def replace_repetitive_column_names(column_name, buildings):
    """
    Returns column_name _unless_ it's one of a few special cases (building names, PIPE names, NODE names, srf names)
    :param str column_name: the name of the column
    :return: column_name or similar (for repetitive column names)
    """
    if column_name.startswith('srf'):
        column_name = "srf0"
    if column_name.startswith('PIPE'):
        column_name = "PIPE0"
    if column_name.startswith('NODE'):
        column_name = "NODE0"
    if column_name in buildings:
        column_name = buildings[0]
    return column_name