Little General Store Propane Explosion - US Chemical Safety and ...

Little General Store September 2008
1.2 Investigative Process
The CSB investigation team arrived at the incident scene on January 31. They joined the Incident
Command structure, in accordance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), 4 and began
on-scene investigation activities. On February 2, 2007, Incident Command demobilized after the State
Fire Marshal concluded that the incident was not a criminal act. The CSB investigation team remained,
and with the help of Little General management, protected and preserved evidence, moving it to a secure
storage locker.
The team interviewed employees of the companies involved, emergency responders, and officials from
the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal; The West Virginia Division of Labor; the Raleigh
County Building Department; Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) 5 Region I; the United States
Fire Academy; the ATF; the Beckley and Beaver, West Virginia Fire Departments; the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); the
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA); and the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).
In addition, the CSB tested and examined the valve that released the propane from the Ferrellgas tank.
The test protocol included in situ examination and flow testing; removal of the liquid withdrawal valve
assembly (valve, tank nozzle, and dip tube); photography and examination of the valve and dip tube,
including removal of the dip tube; and dismantling and examination of the valve.
4
NIMS is a comprehensive approach to incident response management that provides a consistent, nationwide
template to enable all response entities to work in concert during incidents. Implementation of NIMS is required
by the US Department of Homeland Security in accordance with its authority in Homeland Security Presidential
Directive 5 “Management of Domestic Incidents.” The State Fire Marshal reestablished an incident command
system following the explosion.
5
Enacted by the West Virginia Legislature in 1972, RESA provides educational services to schools, including
technical, professional, operational, and programmatic services. In addition to school-based programs, RESA
coordinates much of West Virginia’s professional firefighter training program.
7