Texas Landscape Irrigation Questions and Answers Verified Answers

Texas Landscape Irrigation Questions and Answers Verified Answers Pressure compensating devices help save water because they? Help eliminate misting or fogging at the sprinkler heads Landscape Irrigation The art and management of applying water to landscape in a manner to encourage growth of plant material and support water conservation Irrigation sensors (Measure rain, wind, soil moisture, and freeze) that save water and eliminate liability issues concerning ice related accidents during freeing weather Pressure Regulation Device Devices which eliminate misting or fogging at the sprinkler heads, thus achieving better uniformity and saving water Hydrozoning The practice of zoning an irrigation system based on similar plant material with similar watering reguirements due to environmental and or geographic influences including, but not limited to, soil type, slope, site orientation, and solar radiation Licensed landscape irrigators Responsibility to educate, promote, support and practice water conservation in the landscape irrigation industry in order to preserve one of out most precious resources on earth Absorption Rate The speed at which water can penetrate or infiltrate the soil Actual Head Pressure The operating pressure measured at the base of a sprinkler head. Actual head pressure formula (Static pressure) - (Total pressure lost) = Actual head pressure air gap an approved Air gap is the unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between the lowest point of a water supply outlet and the flood level rim of the fixture or assembly into which the outlet discharges. Physical seperation must be at least twice the diameter of the water supply outlet but never less than 1" Most common air gap? Kitchen sink Application Rate (Precipitation rate) Rate at which water is applied by sprinkler heads in a certain pattern. For irrigation contractors, water conservation starts with? A great design Three methods to evaluate application rate Densogram, Precipitation rate formulas, Water audit The proper watering time is early morning because? Sprinkler patterns are generally less distorted from the wind arc Degrees of coverage of a sprinkler from one side of a pattern to the other The art and management of applying water to the landscape to encourage the growth of plant material and support water conservation is? Landscape Irrigation Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) Backflow prevention device that allows air into the piping system, with the use of a float that moves up and down, to prevent backsiphonage. Cannot be under constant pressure for more than 12 hours in one 24 hour window. A minimum of 6" higher than all down stream piping. A separate AVB must be installed on the discharge side of each control valve, between the valve and all emission devices. Automatic control valve An electrical or hydraulic remote control valve in a sprinkler system which is activated by an automatic controller Backflow An unwanted reversal of the flow of water in a piping system which can potentially allow non-potable water to pollute or contaminate the potable water supply. Backpressure Any condition that could create pressure in the discharge side of the piping system that is greater than that of the supply side of the system. Backsiphonage A form of backflow due to negative or sub-atmospheric pressure within water system. Backflow prevention methods Any approved device which prevents an undesirable reversal of flow of water by the introduction of air, check valves, or a combination of both. Backflow prevention devices Air Gap Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) Double Check Valve Assembly (DCA) Reduced Pressure Prevention Device (RP) Ball Driven Heads Rotary sprinkler in which roatation is achieved by a steel ball which is set into a circular motion by water passing through the head Bubblers Similar to drip emitters except that they have a much higher flow rate Flood a small area and the water continues to infiltrate into the soil after the bubbler has been shutoff. Applicable in areas where small basins can be constructed to contain the water and where the soil is surface is level. Bushing The pipe fitting used to change an irrigation component to a larger or smaller size C-factor Rating the smoothness inside of the pipe - higher the factor translates to more smoothness Check Valve A valve that allows flow in one direction only Class Pipe Four classes used for piping and fittings receiving used water from buildings. (Class ) Class 200 being the most common Control Wires The wire that transmits the signals from automatic controller to automatic electric valves to open and close the valves. cross-connection Any actual or potential connection between a potable water supply and any source of contamination or pollution Design Pressure Sum total of the desired head pressure added to the total of all pressure losses. Design Pressure=Minimum head pressure + Total of all pressure losses Desired Head Pressure The manufactures minimum recommended operating pressure for a specific head. Densogram Graphic representation of precipitation ID/OD Inside diameter/Outside diameter Direct burial wire Any wire approved for direct underground burial without conduit. Distribution Uniformity measure the uniformity of irrigation water over an area (Generally rotary heads have better uniformity than spray heads) Double Check Valve Assembly Backflow prevention assembly, using two shut off valves and two check valves assembled and pre-tested at the factory, designed to physically block or prevent the backflow of water drip irrigation a method of supplying irrigation water through tubes that literally drip water onto the soil at the base of each plant. 48" or less Dry Line Shock (Dry Pipe Shock) Travel of unrestricted water flow in empty piping Dynamic pressure The force exerted by a fluid in motion Dynamic water Water that is in motion through a system Elevation gain Pressure gained as water is used downhill from its source Elevation lost Pressure lost as water is used uphill from its source Emitters Small mechanical device used in drip irrigation to limit water flow to a drip or slow trickle Evaporation The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas Evapotranspiration (ET) loss of water by evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration by plants FIP Female Iron Pipe Flow-Control Valve A device that controls the rate of flow of a fluid. Foot of head A measure of pressure equivalent to .433 pounds per square inch and equal to the weight of one vertical foot of water on a one-square inch surface. FPS Feet per second Friction loss The reduction in pressure resulting from the water being in contact with the side of the hose. This contact requires force to overcome the drag that the wall of the hose creates. Gate Valve Control valve with a solid plate operated by a handle and screw mechanism. Rotating the handle moves the plate into or out of the waterway. Gauge (wire) Standards used for wire sizing. the larger the gauge number, the smaller the wire. Gear Driven Heads Type of rotary sprinkler head that has a slower, constant rotation that is achieved by water passing through a series of gears within a head. Globe Valve A valve which uses a rubber or composition plug against the valve body seat to restrict or stop the flow of water. GPH Gallons per hour GPM Gallons per minute Gray water Domestic wastewater composed of wash water from household sinks, tubs, and washers. Head to Head Spacing