QWEL CURRICULUM. Irrigation Systems

Transcription

1 QWEL CURRICULUM Irrigation Systems

2 IRRIGATION SYSTEMS OVERVIEW Water pressure Hydraulics Site information Irrigation Water requirements Application Type Location Design Components Pre-season startup and winterizing an irrigation system

3 BASIC HYDRAULICS STATIC AND DYNAMIC PRESSURE Basic hydraulics Static pressure is the pressure in a charged line and is determined using a pressure gauge when water is not running through the system Dynamic pressure is the measurement of pressure in a line as water flows through the line

4 BASIC HYDRAULICS PRESSURE AND FLOW RELATIONSHIP The larger the pipe the lower the pressure needed to deliver a given quantity (flow) of water The smaller the pipe the greater the flow loss due to friction of the pipe and fittings

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6 BASIC HYDRAULICS SLOPE OR GRADIENT Pressure (head) Increases by.433 psi/ft. of elevation change, or Decreases by.433 psi/ft. of elevation change A rough figure of.5 psi per ft. of elevation change is typical

7 SITE INFORMATION SAND, LOAM, CLAY Determine soil type by using a Soil probe Hand test Percolation test Soil lab for analysis

8 SITE INFORMATION HYDROZONES Planting groups with similar cultural and irrigation requirements Do NOT mix on the same valve: 1. Irrigation application methods 2. Sun and shade planting beds 3. North and south planting beds 4. Sloped and level areas 5. Drip irrigation with spray irrigation

9 SITE INFORMATION VALVE BY HYDROZONE Design and place irrigation valves by hydrozone Group plantings for proper microclimate and irrigation method

10 SITE INFORMATION REFLECTIVE HEAT OR LIGHT Observe the area and keep a written record of Heat or light damage Wind exposure Direction of prevailing wind

11 IRRIGATION WATER REQUIREMENT LOW-WATER USE PLANTS A well-designed and managed low-water use landscape uses only 5,000 10,000 gallons of water 1,000 sq. ft. annually QWEL

12 IRRIGATION WATER REQUIREMENTS MEDIUM-WATER USE PLANTS A well-designed and managed medium-water use landscape uses 10,000 15,000 gallons of water 1,000 sq. ft. annually

13 IRRIGATION WATER REQUIREMENT HIGH-WATER USE PLANTS To maintain a green look in Sonoma and Marin counties 22,440 gallons of water 1,000 sq. ft. turf annually

14 IRRIGATION WATER REQUIREMENT MANUFACTURERS CATALOGS Use pipe flow charts to determine correct pressure and corresponding flow through a given size pipe Use nozzle charts to determine correct sprinkler nozzle Do not mix nozzles types or brands when repairing an irrigation system

15 IRRIGATION APPLICATION METHOD OVERHEAD Rotor Spray Multi-stream rotating nozzle

16 IRRIGATION APPLICATION METHOD OVERHEAD Stream spray Micro-spray

17 IRRIGATION APPLICATION METHOD POINT SOURCE Bubbler Drip

18 IRRIGATION APPLICATION METHOD PROPER VALVE LOCATION Locate valves close to Sidewalk Areas to be irrigated The turf area surrounding the valves is poorly designed and hard to maintain. Do not hide valves under plants

19 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS WATER METER A water meter measures the amount of water used A valuable conservation tool

20 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS BACKFLOW DEVICE Ensures water quality by preventing the contamination of potable (drinking) water supply Check with local building officials for regulations about backflow prevention devices

21 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS BACKFLOW DEVICE Reduced pressure double check valve (RP) Must be inspected annually by a certified backflow inspector Check local regulations and codes for proper installation and maintenance

22 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS BACKFLOW DEVICE Double check valve Usually located in underground valve boxes Check local codes to see if this device is approved in your area Pressure vacuum breaker Old technology Not approved for any new construction in this area

23 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS BACKFLOW DEVICE Atmospheric breaker valve (ABV) Also known as an antisiphon valve Often used in conjunction with a master valve Subject to contamination by insects and debris Must not be used on irrigation lines under constant pressure

