Sec 3 Irrigation System Components

Irrigation System Components “A landscape/turf irrigation system consists of a series of pipes that carry water to various types of sprinklers for distribution over the surface of the soil” Principles of Irrigation, Irrigation Association, March 2015 The main components of a residential light commercial block system are Controller Point of connection (POC) Valve manifold Pipe Sprinklers or micro-emitters Other components may include: Filtration Pressure regulation POC (Point of Connection) The point of Connection for an Irrigation System can be quite complex. It is not just a pipe running down to a valve manifold. The point of connection in a residential system may consist of the following: Water meter Shut off valve Backflow prevention (BFPD) Hose bib or drain (or both) for winterization To household water BFPDHose Bib Shut off water meter valve threaded plug for drainage main shut off foundation wallM To household water BFPD Hose Bib Shut off water meter valve threaded plug for drainage main shut off foundation wall M Olds College 2017 The point of connection must be installed by a qualified plumber or someone with a cross connection certificate. Manual Valves Valves are used to control the flow of water Common manual valves are: Gate valves Ball valves Butterfly Valves (often used for large pipe sizes) Backflow Prevention Devices (BFPD) Backflow Prevention Devices should be installed by a certified plumber or someone with a Cross-Connection Certificate. The pressure on the backflow preventer needs to be checked once a year. Backflow can be caused by either back pressure or back siphonage. Back pressure occurs when there is pressure produced within the pipe that is higher than the supply pressure. This can be caused by elevation or a pump. Back siphonage occurs when atmospheric pressure siphons water back through a cross connection into a supplying water system where the pressure is below atmospheric pressure. This is the same process as drinking through a straw. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPzhxc80qQ4 Resources Gate Valve http://www.hydravalve.co.uk/haitima-2029-bsp-gate-valve-stainless-steel.html Ball Valve http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-3-4-in-Lead-Free-Brass-Industrial-Threaded-FPT-x-FPT-Ball-Valve-118-2-34-HD/205815455 Butterfly valve photo By HS - The Alloy Valve Stockist's pipeline photo gallery., CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10101070 Backflow Section (modified from a handout for LGAP Irrigation by Dennis McKernan ver 3.0)