PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
(UI) — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a safety advisory urging natural gas distribution operators to address heat-related risks associated with older plastic piping, particularly systems containing Aldyl A polyethylene.
The advisory follows a 2023 explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, that killed seven people and injured 10 others. Investigators determined that natural gas leaked from a degraded Aldyl A pipeline, with the incident worsened by a damaged steam pipe and elevated ground temperatures.
According to findings by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Aldyl A pipe materials are more susceptible to accelerated degradation and failure when exposed to higher temperatures. The NTSB recommended that operators replace or remediate any remaining Aldyl A components still in service.
PHMSA’s advisory highlights Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) requirements and calls on operators to take additional steps, including completing a one-time inventory of plastic pipeline assets located in areas with elevated temperatures. Operators are also advised to conduct ongoing monitoring during construction and maintenance activities to identify potential heat-related threats.
PHMSA emphasized that advisory bulletins serve as guidance and do not impose new regulatory requirements. The safety advisory has been published in the Federal Register.
Related News
From Archive
- Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty, dozens of violations
- OSHA investigates fatal trench collapse at Conroe construction site
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Texas811 launches real-time excavation detection to prevent utility strikes
- Fiber drilling strike triggers major sewer failure, lawsuits in Florida
- Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty, dozens of violations
- Texas811 launches real-time excavation detection to prevent utility strikes
- Race Communications breaks ground on Bakersfield fiber network
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process
Comments