Table Of Content2
3
Second Edition
Pete Melby, ASLA
Professional Designer and Installer Version
Measurements in Imperial (U. S.) and Metric
4
This book is dedicated to Cindy, Mary Hannah, Jane Caroline, and my mother ... .
Acknowledgments ix
Part I Sprinkler Irrigation
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Chapter '2 Sprinkler Head Performance 2
Sprinkler Head Patterns-Selecting a Head to Fit Your Site
Chapter ,3 Locating Sprinkler Heads 5
Even Water Distribution-Sprinkler Performance-Our First Irrigation, Design-Our
Second Irrigation Design
Chapter 4 Types of Sprinkler Heads 9
Introduction-Fixed Spray Heads-Rotary Heads-Comparison of Spray and Rotary
5
Heads
Chapter ,15 Precipitation Rates 12
Precipitation Rate-Watering Time Needed Per Week-Watering Schedule-Matched
PrecipitationBalanced Precipitation
Chapter i6 Determining Geographical Areas 19
Geographical Area Water Needs-Soil Permeability Rates -Determining
Geographical AreasComparing Sprinkler Demand Flows with Available GPM
Flow
Chapter 7 Pipe Routing 34
Introduction-Pipe Installation-Pipe-Routing Considerations
Chapter i6 Sizing Irrigation Pipe 44
General Considerations-Calculating Flow and Pipe Sizes
Chapter 99 Basic Hydraulics 47
Introduction Hydraulic Terms-Applying Hydraulic Terms Further Pipe Sizing
Chapter 10 Calculating Water Supply and Pressure 61
Introduction-City Water System Components Available Static Water Pressure
Available Flow and Working Water Pressure Flow and Working Pressure Example
Chapter 11 Selecting Valves 66
Introduction Electric Systems-Hydraulic Systems Flow Controls-Angle Valve-
Globe ValveSelecting Valves-Locating Valves
Chapter 12 Sizing Wire to Electric Valves 71
Introduction Electrical Terms-Voltage and Electric Wire Electric Circuits-Wire
SizingWire Sizing for Multiple Valves-Wire Placement Techniques
Chapter 13 Surge Pressure and Water Hammer 78
6
Introduction-Surge Pressure-Calculating Surge Pressure-Step-by-Step Surge
Pressure Determination Process-Water Hammer in Lateral Lines
Chapter 14 Winterizing the Irrigation System 82
Introduction-Using an Air Compressor-Using Drain Valves
Chapter 15 Controllers 86
Controller Function-Controller Features-Types of Controllers-Water Conservation
and ControllersCentral/Satellite Control Systems-Water Conservation Management
Control Systems-Conclusion
Chapter 16 Backflow Prevention 97
Backflow of Water-How Backflow Occurs-Backflow Prevention Devices-
Installation GuidelinesConsiderations for Selecting a Backflow Preventer-
Conclusion
Chapter 17 Using Plastic Pipe 103
Introduction-Schedule-Rated Pipe-Pressure-Rated Pipe Explanation of Quality
StampPolyethylene Pipe
Chapter 18 Triangular Spacing of Sprinkler Heads 110
Introduction-Why Use Triangular Spacing?-How to Locate Heads Using Triangular
LayoutConsider Winds When Laying Out Your Sprinkler Heads-Triangular Spacing
in Freeform Lawn Areas-Triangular Spacing in Square and Rectilinear Spaces-
Triangular Spacing in Narrow Spaces
Chapter 19 Soils and Irrigation 119
Introduction-Soil Water-Holding Abilities-Ideal Soil Composition-Clay Soils-
Sandy SoilsLoam Soils-Mulching-Water Availability
Chapter 20 Pipe Loops 122
Introduction-In-Line Friction Loss-Loop Friction Loss-Unbalanced Loop Friction
Loss Calculation-Comparison of In-Line and Loop Pipe Routing-Summary
7
Chapter 21 Fittings for the Irrigation System 126
Introduction Description of Fittings
Chapter 22 Installation Details 134
Chapter 23 Irrigation Design Graphics 136
Introduction-Graphic Symbols
Chapter 24 Cost Estimating 141
Introduction-Methods of Cost Estimating
Chapter 25 Pumps for Irrigation 144
Introduction-When Are Pumps Used?-How Pumps Work-Types of Pumps-Creating
Pressure and Flow with Pumps
Chapter 26 Making Solvent-Cemented joints with PVC Pipe and Fittings 150
