Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2021-02-03 — VA
Operator
Washington Gas Light Co
Cause
Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
3 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$272,353
Incident datetime
2021-02-03 12:30
Report number
Location
VA, FAIRFAX COUNTY
Narrative
On january 6, 2021, an odor was reported to the washington gas emergency line on hooes road in springfield, virginia and a technician was dispatched to the site. The leak was investigated, graded and aspirated. A bgo crew was dispatched the following day. The crew excavated the hole and found a small leak on a butt fusion bead on a 1988 aldyl-a 6" plastic main, operating at 55 psig. Consistent with company procedure, the crew installed a temporary straub open-flex clamp, verified that the site was safe, and referred the repair for a cut-out. On february 3, 2021, two washington gas crews were dispatched to 8530 hooes rd to complete the permanent repair by replacing the pipe segment containing the clamp. At approximately 12:22, during the process of sliding the clamp, leaking gas ignited. All employees that were transported have since been released from the hospital. Final repairs have been made. Washington gas performed laboratory testing on the failed segment of pipe. The testing found the initial leak had been caused by a failed 1988 butt fusion joint that exhibited inadequate fusion. By the visual evaluation criteria in place at the time this gas main was installed, the butt fusion would have been deemed acceptable. However, the subject butt fusion was likely not initially made with sufficient force applied to the heated pipe ends to create a full strength fusion. Additional: part e 3.B date maop established: 12/28/1988 installed was completed before 12/28/1988, exact date of pressure test unknown
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2021-02-03 12:30:00
Year
2021
Report Received Date
2021-03-05 00:00:00
Iyear
2021.0
Report Number
20210026.0
Supplemental Number
36155.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
22182
Name
Washington Gas Light Co
Operator Street Address
1000 Maine Avenue, Sw
Operator City Name
Washington
Operator State Abbreviation
DC
Operator Postal Code
20024
Local Datetime
2021-02-03 12:25:00
Time Zone
Eastern
Daylight Savings Ind
No
Location Street Address
8530 Hooes Road
Location City Name
Springfield
Location County Name
Fairfax County
Location State Abbreviation
VA
Location Postal Code
22153-1703
Location Latitude
38.75545
Location Longitude
-77.240722
Flow Cont Key Crit Ind
Yes
Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2021-02-03 14:25:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1297272
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1297426
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
800.0
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
Yes
Num Emp Injuries
3
Num Contr Injuries
0
Num Er Injuries
0
Num Worker Injuries
0
Num Gp Injuries
0
Injure
3
Ignite Ind
Yes
Ignite Datetime
2021-02-03 12:25:00
How Extinguished
Operator/contractor
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
800
Explode Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
6.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2021-02-03 12:30:00
Communication State Fed Ind
Yes
Party Initiated Communication
Operator
Initial Responder Com Datetime
2021-02-03 12:27:00
On Site Datetime
2021-02-03 12:25:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Public Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
54.0
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Privately Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
1988.0
Manufactured Year
1988.0
Pipe Diameter
6.0
Pipe Specification
Astm D2513
Pipe Manufacturer
Dupont
Material Involved
Plastic
Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Plastic Sdr
11.5
Material Pe Pipe Code
2406
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Connection Failure
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
59000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
272353.0
Est Cost Emergency
93743.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf
2.608
Est Cost Unintentional Release
2086.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
427182.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
4.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
4.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
3.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
4.0
Num Business Building Affctd
0.0
Accident Psig
53.0
Normal Psig
53.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(2)
Maop Established Date
1988-12-28 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Injection Pump
Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind
Yes
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
No
Scada Conf Ind
Yes
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Investigation Status
No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Employees Tested
7
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure
Cause Details
Fusion Joint
Pwjf Failure Type
Fusion Joint
Plastic Joint Subtype
Butt, Heat Fusion
Fpw Installed Year
1988
Fpw First Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Fpw Second Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Additional Lack Fusion Ind
Yes
Result Construction Ind
Yes
Result Construction Subtype
Poor Construction/installation Procedures
Hydrotest Conducted Ind
No
Pwf Installation Ind
Yes
Preparer Name
R****** W* F**********
Preparer Title
Supervisor Dot Pipeline Safety
Preparer Email
R*****************@w******.com
Preparer Telephone
7036397825
Local Contact Name
S****** M******
Local Contact Email
Manager Dot Pipeline Safety
Local Contact Telephone
7037505558
Authorizer Name
S****** M******
Authorizer Title
Manager Dot Pipeline Safety
Authorizer Telephone
7037505558
Authorizer Email
S*******@w******.com
Narrative
On january 6, 2021, an odor was reported to the washington gas emergency line on hooes road in springfield, virginia and a technician was dispatched to the site. The leak was investigated, graded and aspirated. A bgo crew was dispatched the following day. The crew excavated the hole and found a small leak on a butt fusion bead on a 1988 aldyl-a 6" plastic main, operating at 55 psig. Consistent with company procedure, the crew installed a temporary straub open-flex clamp, verified that the site was safe, and referred the repair for a cut-out. On february 3, 2021, two washington gas crews were dispatched to 8530 hooes rd to complete the permanent repair by replacing the pipe segment containing the clamp. At approximately 12:22, during the process of sliding the clamp, leaking gas ignited. All employees that were transported have since been released from the hospital. Final repairs have been made. Washington gas performed laboratory testing on the failed segment of pipe. The testing found the initial leak had been caused by a failed 1988 butt fusion joint that exhibited inadequate fusion. By the visual evaluation criteria in place at the time this gas main was installed, the butt fusion would have been deemed acceptable. However, the subject butt fusion was likely not initially made with sufficient force applied to the heated pipe ends to create a full strength fusion. Additional: part e 3.B date maop established: 12/28/1988 installed was completed before 12/28/1988, exact date of pressure test unknown
