Based upon the book Rain Bird Irrigation Design Manual Landscape Irrigation Based upon the book Rain Bird Irrigation Design Manual The 12 Principals of Design

The Site Analysis Irrigation plans often done in conjunction with landscape plans Much of the “site assessment” will overlap Determine the needs – What is there to work with –

Needs of the Site Are there existing plans? Yes or No

If Yes… We can develop “working” irrigation plans from existing plans? Determine scale Determine what’s missing

No Existing Plans You Say… You might try the city or county or Perform a “site analysis” and Create a scale drawing

The Site Analysis The quest for knowledge begins – Gather site information Determine the irrigation requirements Locate and determine water supply Locate and determine electrical supply

Assessing the Site Call “Dig Alert” at 811 or go to www.call811.com They can help locate underground utilities Gas Electrical Cable and fiber Water

Assessing the Site Once DigAlert has been called – We know where the underground utilities are Including the water service! Avoid crossing over utilities when possible

Creating a Site Plan Necessary equipment for collecting site information

Creating a Site Plan Collect information at the site and . . . Develop a “not-to-scale” sketch on graph paper (or even a yellow legal pad)

Gathering the Site Info Determine the shape of the lot/area Locate structures house garage out-buildings etc. Property lines Hardscape

Measuring the Area Pick a corner and start measuring Take lots of notes along the way Take lots of photos

Locate with Measurements Utilities meters gas water electric Cable Hose bibbs Underground vaults Air conditioners

Locate with Measurements Existing plants lawn trees street trees large shrubs New plantings from landscape design Types of vegetation being used or to be used

Locate with Measurements Pools, Jacuzzis®, hot tubs, equipment, etc. Water features

Identify Soil types Sand, silt or clay? Slopes Uphill or downhill? Low spots and high spots

Identify General wind directions May affect head placement Sun and shade areas May affect watering durations

Gathering the Site Info Areas that MUST stay dry porches windows door areas walks vents equipment out-buildings (garden sheds, etc.)

Gathering Hydraulic Data Static pressure from the site (and city) Pressure gauge Use a gauge greater than 60 psi gauge

Gathering Hydraulic Data Determine the available flow 5 gallon bucket and stopwatch (60 sec. x 5 gal.) ÷ # sec. = # gal./minute Stopwatch-meter method Flow gauge Technical data tables

Gathering Hydraulic Data Water meter size and location Water service size and depth Hose bibb locations and flows City main size and depth (if possible)

Gathering Hydraulic Data If there’s a pump on site make and model voltage, wattage and amperage pressure and flow test performance curve from the manufacturer

But wait – there’s a bit more…. A couple of other things to consider What about a power source? Where is it located? Indoors or out? Is there a receptacle or will the controller be hard-wired? Are there any restrictions to that power source? e.g. time of day use or cost restrictions

The Design Process Any other special considerations Watering time restrictions Owner’s budget And then ONLY as a possibility of breaking the job up into sections to be installed over a period of time

The Scale Drawing Once we have a sketch containing dimensions of: areas structures property lines plantings We can create a scale drawing of the site

Creating a Base Plan Base plan leads to a working drawing Drawn “to scale” showing: Structures – w/ doors, windows. . . . Lot lines or perimeters Utilities – meters, bibbs, etc. Hardscape

A Design Begins to Form Equipment selection based on needs Heads and nozzles, valves, controllers, etc.

The Design Process Systematic process beginning with Head layout Lateral line layout and sizing Locate irrigation service lines and sizes Determine friction losses Locate controller and size wire Create a working drawing

Drafting Equipment Necessary equipment for creating a working drawing Pencils – wood or mechanical Leads for mechanical pencils

Drafting Equipment Sharpeners, erasers and pointers

Drafting Equipment Scales – Architect’s or Engineer’s T-squares and triangles w/clear edges

Drafting Equipment Drafting board and Vyco® cover (formerly Borco®)

Drafting Equipment Compass and beam compass

Drafting Equipment Tracing paper rolls – NOT sheets Velum paper Cad programs