A: The poles aren't lightning rods. They are what's known in the fire
hydrant biz as "hydrant markers." And they are called that because they, um, mark hydrants.

"Usually it's a fire department that calls us [to order markers], or the town," said Jim Robson ,
whose wife, Nancy, owns Hy-Viz Inc., the New Jersey company that made the Capitol Hill poles.

The hydrant markers in this case -- on C Street NE, Constitution Avenue NE and elsewhere -- were purchased by the
Architect of the Capitol's office. "They're simply a way of identifying the hydrants," said Eva Malecki of the architect's office.

There's a lot of construction going on around the Capitol. "Because fire hydrants are low to the ground,
sometimes if you're sitting high up in a truck you don't see them," she said.

They also help after a heavy snow, when plows can entomb hydrants under feet of the white stuff.
"With those sticking up out of the snow we're able to have ground crews unbury the hydrants
so they're always available for an emergency," said Eva.