| Occurred At | 2021-02-03 12:30:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2021 |
| Report Received Date | 2021-03-05 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2021.0 |
| Report Number | 20210026.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 36155.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 22182 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Washington Gas Light Co |
| Operator Street Address | 1000 Maine Avenue, Sw |
| Operator City Name | Washington |
| Operator State Abbreviation | DC |
| Operator Postal Code | 20024 |
| Local Datetime | 2021-02-03 12:25:00 |
| Time Zone | Eastern |
| Daylight Savings Ind | No |
| Location Street Address | 8530 Hooes Road |
| Location City Name | Springfield |
| Location County Name | Fairfax County |
| Location State Abbreviation | VA |
| Location Postal Code | 22153-1703 |
| Location Latitude | 38.75545 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -77.240722 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Key Crit Ind | Yes |
| Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind | Yes |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2021-02-03 14:25:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1297272 NRC Report How to search |
| Additional Nrc Report Numbers | 1297426 |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 800.0 |
| Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Injuries | 3 |
| Num Contr Injuries | 0 |
| Num Er Injuries | 0 |
| Num Worker Injuries | 0 |
| Num Gp Injuries | 0 |
| Injure | 3 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Ignite Datetime | 2021-02-03 12:25:00 |
| How Extinguished | Operator/contractor |
| Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf | 800 |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 6.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2021-02-03 12:30:00 |
| Communication State Fed Ind | Yes |
| Party Initiated Communication | Operator |
| Initial Responder Com Datetime | 2021-02-03 12:27:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2021-02-03 12:25:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Public Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Depth Of Cover | 54.0 |
| Other Underground Facilities | No |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Privately Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 1988.0 |
| Manufactured Year | 1988.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 6.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Astm D2513 |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Dupont |
| Material Involved | Plastic |
| Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Plastic Sdr | 11.5 |
| Material Pe Pipe Code | 2406 |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Connection Failure |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 59000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 272353.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 93743.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 2.608 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 2086.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Prpty | 427182.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 4.0 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 4.0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 3.0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 4.0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 0.0 |
| Accident Psig | 53.0 |
| Normal Psig | 53.0 |
| Mop Psig | 60.0 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(2) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 1988-12-28 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Injection Pump |
| Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind | Yes |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | No |
| Scada Conf Ind | Yes |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Investigation Status | No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Employees Tested | 7 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure |
| Cause Details | Fusion Joint |
| Pwjf Failure Type | Fusion Joint |
| Plastic Joint Subtype | Butt, Heat Fusion |
| Fpw Installed Year | 1988 |
| Fpw First Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Fpw Second Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Additional Lack Fusion Ind | Yes |
| Result Construction Ind | Yes |
| Result Construction Subtype | Poor Construction/installation Procedures |
| Hydrotest Conducted Ind | No |
| Pwf Installation Ind | Yes |
| Preparer Name | R****** W* F********** |
| Preparer Title | Supervisor Dot Pipeline Safety |
| Preparer Email | R*****************@w******.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 7036397825 |
| Local Contact Name | S****** M****** |
| Local Contact Email | Manager Dot Pipeline Safety |
| Local Contact Telephone | 7037505558 |
| Authorizer Name | S****** M****** |
| Authorizer Title | Manager Dot Pipeline Safety |
| Authorizer Telephone | 7037505558 |
| Authorizer Email | S*******@w******.com |
| Narrative | On january 6, 2021, an odor was reported to the washington gas emergency line on hooes road in springfield, virginia and a technician was dispatched to the site. The leak was investigated, graded and aspirated. A bgo crew was dispatched the following day. The crew excavated the hole and found a small leak on a butt fusion bead on a 1988 aldyl-a 6" plastic main, operating at 55 psig. Consistent with company procedure, the crew installed a temporary straub open-flex clamp, verified that the site was safe, and referred the repair for a cut-out. On february 3, 2021, two washington gas crews were dispatched to 8530 hooes rd to complete the permanent repair by replacing the pipe segment containing the clamp. At approximately 12:22, during the process of sliding the clamp, leaking gas ignited. All employees that were transported have since been released from the hospital. Final repairs have been made. Washington gas performed laboratory testing on the failed segment of pipe. The testing found the initial leak had been caused by a failed 1988 butt fusion joint that exhibited inadequate fusion. By the visual evaluation criteria in place at the time this gas main was installed, the butt fusion would have been deemed acceptable. However, the subject butt fusion was likely not initially made with sufficient force applied to the heated pipe ends to create a full strength fusion. Additional: part e 3.B date maop established: 12/28/1988 installed was completed before 12/28/1988, exact date of pressure test unknown |
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