Action
Notice; issuance of advisory bulletin on brittle-like failures of plastic pipe to owners and operators of natural gas distribution systems.
Summary
RSPA is issuing this advisory bulletin to owners and operators of natural gas distribution systems to inform them of the potential vulnerability of older plastic gas distribution pipe to brittle-like cracking. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently issued a Special Investigation Report (NTSB/SIR-98/01), Brittle-like Cracking in Plastic Pipe for Gas Service, that described how plastic pipe installed in natural gas distribution systems from the 1960s through the early 1980s may be vulnerable to brittle-like cracking resulting in gas leakage and potential hazards to the public and property. RSPA has also issued an additional advisory bulletin (ADB-99- 01) reminding natural gas distribution system operators of the potential poor resistance to brittle-like cracking of certain polyethylene pipe manufactured by Century Utility Products, Inc.