A little identification help...

[md5]

Had a user on youtube PM me for help on two siren identifications. First one seems like an ACA Screamer and the second one I have honestly not a clue.

Check it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cvM-L13Hpk

[SirenMadness]

Dude, I think you've just seen one of those "sewer sirens," which had a thread posted on them a few years back! I thought that we'd never hear of those again. Those sirens are basically small sirens with their intakes connected to an underground sewer. I have no idea of the purpose for such a setup. The fact that those sirens are so small probably explains the fact that they're found on almost every block in that place, though I wouldn't wanna be standing near one of those!

[Jim_Ferer]

Could you be referring to the old-fashioned street sewer vents that have a top like a chicken feeder siren? There's no siren in there; they're for the purpose of venting sewer gases so that there's no explosive gas buildup in the sewer. You see them all the time in older towns and cities.

[SirenMadness]

Hm, maybe some information must have been excluded on those things back then, or it's been too long to remember. Thanks for clearing that up, though!

[Travis]

Md-5: Yes, the first siren is an ACA Screemer.

[pyramid head]

I would have to guess it is a vent, but why is there a box on it?

[AllSafe]

The box probably has instruments in it, such as hydrogen sulfide/O2/combustible gas sensors to monitor the air quality in the sewer.

[CABLEVision]

From forgotten New York http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%20SC ... vents.html

Here's what he has to say:

THE DUGONG (OBGUN-69A)

Marinara: "In the Fifties, air raid sirens were all the rage. The Russians had acquired The Bomb and we thought we would be blasted to kingdom come just about once a lunch hour. We installed air raid sirens on every fifth lamppost. Well, hell, wouldn't it be a kick to make a combination air raid siren/ventilation shaft? Jeez, industrial design had been hip and happening since that Le Corbusier fella. Anyway, we put dozens of these puppies out there. Hey, did you have to shoot a picture of one with all that trash all over it?

FNY: Why "Dugong"?

"Well, we had this mammal theme going but the thing had fins."

Personally I think the guy is on crack, and I think It is a decorative vent. Although I can see how people can confuse it as a upside down model "A" or "D" Plus wouldn't it be a little unconventional to place one with so close proximity of each other and so low.

[Jim_Ferer]

A good example. That vent has a "chicken feeder" top for the same reason a siren has one; to keep water out while allowing access to the air. (this is also the reason it would be impossible to patent the "chicken feeder" shape).