PG&E Ignored Federal Advisory About Pipeline Coupling That Caused Home Explosion
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. says it never before had problems with the type of pipeline joint that is currently under investigation in the fatal Rancho Cordova home explosion. The leak that led to the Christmas eve blast occurred at a pipeline coupling installed in 2006. The installation was the result of a repair of a gas main beneath the front yard of the house that exploded on Paiute Way, according to the federal pipeline expert in charge of the investigation.
Karl Gunther of the National Transportation Safety Board, said he found one of the plastic pipe sections almost completely detached from the socket. Exactly how the gas moved into the home remains under investigation.
The joint is a USPoly brand MetFit mechanical coupling is known as a reliable, faster-to-install alternative to welding. Installers join two lengths of plastic pipe by compressing the ends into the grooves of a serrated steel insert. “From all indications the pipe was installed properly in 2006,” PG&E Spokesman, Brian Swanson said.
“We have no history of pipes pulling out of a MetFit coupler,” Swanson added. “We are working with NTSB to determine the reasons why the pipe was displaced.” Swanson said they have been trying since Wednesday to determine how long the utility company has used these couplings, and the extent of their use. A spokesman for JM Eagle, owner of USPoly, declined to comment, saying the company is still trying to gather information on the Rancho Cordova incident.
The explosion killed the homes’ owner, Wilbert “Bill” Paana, 72. His daughter, Kimberly Dickson, 44, remains hospitalized with critical burns, and granddaughter Sunny Dickson, 17, has been released after treatment for burns.
Investigators for the Dicksons took photographs of the unearthed leaking pipe that show a red stripe near the end of pipe found dangling from the coupler. PG&E officials said their crew made the mark in the 2006 leak repair, to show how far the end of replacement pipe should be seated inside the coupling.
Swanson also defended the utility’s handling of a federal advisory from March, 2008 that warned gas line operators of the potential for leaks at couplings. PG&E officials have said they didn’t believe the notice applied to their couplings. Most accidents involved in the advisory included wrench-tightened couplings, unlike the MetFit connections that are installed with a hydraulic press, Swanson said.
Officials with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said their advisory, an update of a 1986 warning, applies to all mechanical couplings used for natural gas pipelines. Coupling failures have caused at least 4 percent, or 148, of all serious gas leaks since 1984.
Swanson said PG&E’s recommended precautions are no different than safeguards the company has followed for years. PG&E has not always followed such protocol very strictly. The company’s Sacramento-area crews were late in repairing 12 leaks and rechecking 11 leak repairs from 2006 through 2007, though commission officials have said the violations were minor. PG&E acknowledged the concerns from previous years, but said the public was never in any danger, and that company procedures have changed to ensure more timely repairs since then.
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Posted by Michelle Ventress
on Jan 19 2009. Filed under News.
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This Is Crazy
Dont just buy into what PG&E says. They have been using this fitting since the early 70's when it was known as AMP-Fit. Ask PG&E if the fitting was tested per DOT requirements. Ask PG&E if the installers were qualified. Where are their records?
Old man, I can answer that. Yes, the fitting was tested per DOT requirements and YES, this installer in particular was qualified to make the repairs in 2006. He was and is one of the most qualified installers at PG&E and ALL of the installers/crew are qualified. The records are complete, all will be revealed at trial.
I used to work with pg&e a few years back and what Young Man has said is completely correct. From the installers, all the way through to the customer service reps, that everyone throws under the bus at any time the get, are trained to the highest standards. Everyone in this town immediately pointed the finger at PG&E when the house exploded, however, when someone calls in a gas leak, no matter where it is, they are told to vacate the area and not to turn on anything that may cause a spark. Now, if memory serves me correctly, all of the news outlets and newspapers said that the women were in a bathroom when the explosion occured. Am i mistaken? Now i can bet one of them either plugged something in or flipped a switch, causing the spark. PG&E was there working on the problem when all of this occurred. I do feel sorry for the family, however, when they were previously warned about the consequences and they did nothing to heed those warnings, how is PG&E at fault? Old Man, youre just another person who only wants to hear what they want to hear, not taking into account that there are 2 sides to every story. Its quite sad that society is like this.
In response to Joe R. : I have called PG&E out twice when I have smelled gas and they never told me to leave my house or turn anything off!!!! I just sat there waiting for them, doing normal activities. At least I only had to wait 6 hours or so!!!!!!