Texas Irrigator Exam
A properly designed irrigation system can:
a. save water, time, and money
b. save installation time
c. cost more
d. last longer - answer a. save water, time, and money
Basic irrigation dates back:
a. hundreds of years
b. since Rain Bird was founded
c. thousands of years
d. seventy-five years - answerc. thousands of years
The impact sprinkler head was introduced by Rain Bird in:
a. 1933
b. 1985
c. 1890
d. 1910 - answera. 1933
Landscape irrigation, as we know it, has been around since:
a. the 1930's
b. since the development of PVC pipe
c. the beginning of time
d. the turn of the 20th century - answerd. the turn of the 20th century
The issue of top priority in irrigation today is:
a. how to sell more systems in our present economy
b. new technology in back flow protection
c. water conservation
d. city and state regulations on licensing - answerc. water conservation
The shortage of water is a result of:
a. water being a fixed resource
b. a decrease in the population
c. a decrease in water usage per person
d. larger sprinkler heads - answera. water being a fixed resource
Possible solutions to the scarcity of water include:
a. allowing only rock and desert landscapes
b. watering only once a week
c. promoting Xeriscaping
,d. limiting irrigation systems to commercial properties only - answerc. promoting
Xeriscaping
Which is not a possible solution for the scarcity of water?:
a. Xeriscaping
b. efficient landscape irrigation
c. construction of more dams
d. use of recycled water - answerc. construction of more dams
One of the seven basic landscaping principles of Xeriscaping is:
a. larger turf areas
b. only rock landscapes
c. soil removal
d. mulching - answerd. mulching
Efficient irrigation is geared more directly toward:
a. manufactures, irrigation contractors, homeowners, and proper education
b. federal government
c. city government
d. state government - answera. manufactures, irrigation contractors, homeowners, and
proper education
Manufactures can impact water conservation by producing:
a. products at a lower cost
b. better low-volume irrigation products
c. sizing components properly
d. more efficient irrigation scheduling - answerb. better low-volume irrigation products
Which of the following is not a basic principle of Xeriscaping:
a. mulching
b. efficient irrigation
c. sizing components
d. proper maintenance - answerc. sizing components
Pressure compensating devices help save water because they:
a. keep the water pressure high enough for good coverage
b. compensate for the lack of a good decision
c. help eliminate misting or fogging at the sprinkler heads
d. allow for fewer heads, thus less water used - answerc. help eliminate misting or
fogging at the sprinkler heads
For irrigation contractors, water conservation starts with:
a. the proper back flow device
b. a great design
c. a good maintenance contract
d. the city irrigation regulations - answerb. a great design
,The proper watering time is early morning because:
a. homeowners will not get water when leaving the house
b. the city inspectors will not see your system run longer than allowed
c. sprinkler patters are generally less distorted from the wind
d. most homeowners don't want to see the water running - answerc. sprinkler patterns
are generally less distorted from the wind
The art and management of applying water to the landscape to encourage the growth of
plant material and support water conservation is:
a. landscape irrigation
b. an irrigation system
c. an irrigation design
d. good for business and the environment - answera. landscape irrigation
the rate (or speed) at which soil will accept water. The speed at which water can
penetrate or infiltrate the soil. Also called percolation or infiltration rate. As the soil
"capacity" is reached, the absorption rate will decrease. It is affected by soil type, slope,
run-off, etc. Different soil types absorb water at a different rate. - answerabsorption rate
the depth of soil in which a plant extracts most of the water it needs for
evapotranspiration - answeractive root zone
The operating pressure measured at the base of a sprinkler head. Actual head pressure
is calculated by deducting total pressure losses from the static water pressure. ---- has
to be equal to, or greater than, the minimum head pressure, for a given sprinkler head
to function correctly - answerActual head pressure
An approved ---- is the unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between
the lowest pint of water supply outlet and the flood level rim of the fixture or assembly
into which the outlet discharges. There vertical, physical separations must be at least
twice the diameter of the water supply outlet, but never less than 1 in. - answerAir Gap
Small device used on some subsurface drop irrigation that allows air into the dripperline
when the system is not running which eliminates any vacuum that could result in debris
or contaminants being sucked into the piping system - answerAir/Vacuum Relief Valve
The amount of water, in irrigation management, that is allowed to be depleted from the
plant available water before an irrigation event is scheduled. Also referred to as
