (4) properties were temporarily out of gas. Peco also shut off the electric power to 1849 s. Bancroft at 21:00. After making the job safe and receiving the go ahead from pfd, pgw personnel on the scene continued with the investigation. Every building on the 1800 block of s. Bancroft was checked for gas readings. Also, the 4" cast iron main on the block along with all active gas services were bar holed in order to check for any possible leaks. During this block check the crew picked up lel readings in front of 1835 and 1816/1818. A broken main was eventually found and repaired in front of 1818 and a total of six (6) services on the block were renewed with plastic. The greased 4" main was also cut and capped at 03:45. This portion of the 4" main that was cut and capped (100') was air tested at 6" wc and the test failed. This section of the main was then excavated completely and a broken main was found in front of 1849. An 8' section of the pipe, containing the broken main, was cut and removed from the excavation, tagged as evidence and transported to the pgw evidence room on 1/31/2014. It is believed frost heave was the cause of the broken main, fourteen inches of frost was measured at this location. The services to 1845 and 1847 (both 1 1/4" unprotected steel services) were also air tested and failed. After the investigation was completed, the gas service was restored to the properties that were shut off during the grease off process. The building at 1849 was demolished on 2/1/2014. Pgw subsequently replaced the 4" cast iron main. Analysis of the incident pipe showed that it never completely fractured circumferentially and the crack was considered tight with no large gap between the mating surfaces. The cast iron main exhibited graphitization but the integrity of the pipe would have persisted if left undisturbed and not under loading conditions. The loading conditions are believed to be caused by the effects of 14 inches of frost.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2014-01-30 17:21:00
Year
2014
Report Received Date
2014-02-27 00:00:00
Iyear
2014.0
Report Number
20140014.0
Supplemental Number
30457.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
15469
Name
Philadelphia Gas Works
Operator Street Address
800 W. Montgomery Avenue
Operator City Name
Philadelphia
Operator State Abbreviation
PA
Operator Postal Code
19122
Local Datetime
2014-01-30 19:05:00
Location Street Address
1849 S.s Bancroft Street
Location City Name
Philadelphia
Location County Name
Philadelphia
Location State Abbreviation
PA
Location Postal Code
19145-2206
Location Latitude
39.92752
Location Longitude
-75.17276
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2014-01-30 20:45:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1072563
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
5229.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
Yes
Num Emp Injuries
1
Num Contr Injuries
0
Num Er Injuries
0
Num Worker Injuries
0
Num Gp Injuries
0
Injure
1
Ignite Ind
Yes
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
0.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2014-01-30 17:21:00
On Site Datetime
2014-01-30 17:29:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Pavement
Depth Of Cover
36.0
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Municipally Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
1939.0
Pipe Diameter
4.0
Pipe Specification
Asa A21.2
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Cast/wrought Iron
Release Type
Rupture
Rupture Orient
Circumferential
Rupture Length
4
Rupture Width
0.1
Class Location Type
Class 4 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
65300.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
268914.0
Est Cost Emergency
41302.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
24.0
Prpty
375540.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
2.0
Accident Psig
0.25
Normal Psig
0.25
Mop Psig
0.5
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
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
Low pressure system not under the control of control room
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Employees Tested
5
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Natural Force Damage
Cause Details
Temperature
Natural Force Type
Temperature
Temperature Subtype
Frost Heave
Nf Extreme Weather Ind
No
Preparer Name
R****** W****
Preparer Title
Director Field Operations
Preparer Email
R************@p******.com
Preparer Telephone
215-684-6033
Preparer Fax
215-684-6388
Authorizer Name
J***** H********
Authorizer Title
Vice President Field Operations
Authorizer Telephone
215-684-6342
Authorizer Email
J***************@p******.com
Narrative
