2018 SHADE Conference Fundamentals Keys of Basic Irrigation

2018 SHADE Conference “Fundamentals (Keys) of Basic Irrigation Design”

Fundamentals of Basic Irrigation Design 1. Keys to a Successful Project 2. Key Terms Review 3. Key Concepts 4. Keys to Efficient Design 5. Spare Keys

Keys to a Successful Project 1. Design 2. Installation 3. Maintenance

Key Irrigation Terms Flow - Gallons Per Minute (GPM) Flow - Gallons Per Hour (GPH) Pressure – Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) Velocity – Feet Per Second (FPS) Friction Loss - Pressure loss as water moves through irrigation system components

Key Irrigation Terms Precipitation Rate – Inches Per Hour (PR) Matched Precipitation Rate (MPR) Head-to-Head Coverage Evapotranspiration (ET) Distribution Uniformity (DU) Static & Dynamic Water Pressure

Key Concepts A sprinkler system has to have enough water and pressure to make it work properly. Where do the water and pressure come from?

Key Concepts

Key Concepts Gravity – for each foot of elevation change, . 433 psi of pressure is gained (or lost). At the base of a 100’ water tower, how much water pressure would you have? Pressure is lost as water moves through the components of an irrigation system.

Key Concepts

Keys For Safe Flow 1. The maximum allowable loss through the meter should be less than 10 percent of the inlet pressure at the meter. 2. The maximum flow (gallons per minute) through the meter should be 75% of the maximum safe flow through the meter. 3. The velocity of the water flow (ft/s) through the service line supplying the meter should not exceed approximately 7 feet per second for metal pipe and 5 feet per second for plastic pipes. “Foundations of Landscape Irrigation Design” - IA

Key Concepts

Key Concepts Schedule 40 Mainlines Class 200 Laterals Class 200 Pipe Sizing 0 -5 GPM 1/2” 6 -10 GPM 3/4” 11 -16 GPM 1”

Key Concepts

Keys to Efficient Design Rain Bird Maxi Paw 08 nozzle. 45 in/hr at 45 psi Matched Precipitation Rate

Keys to Efficient Design

Keys to Efficient Design Matched Precipitation Rate Rotor Nozzles

Keys to Efficient Design

Keys to Efficient Design Rain Bird Maxi Paw 08 nozzle. 45 in/hr at 45 psi Rain Bird Mini Paw 07 nozzle. 38 in/hr at 45 psi Rain Bird 10 H nozzle 1. 52 in/hr at 30 psi Toro 8 H nozzle 1. 80 in/hr at 30 psi Toro 15 H nozzle 1. 77 in/hr at 30 psi Toro 12 H nozzle 1. 72 in/hr Hunter PGP 06 nozzle. 36 in/hr at 40 psi Hunter 10 A nozzle 1. 88 in/hr at 40 psi Hunter 17 A nozzle 1. 47 in/hr at 40 psi

Keys to Efficient Design Distribution Uniformity (DU) The DU is a measurement of uniformity, expressed as a percentage, comparing the driest 25% of the area to the average distribution in the area (DU low quarter). A perfectly uniform application would be represented by a DU of 100%. A less uniform application is represented by a lower percentage.

Keys to Efficient Design

Keys to Efficient Design PRS ensures optimal performance at 30 PSI Eliminates misting & fogging Reduces costly accidents and property damage Restricts water loss by 70% with damaged nozzle

Keys to Efficient Design Rain Bird 5000 Series Rotor with PRS: In-stem pressure regulation reduces inlet pressure to 45 psi Eliminates head-to-head pressure variation Eliminates misting Improves distribution uniformity

Keys to Efficient Design Hunter PRB Rotors (PGP & I 20 models available)

Keys to Efficient Design Pressure-compensating emitters

Keys to Efficient Design Most irrigation manufacturers now sell “Smart Controllers”

Spare Keys 1. Sprinklers have to have enough water and pressure to work 2. Don’t mix and match different kinds of sprinklers on a zone 3. Smart Controller on idiot sprinkler system equals idiot sprinkler system 4. Don’t exceed a velocity of 5’ per second in lateral piping 5. Use head-to-head spacing

Spare Keys 6. Use goof plugs 7. Use water tight wire connectors 8. Don’t run ½” poly more than 300’ 9. Don’t run spaghetti more than 5 -10’ 10. Use pressure compensating emitters Also not head-to-head spacing! 11. Use MPR nozzles 12. Use high efficiency nozzle