Managed Allowable Depletion (MAD). Generally, 50% depletion is the rule of thumb -
answerAllowable Depletion (AD)
An electric current that reverses it direction periodically - answerAlternating Current
(AC)
, Any device that introduces air into the system to prevent "back siphonage." -
answerAnti-Siphon Device
Rate at which water is applied by sprinkler heads in a certain pattern. Usually measured
in inches per hour, gallons per hour or gallons per day. Commonly called "precipitation
rate". - answerApplication rate
What are the three methods in which to evaluate application rates? - answer1. a
densogram
2. Precipitation rate formula
96.3 x total GPM / total area
3. a water audit
An underground layer or porous rock, sand, etc. containing water, into which wells can
be sunk - answerAquifer
The surface area of the landscape to which a sprinkler head will provide water. Usually
described in degrees or part of a full circle head. The degrees of coverage of a sprinkler
from one side of a pattern to the other. - answerArc
Scale expressing foot measurements in parts of an inch - answerArchitect Scale
A corrected or redrawn plan showing the "actual scaled" location of all major
components of the system and other information the property owner might require. An
---- is an individual tool form irrigators to locate major components at a later date -
answerAs-Built Plan
A back flow prevention device that allows air into the piping system, with the use of a
float that moves up and down, to prevent backsiphonage. No back pressure can exist
for proper operation. It cannot be under constant pressure for more than 12 hours in any
24- hour period. This device must be installed vertically and a minimum of 6' higher than
all down stream piping and the highest downstream head or outlet. There cannot be any
shut off valves downstream of the ---. A separate --- must be installed on the discharge
side of each control valve, between the valve and all emission devices. -
answerAtmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
An electrical or hydraulic control valve in a sprinkler system which is activated by an
automatic controller. Also called a section valve, circuit valve, zone valve, remote
control valve, electrical valve, or hydraulic valve - answerAutomatic Control Valve
An irrigation system which will automatically cycle (water) according to a preset program
- answerAutomatic System
Water (measured in inch of water per inch of soil) that is actually accessible for the plant
to use - answerAvailable Water
A properly designed irrigation system can:
a. save water, time, and money
b. save installation time
c. cost more
d. last longer - answer a. save water, time, and money
Basic irrigation dates back:
a. hundreds of years
b. since Rain Bird was founded
c. thousands of years
d. seventy-five years - answerc. thousands of years
The impact sprinkler head was introduced by Rain Bird in:
a. 1933
b. 1985
c. 1890
d. 1910 - answera. 1933
Landscape irrigation, as we know it, has been around since:
a. the 1930's
b. since the development of PVC pipe
c. the beginning of time
d. the turn of the 20th century - answerd. the turn of the 20th century
The issue of top priority in irrigation today is:
a. how to sell more systems in our present economy
b. new technology in back flow protection
c. water conservation
d. city and state regulations on licensing - answerc. water conservation
The shortage of water is a result of:
a. water being a fixed resource
b. a decrease in the population
c. a decrease in water usage per person
d. larger sprinkler heads - answera. water being a fixed resource
Possible solutions to the scarcity of water include:
a. allowing only rock and desert landscapes
b. watering only once a week
c. promoting Xeriscaping
,d. limiting irrigation systems to commercial properties only - answerc. promoting
Xeriscaping
Which is not a possible solution for the scarcity of water?:
a. Xeriscaping
b. efficient landscape irrigation
c. construction of more dams
d. use of recycled water - answerc. construction of more dams
One of the seven basic landscaping principles of Xeriscaping is:
a. larger turf areas
b. only rock landscapes
c. soil removal
d. mulching - answerd. mulching
Efficient irrigation is geared more directly toward:
a. manufactures, irrigation contractors, homeowners, and proper education
b. federal government
c. city government
d. state government - answera. manufactures, irrigation contractors, homeowners, and
proper education
Manufactures can impact water conservation by producing:
a. products at a lower cost
b. better low-volume irrigation products
c. sizing components properly
d. more efficient irrigation scheduling - answerb. better low-volume irrigation products
Which of the following is not a basic principle of Xeriscaping:
a. mulching
b. efficient irrigation
c. sizing components
d. proper maintenance - answerc. sizing components
Pressure compensating devices help save water because they:
a. keep the water pressure high enough for good coverage
b. compensate for the lack of a good decision
