Sir:
Regarding the comment in the The Plan "B" Map article about draining and filtering fire sprinkler systems for emergency drinking water: I’m definitely not an expert, and have only seen a few sprinkler systems purged, but the stuff coming out of those pipes is only loosely defined as “water”. The Fire Tech told me that some buildings have the original water in the fire sprinkler pipes dating back to when the system was installed, so it looks like motor oil coming out of those pipes.
My office had the sprinkler system replaced, and it looked and smelled like sewer water coming out.
Just something to keep in mind and as the writer said “…nothing else be available”! Thank you! – Ken S.