24 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS PRESSURE REGULATOR A pressure regulator regulates water pressure to improve performance of the irrigation system See How to adjust a prv (YouTube video)

25 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS SOLID STATE CONTROLLERS Controllers with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Interior mount and exterior mount available Many have non-volatile memory Have multiple programs to group irrigation valves by hydrozone Terminal Strip for valve wires Battery backup Station Module

26 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS SENSORS FOR CONTROLLERS Rain shut-off devices Interrupts 24 volt electrical signal during periods of measurable precipitation (rain, dew)

27 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS SENSORS FOR CONTROLLERS Flow sensors Monitors volume of water flowing through irrigation system piping Interrupts 24 volt electrical signal when flow exceeds maximum flow desired Used in conjunction with a master valve

28 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS SENSORS FOR CONTROLLERS A freeze and/or wind sensor interrupts 24 volt electrical signal during freezing weather or high winds.

29 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS WIRING Irrigation wiring Wiring compartment Line (110 volt) and Low (24 volt) are in separate areas of controller Transformer reduces line voltage (110v) to low voltage (24v) Group signal and common wires leading to valves with mainline Controller and valves are termination points for low voltage irrigation wiring

30 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS PVC PIPING Function White PVC pipe is used for potable water Purple pipe PVC pipe is used for non-potable water Schedule and Class Sch. 40 & 80 PVC can be used for both mainlines and lateral lines Class 200 PVC should only be used for lateral lines

31 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS MANUAL VALVES Mainline isolation valves Shut off portion of pressurized mainline

32 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS MANUAL VALVES Manifold isolation valves Shuts off irrigation water to individual irrigation manifolds

33 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS VALVE GROUP-MANIFOLD Manifold of atmospheric breaker (anti-siphon) irrigation valves

34 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS ELECTRIC REMOTE CONTROL VALVES Electric remote control

35 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS DRIP IRRIGATION VALVE Drip irrigation valve Install with drip filter and pressure regulator

36 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS IN-GROUND VALVE In-ground valve Electric remote control Locate in valve box

37 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS ABOVE GROUND ANTI-SIPHON VALVE Drawing and text courtesy of: Jess Stryker's Landscape Irrigation Installation Tutorial

38 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS SPRAY SPRINKLERS Pop-up spray sprinklers Pop up rotors

39 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS IMPACT SPRINKLERS Impact sprinkler heads

40 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS BUBBLER Point source application Bubbler on fixed riser

41 IRRIGATION COMPONENTS DRIP EMITTERS Point source application Inline drip tubing installed on above ground

42 AS-BUILT PLANS Created during the job or any time after irrigation installation and reflects the system layout as it was actually installed Design changes are recorded and highlighted to facilitate future repairs or modifications to system Maintenance contractors use these plans to record and map the irrigation system

43 PRESEASON INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE CONTROLLER CHECK-UP Proper date and time Adjust runtimes for a spring schedule Replace battery backup Activate valves

44 PRESEASON INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE FLUSH IRRIGATION SYSTEM 1. Remove end cap or farthest sprinkler head 2. Activate valve for 30 seconds or until water is clear 3. Turn off valve and replace end cap / sprinkler head 4. Clean individual sprinkler screens

45 PRESEASON INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE SYSTEM CHECK-UP 1. Activate the valve 2. Look, listen and feel - walk the station - adjust spray patterns - check for leaks, breaks and leaky valves 3. Flag troubled areas 4. Repeat with all valves 5. Fix flagged areas

46 POSTSEASON INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE WINTERIZE 1. Turn off water at main valve 2. Set auto controller to rain or off 3. Release pressure in pipes, then close 4. Drain water out of system and parts 5. Install freeze blanket on backflow device

47 IRRIGATION SYSTEMS SUMMARY Know how to determine static and dynamic water pressure Understand the effects of elevation change on an irrigation system Be familiar with water requirements of plants Understand the relationship between application devices, sensors and application rates Be familiar with irrigation system components and function Know how to perform pre-season checkups and how to winterize an irrigation system

48 IRRIGATION SYSTEMS QUESTION & ANSWER What is wrong with this picture?