c. help eliminate misting or fogging at the sprinkler heads
d. allow for fewer heads, thus less water used - answerc. help eliminate misting or
fogging at the sprinkler heads
For irrigation contractors, water conservation starts with:
a. the proper back flow device
b. a great design
c. a good maintenance contract
d. the city irrigation regulations - answerb. a great design
,The proper watering time is early morning because:
a. homeowners will not get water when leaving the house
b. the city inspectors will not see your system run longer than allowed
c. sprinkler patters are generally less distorted from the wind
d. most homeowners don't want to see the water running - answerc. sprinkler patterns
are generally less distorted from the wind
The art and management of applying water to the landscape to encourage the growth of
plant material and support water conservation is:
a. landscape irrigation
b. an irrigation system
c. an irrigation design
d. good for business and the environment - answera. landscape irrigation
the rate (or speed) at which soil will accept water. The speed at which water can
penetrate or infiltrate the soil. Also called percolation or infiltration rate. As the soil
"capacity" is reached, the absorption rate will decrease. It is affected by soil type, slope,
run-off, etc. Different soil types absorb water at a different rate. - answerabsorption rate
the depth of soil in which a plant extracts most of the water it needs for
evapotranspiration - answeractive root zone
The operating pressure measured at the base of a sprinkler head. Actual head pressure
is calculated by deducting total pressure losses from the static water pressure. ---- has
to be equal to, or greater than, the minimum head pressure, for a given sprinkler head
to function correctly - answerActual head pressure
An approved ---- is the unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between
the lowest pint of water supply outlet and the flood level rim of the fixture or assembly
into which the outlet discharges. There vertical, physical separations must be at least
twice the diameter of the water supply outlet, but never less than 1 in. - answerAir Gap
Small device used on some subsurface drop irrigation that allows air into the dripperline
when the system is not running which eliminates any vacuum that could result in debris
or contaminants being sucked into the piping system - answerAir/Vacuum Relief Valve
The amount of water, in irrigation management, that is allowed to be depleted from the
plant available water before an irrigation event is scheduled. Also referred to as
Managed Allowable Depletion (MAD). Generally, 50% depletion is the rule of thumb -
answerAllowable Depletion (AD)
An electric current that reverses it direction periodically - answerAlternating Current
(AC)
, Any device that introduces air into the system to prevent "back siphonage." -
answerAnti-Siphon Device
Rate at which water is applied by sprinkler heads in a certain pattern. Usually measured
in inches per hour, gallons per hour or gallons per day. Commonly called "precipitation
rate". - answerApplication rate
What are the three methods in which to evaluate application rates? - answer1. a
densogram
2. Precipitation rate formula
96.3 x total GPM / total area
3. a water audit
An underground layer or porous rock, sand, etc. containing water, into which wells can
be sunk - answerAquifer
The surface area of the landscape to which a sprinkler head will provide water. Usually
described in degrees or part of a full circle head. The degrees of coverage of a sprinkler
from one side of a pattern to the other. - answerArc
Scale expressing foot measurements in parts of an inch - answerArchitect Scale
A corrected or redrawn plan showing the "actual scaled" location of all major
components of the system and other information the property owner might require. An
---- is an individual tool form irrigators to locate major components at a later date -
answerAs-Built Plan
A back flow prevention device that allows air into the piping system, with the use of a
float that moves up and down, to prevent backsiphonage. No back pressure can exist
for proper operation. It cannot be under constant pressure for more than 12 hours in any
24- hour period. This device must be installed vertically and a minimum of 6' higher than
all down stream piping and the highest downstream head or outlet. There cannot be any
shut off valves downstream of the ---. A separate --- must be installed on the discharge
side of each control valve, between the valve and all emission devices. -
answerAtmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
An electrical or hydraulic control valve in a sprinkler system which is activated by an
automatic controller. Also called a section valve, circuit valve, zone valve, remote
control valve, electrical valve, or hydraulic valve - answerAutomatic Control Valve
An irrigation system which will automatically cycle (water) according to a preset program
- answerAutomatic System
Water (measured in inch of water per inch of soil) that is actually accessible for the plant
to use - answerAvailable Water
