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PREFACE From the inside cover of the Basic Irrigation Systems and Design Agricultural irrigation has been around since the beginning of time. However, “landscape irrigation” as a profession is relatively new vocation. The roots of landscape irrigation products give us a definite time line. The innovation of PVC catapulted the industry forward. There have been many technological advances in products and production methods. The controllers have come from awkward electro-mechanical devices to state of the art computers. Rain switches were a radical improvement and now we have on site weather stations, which respond specifically to ET or any changes in the weather patterns. However, like many technologies, there is a down side. Although we have advanced in giant leaps in technology, the human aspect of design has not kept pace. In fact, some could argue that the designers of irrigation have not kept pace with the irrigation manufacturers. This is evidenced by the gross amount of sprinkler systems that are installed by the “red wing boot method.” This method is when a contractor steps off or paces off a distance he or she believes to be “about right” and drops a flag for a head. Obviously, this will not provide an efficient head layout. As if that is not bad enough, the same contractor will not utilize progressive pipe sizing. Instead, they will use the same size pipe through out the system. The logic being that it is easier and will save the client money. The irony is that in the early days when the products were not as flexible as they are today, the designers made up the difference. They designed a solid system. There is a rebounding surge of professionals who want to design irrigation systems correctly and do it right. This level of professionalism coupled with the state of the art equipment makes for an extremely bright and prosperous future for those irrigators who are true stewards of water. It is my hope that in some small way this design manual will help them along that path.
TABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER
1 Introduction to irrigation and its history Irrigation defined The market place Why do we irrigate Major changes impacting the irrigation industry Why is irrigation regulated in Texas The State of Texas, The License, and You 2 TCEQ laws, Rules, and RegulationsTexas water code – Chapter 37 Regulatory Authority – Texas water code – Chapter 34 Title 30 – Texas Administrative Code 3 Drafting tools and “blue” prints Drafting tools Blue print reading Area calculations Orientation of location Contours, slopes, topographical, and elevations Scale verses plot sizes 4 Site assessments and plot plans Assessing the property Plot plans and measurements Slopes Addressing design for wind Soil, plant, water relationships Backflow conditions 5 Fundamentals of water the how to measure Water volume Water pressure and foot of head Static and dynamic water pressure Measurement of water volume 6 Pipe and fittingsSpecific terms related to pipe Pipe charts What is pipe 7 ComponentsSprinkler heads Matched Precipitations Rates What sprinkler heads do Sizing components Controllers Pumps 8 Backflow Backflow defined Principle causes of backflow Backflow devices (approved) Required backflow prevention devices Chapter 290 Backflow testing laws Title 30 – Texas Administrative Code Backflow reference chart “Backflow Prevention, Cross Connection Control Handbook”by FEBCO and “50 Cross-Connection Questions, Answers, and Illustrations relating Backflow Prevention Products and Protection Of Safe Drinking Water Supply” by WATTS. Reference Section
9 Hydraulics; The impact of velocity and friction loss; how to control it and calculate Definition of hydraulics Friction loss Pressure losses Velocity Progressive pipe sizing ISGLLA(C) (the calculation of your friction losses) Looped Mains 10 Head placementSprinkler head placement Pre-Planning your design Design Styles or types Head to head spacing Distribution Uniformity Pressure regulations Determining the optimum spacing (X –Y © method) Putting your heads on the design Designing to irregular shapes 11 ZoningZoning your head placement Number of Zone worksheet © Steps to determine the number of zones Physically placing the zones and valves
12 Putting it all togetherDesign problem 1 Design problem 2 Design problem 3 13 Irrigation scheduling Why we irrigate Key elements needed to generate an irrigation schedule The Penman-Montieth equation (Et for turf grasses) Et Charts for Texas Precipitation Rate formula Water Auditing Distribution Uniformity (D. U.) calculations Calculating an Et based irrigation schedule Irrigating slopes 14 Irrigation & Electricity TCEQ minimum standards Types of wire Sizing wire Wiring controllers Connecting to valves Wire connections Working with wire 15 Installation TechniquesTexas One Call Working with pipe Solvent Welding Working with copper Specialty trenching Boring Component Installation 16 Drip Irrigation What is drip irrigation Advantages of drip irrigation Disadvantages of drip irrigation Applications for drip Key components of drip Calculating water needs for drip Designing with drip 17 Client Education Water conservation is the responsibility of all water users Irrigation consumes an extremely large amount of water Irrigation is regulated in the State of Texas Irrigation schedule and implementation Irrigation systems do require maintenance 18 DesignTCEQ testing policy Water Management Specialists grading format Water Management Specialists re-test policy Irrigation Final Exam Irrigation Exam answer sheet
GLOSSARY REFERENCE SECTION Drafting Symbols and LegendFormulas (Quick reference) Steps for Design Properties of water ET Charts Backflow Manufacturer Information Answers to Review Questions TCEQ Performance Charts
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