Archive for April 19th, 2006

I was walking down 5th Ave when I noticed two unattended tanks of nitrogen sitting on the corner, with a cord running from the tanks into a manhole. Nobody else walking by seemed to notice or care, but I decided to call the number on the side of the tanks (212-397-2132) to find out what was going on.

What I found out was that the tanks were put there by Verizon because the steam has damaged some underground phone lines and the nitrogen is being pumped in to dry them out. I asked if there was any danger and was told no. “But what if a car was to jump the curb and run into the tanks? Would they explode?” The operator admitted that if the tanks were penetrated, then nitrogen would shoot out and anyone standing nearby would probably get frostbite. Oh. Well, that’s awesome.

I also learned that the pressure valves on top are to keep the tank from exploding. I know that as New Yorkers we are too cool to notice the random stuff that happens in the street around us, but do me a favor: if you see someone playing with these knobs, stop them.