1. 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

2. 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 –

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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Creating a Site Plan
Necessary equipment for collecting site information

10. 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)

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

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

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

16. 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

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

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

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

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

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

22. 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

23. 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)

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

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

30. 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

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

32. Drafting Equipment
Sharpeners, erasers and pointers

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

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

35. Drafting Equipment
Compass and beam compass

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