On thursday, january 30, 2014 at 17:21, pgw received an inside leak call from a customer through pgw's call center with a heading of 1845 s. Bancroft street. An fsd technician was dispatched to investigate this leak. He arrived on location at 17:29 and began his investigation. A reading of 70% lel at the front foundation wall to 1845 s. Bancroft was reported by the technician to the fsd dispatcher. Based on this report, a distribution crew was dispatched at 18:10. Fsd and distribution supervision were also dispatched to the location. The crew arrived on location at 18:24 and immediately began their investigation. During the course of the investigation and while the distribution foreman and the fsd technician were inside the property at 1849 s. Bancroft checking for gas readings, an explosion took place at approximately 19:05 inside 1849 s. Bancroft. The explosion severely damaged the two residential buildings at 1849 and 1847 s. Bancroft. It also injured both pgw employees who were inside the house, as well as one homeowner. The injuries sustained by all three individuals were non-life threatening. Both the distribution foreman and homeowner were taken to a local hospital for treatment and released on the same day while the fsd technician was admitted with burns to his neck and lower torso. The explosion at the scene was observed by a fsd supervisor who had just arrived on the scene at 19:05. Philadelphia fire department, philadelphia police department and peco energy were called in for assistance, in addition to various pgw resources such as, distribution crews, fsd technicians, mobile equipment, grease truck, supervisory personnel, chemical services, etc. The papuc was also notified of the incident. The gas main in the east footway in front of 1849 s. Bancroft (4" 1939 low pressure cast iron main) was greased off through a plastic service to 1843 s. Bancroft at 19:51 and the leak consequently was made safe. As a result of the greasing off, a total of four (4) properties were temporarily out of gas. Peco also shut off the electric power to 1849 s. Bancroft at 21:00. After making the job safe and receiving the go ahead from pfd, pgw personnel on the scene continued with the investigation. Every building on the 1800 block of s. Bancroft was checked for gas readings. Also, the 4" cast iron main on the block along with all active gas services were bar holed in order to check for any possible leaks. During this block check the crew picked up lel readings in front of 1835 and 1816/1818. A broken main was eventually found and repaired in front of 1818 and a total of six (6) services on the block were renewed with plastic. The greased 4" main was also cut and capped at 03:45. This portion of the 4" main that was cut and capped (100') was air tested at 6" wc and the test failed. This section of the main was then excavated completely and a broken main was found in front of 1849. An 8' section of the pipe, containing the broken main, was cut and removed from the excavation, tagged as evidence and transported to the pgw evidence room on 1/31/2014. It is believed frost heave was the cause of the broken main, fourteen inches of frost was measured at this location. The services to 1845 and 1847 (both 1 1/4" unprotected steel services) were also air tested and failed. After the investigation was completed, the gas service was restored to the properties that were shut off during the grease off process. The building at 1849 was demolished on 2/1/2014. Pgw subsequently replaced the 4" cast iron main. Analysis of the incident pipe showed that it never completely fractured circumferentially and the crack was considered tight with no large gap between the mating surfaces. The cast iron main exhibited graphitization but the integrity of the pipe would have persisted if left undisturbed and not under loading conditions. The loading conditions are believed to be caused by the effects of 14 inches of frost.
| Occurred At | 2014-01-30 17:21:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2014 |
| Report Received Date | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2014.0 |
| Report Number | 20140014.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 30457.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 15469 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Philadelphia Gas Works |
| Operator Street Address | 800 W. Montgomery Avenue |
| Operator City Name | Philadelphia |
| Operator State Abbreviation | PA |
| Operator Postal Code | 19122 |
| Local Datetime | 2014-01-30 19:05:00 |
| Location Street Address | 1849 S.s Bancroft Street |
| Location City Name | Philadelphia |
| Location County Name | Philadelphia |
| Location State Abbreviation | PA |
| Location Postal Code | 19145-2206 |
| Location Latitude | 39.92752 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -75.17276 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2014-01-30 20:45:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1072563 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 5229.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Injuries | 1 |
| Num Contr Injuries | 0 |
| Num Er Injuries | 0 |
| Num Worker Injuries | 0 |
| Num Gp Injuries | 0 |
| Injure | 1 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2014-01-30 17:21:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2014-01-30 17:29:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Pavement |
| Depth Of Cover | 36.0 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Municipally Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 1939.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 4.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Asa A21.2 |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Cast/wrought Iron |
| Release Type | Rupture |
| Rupture Orient | Circumferential |
| Rupture Length | 4 |
| Rupture Width | 0.1 |
