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I have no idea what this pipe I saw in the University district is for (first to figure it out and comment about it has my curiosity's undiying gratude); but, it caught my interest because it features my great grandmother's maiden name, a significant year for me, and says "Open," which gave me a major earworm I'd like to pass on to you. Click Here to Take a listen if button below doesn't work :-) 
12 comments:
That pipe is called a Sprinkler valve control.
It controls the water supply to the fire sprinklers to the structure you were near.
These valves are closed when a sprinkler head is broken or when there is a fire to minimize water damage.
The open position means that their is water ready to be distributed to the structure in a fire incident.
As you turn the top of the valve with a wrench the open sign in the window changes to close meaning their is no longer fire protection and 99.99 valves are always locked with a pad lock.
Love your site....as I am also a photographer.
I am also a firefighter...which is for the explanation.
Very nice detailed photo. I love the unspectacular and discreet "moment". Thanks to the anonymous firefighter for the interesting explanation; I thought about gas at first...
Oh, I just love everything about this post, Kim. The photograph is completely satisfying, the response of the firefighter so illuminating, and 'Open" playing as I type this. Truly could we ask for anything more from CDP?
Kim,
It is a wonderful post, with the photo, the music and the fireman's comment all working together.
Love the color and detail you captured here. Very nice!!
It's an indicator post... basically an extension handle attached to an underground valve that includes an indicator showing open and closed.
www.muellercompany.com/files/12111.pdf
The pdf shows the operation, installation and technical data.
Kim, isn't it great the way we can get information from our readers that illuminates our questions? Nicely done ...
Are we on for Thursday AM at Local Color?
Every now and then I run across a 'mystic' sign that speaks (only) to me.... This is cool, and I was intrigued by the photo and the comments.
I want to say that I just love your blog and photos.
P.S...I have no idea what that is :)
Seeing this in the portal I thought Seattle suddenly had a London mail box! A fascinating post and as Chuck says, all the answers are in the comments. How lovely to be walking along and suddenly see your great grandmother's maiden name.
Thanks so much for the reminder for Eric's big day tomorrow and also for suggesting the great idea and getting us all going.
Thank you so much for the explanation, Anon; and, thanks Chris for furthering our understanding with the link. We all enjoyed hearing about what we were looking at, so thank you for taking the time to fill in the details for us!
And thanks to everyone for your very kind comments and for visiting!
-Kim
Friends, This is NOT the tribute photo for PDP's 5th anniversary/Tenin Perspective Theme day post. The theme day portal picked this up of it's own accord (probably because of the reminder about the Bog Day). Please see the post for March 11th.
-Kim
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