Introduction-PVC Joint Assembly Objective-PVC Solvent-Cemented Joint
Principles for Making Joints-Making a Solvent-Cemented joint
Chapter 27 Irrigation Specifications 154
Introduction-Contract Document-Types of Technical Specifications-Working
Drawings and Specifications-Conclusion
Chapter 28 As-Built Drawings 156
Introduction-Why Changes Occur-Example of an As-Built Drawing
Chapter 29 Athletic Field Irrigation Design 158
Introduction-Circuiting Heads-Athletic Field Design
Part II Drip Irrigation
Chapter 30 Getting Acquainted with Drip Irrigation 162
8
Introduction Evolution of Drip Irrigation Emitters Drip System Spray
HeadsSubsurface Drip Example of a Drip Design
Chapter 31 Specific Drip Design Considerations 170
Soils and Emitter Location Plant Water Needs
Chapter 32 Drip Tube and Emitter Layout 182
Introduction Drip Tube Placement Emitter Placement Emitters and the Root
ZoneEmitter Location Schemes-Salt Buildup and Emitter Placement
Chapter 33 Determining Pressure and Available Flow 188
Introduction-Pressure and Flow Determination Further Pressure ReductionEmitter
Pressure Variation and Flow Changes-Calculating Total System Pressure
Chapter 34 Drip Design Components 196
Chapter 3.5 Drip Design Process 198
Introduction-Four-Step Process
Chapter 36 Final Drip Design Considerations 200
Chapter 3;7 Conserving Water 202
Introduction-Sustainability
Appendix I Pipe Friction Loss Charts 206
Appendix III Irrigation Installation Specifications 219
Appendix III Using the Metric System 224
Suggested Readings 227
Index 228
9
This is definitely a "we" book. Many generous and kind people contributed to the
creation of this irrigation design learning tool. David Davis and Terry Little, with
the Rain Bird Company, began it all by preaching their exciting irrigation design
gospel to my students in 1979. At about the same time, the Green Industry began
clamoring for landscape architecture and landscape contracting graduates with
irrigation knowledge.
Sam Roach and Bill Perry, with the Toro Company, contributed to the field of
irrigation design for nearly a decade through conducting effective irrigation design
and construction seminars. Rain Bird's Dave Wheeler, Bob Scott, and Dan Pope
have generously shared their knowledge as well.
As interest about irrigation design grew, both in the classroom and among
practicing professionals, there arose a need for a resource that could impart the
principles of irrigation design in a clear and easy-to-comprehend manner. This
book evolved to fit that need.
Sam Roach, formerly of Toro, is one of the visionaries who saw the need for a
simplified irrigation design manual. In his usual excitable manner, Sam supported
the development of the book, both with his knowledge and his company's support.
Bill Perry, a traveling civil engineer and Toro distributor, shared his great breadth
of irrigation knowledge (and funny stories), which helped to establish rock
foundation on which this book was built.
I suppose any technical book is a compilation of the knowledge and experiences
of many people. In talking with Bill Speelman and Ken Kline at the Toro Company,
I found they knew the answers to all the questions. It was amazing to meet and
interview these gentlemen. Dori Fisher introduced me to the experts at Toro, and
Linda Carroll assisted in supplying our graphic needs. Ann Hoch at Rain Bird and
Michael Boswell at Hardie Irrigation generously supplied graphics for the book as
well.
Many irrigation designers and contractors were interviewed to help make this a
very practical book. Dr.
Euel Coats, Denny Phillips, Rob Rice, and William Leathers were generous in
sharing their experiences. Charles Scoggins, Terrel Buckelew, and Jerry Odom
were always gracious about sharing their construction knowledge.
10