| Class Location Type | Class 4 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 65300.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 268914.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 41302.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 24.0 |
| Prpty | 375540.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 2.0 |
| Accident Psig | 0.25 |
| Normal Psig | 0.25 |
| Mop Psig | 0.5 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| 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 | Low pressure system not under the control of control room |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Employees Tested | 5 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Natural Force Damage |
| Cause Details | Temperature |
| Natural Force Type | Temperature |
| Temperature Subtype | Frost Heave |
| Nf Extreme Weather Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | R****** W**** |
| Preparer Title | Director Field Operations |
| Preparer Email | R************@p******.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 215-684-6033 |
| Preparer Fax | 215-684-6388 |
| Authorizer Name | J***** H******** |
| Authorizer Title | Vice President Field Operations |
| Authorizer Telephone | 215-684-6342 |
| Authorizer Email | J***************@p******.com |
| Narrative | On thursday, january 30, 2014 at 17:21, pgw received an inside leak call from a customer through pgw's call center with a heading of 1845 s. Bancroft street. An fsd technician was dispatched to investigate this leak. He arrived on location at 17:29 and began his investigation. A reading of 70% lel at the front foundation wall to 1845 s. Bancroft was reported by the technician to the fsd dispatcher. Based on this report, a distribution crew was dispatched at 18:10. Fsd and distribution supervision were also dispatched to the location. The crew arrived on location at 18:24 and immediately began their investigation. During the course of the investigation and while the distribution foreman and the fsd technician were inside the property at 1849 s. Bancroft checking for gas readings, an explosion took place at approximately 19:05 inside 1849 s. Bancroft. The explosion severely damaged the two residential buildings at 1849 and 1847 s. Bancroft. It also injured both pgw employees who were inside the house, as well as one homeowner. The injuries sustained by all three individuals were non-life threatening. Both the distribution foreman and homeowner were taken to a local hospital for treatment and released on the same day while the fsd technician was admitted with burns to his neck and lower torso. The explosion at the scene was observed by a fsd supervisor who had just arrived on the scene at 19:05. Philadelphia fire department, philadelphia police department and peco energy were called in for assistance, in addition to various pgw resources such as, distribution crews, fsd technicians, mobile equipment, grease truck, supervisory personnel, chemical services, etc. The papuc was also notified of the incident. The gas main in the east footway in front of 1849 s. Bancroft (4" 1939 low pressure cast iron main) was greased off through a plastic service to 1843 s. Bancroft at 19:51 and the leak consequently was made safe. As a result of the greasing off, a total of four (4) properties were temporarily out of gas. Peco also shut off the electric power to 1849 s. Bancroft at 21:00. After making the job safe and receiving the go ahead from pfd, pgw personnel on the scene continued with the investigation. Every building on the 1800 block of s. Bancroft was checked for gas readings. Also, the 4" cast iron main on the block along with all active gas services were bar holed in order to check for any possible leaks. During this block check the crew picked up lel readings in front of 1835 and 1816/1818. A broken main was eventually found and repaired in front of 1818 and a total of six (6) services on the block were renewed with plastic. The greased 4" main was also cut and capped at 03:45. This portion of the 4" main that was cut and capped (100') was air tested at 6" wc and the test failed. This section of the main was then excavated completely and a broken main was found in front of 1849. An 8' section of the pipe, containing the broken main, was cut and removed from the excavation, tagged as evidence and transported to the pgw evidence room on 1/31/2014. It is believed frost heave was the cause of the broken main, fourteen inches of frost was measured at this location. The services to 1845 and 1847 (both 1 1/4" unprotected steel services) were also air tested and failed. After the investigation was completed, the gas service was restored to the properties that were shut off during the grease off process. The building at 1849 was demolished on 2/1/2014. Pgw subsequently replaced the 4" cast iron main. Analysis of the incident pipe showed that it never completely fractured circumferentially and the crack was considered tight with no large gap between the mating surfaces. The cast iron main exhibited graphitization but the integrity of the pipe would have persisted if left undisturbed and not under loading conditions. The loading conditions are believed to be caused by the effects of 14 inches of frost. |
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