According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a power drop in a pipeline control system caused the gas pressure to rise right before a major transmission line ruptured to create a fiery blast in San Bruno on September 9, 2010. The geyser of fire killed 8 people, injured over 20 others, destroyed at least 53 homes, and damaged more than 120 residences. The explosion is considered one of the deadliest natural gas blasts to have ever occurred in California.
The drop in electrical power occurred while maintenance work was underway on a terminal almost 40 miles from the explosion site. This interrupted a signal to a pressure control valve on the line that ruptured. The NTSB's report goes on to discuss how the pressure rose to 386 pounds per-square-inch gauge. 375 psig is the pipeline-specified maximum operator pressure. That said, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said that the pipeline it operates had an allowable pressure of 400 psig.
According to pipeline safety experts, a pipe should have a 100% safety margin, which should allow it to withstand two times the normal operating pressure before permanent damage to the metal or even a rupture should occur. The NTSB doesn't know what caused the high-pressure line failure or whether corrosion to the pipe was a factor.
California Burn Injuries
If you sustained burn injuries or your home was destroyed because of what you believe was negligence on the part of another party, you may have grounds for an Orange County, California personal injury case. Burn injuries from a natural gas explosion can be extremely severe and painful. A burn injury victim may require painful, extensive, and costly medical care. A person that sustains any type of serious burn injury may be scarred or disfigured for life. He/she may also experience psychological and emotional trauma as a result.
New details on San Bruno blast in preliminary NTSB report, Los Angeles Times, October 13, 2010
San Bruno fire levels neighborhood - gas explosion, SFGate, September 10, 2010
Related Web Resources:
NTSB
Contact our Orange County, California injury law firm to discuss your burn injury case.
