Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Safety Recommendation Details

Safety Recommendation P-80-010
Details
Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 24, 1979, AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE DESTROYED THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE BUILDING AND THE ADJOINING COURT HOUSE BUILDING, GUTTED A CONNECTING BUILDING WHICH WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND DAMAGED THE ADJACENT HOUSES IN STANARDSVILLE, VIRGINIA. THIRTEEN PERSONS WERE INJURED AND PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY.
Recommendation: THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE COLUMBIA GAS OF VIRGINIA, INC.: CHANGE ITS OPERATING MAINTENANCE PLAN TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO COVER THE PART OF THE SERVICE LINES IDENTIFIED UNDER COMPANY POLICY AS 'CUSTOMER'S SERVICE LINES' IN THE SAME MANNER AS COMPANY-OWNED SERVICE LINES.
Original recommendation transmittal letter: PDF
Overall Status: Closed - Reconsidered
Mode: Pipeline
Location: Stanardsville, VA, United States
Is Reiterated: No
Is Hazmat: No
Is NPRM: No
Accident #: DCA80MP003
Accident Reports:
Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc., Natural Gas Explosion and Fire
Report #: PAR-80-03
Accident Date: 10/24/1979
Issue Date: 3/10/1980
Date Closed: 12/19/1980
Addressee(s) and Addressee Status: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas) (Closed--No Longer Applicable)
Keyword(s):

Safety Recommendation History
From: NTSB
To: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)
Date: 12/19/1980
Response:
From: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)
To: NTSB
Date: 9/9/1980
Response: COLUMBIA GAS OF VIRGINIA, INC. LTR: HISTORICALLY ITS HAS BEEN COLUMBIA PRACTICE TO ONLY INSTALL GAS FACILITIES UP TO THE PROPERLY LINE AND THE CUSTOMER/ OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTALLING GAS FACILITIES BEYOND THAT POINT. THIS PRACTICE IS NOT ONLY FOLLOWED BY COLUMBIA, BUT ALSO BY OTHER GAS COMPANIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. HOWEVER, COLUMBIA DOES NOT OWN THIS LINE BETWEEN THE PROPERTY LINE AND METER, COLUMBIA DOES ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SEEING THAT THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, TESTING, OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE OF THAT LINE MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF CFR, TITLE 49, PART 192. COLUMBIA PERSONNEL PROVIDED COPIES OF OUR OPERATING PROCEDURES REGARDING CUSTOMER SERVICE LINES, AT A MEETING WITH NTSB INVESTIGATORS IN COLUMBIA'S STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, OFFICE.
From: NTSB
To: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)
Date: 5/28/1980
Response:
From: NiSource, Inc. (formerly Columbia Gas)
To: NTSB
Date: 4/8/1980
Response: COLUMBIA GAS OF VIRGINIA, INC. LTR: COLUMBIA STATES THAT ITS CURRENT PROCEDURES ARE ADEQUATE AND COMPLY WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS. IT IS FURTHER STATED THAT THE GREENSHEET DID NOT SPECIFY IN WHAT RESPECT COLUMBIA POLICY IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS. COLUMBIA CLAIMS THAT THE RECOMMENDATION IS NOT APPROPRIATE.