Current fire safety codes require sprinkler heads always to be a minimum of 6 feet apart from one another to avoid cold soldering.
Minimum Distance Between Sprinklers: typically 6'-0". Distance from Ceiling: minimum 1", maximum 12" for unobstructed construction. The minimum 1" is typical; however, concealed, recessed, and flush sprinklers may be mounted less than 1" from the ceiling and shall be installed based on their listing.
5.4. 3 are met, sprinklers shall be spaced not less than 6 ft (1.8 m) on center. Sprinklers shall be permitted to be placed less than 6 ft (1.8 m) on center where the following conditions are satisfied: Baffles shall be arranged to protect the actuating elements.
Nothing should be in that area between the bottom of the sprinkler heads and the imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below. This is done to allow an even and unobstructed spray pattern from the sprinklers when triggered to extinguish the fire.
A common rule that is followed for obstructions within 18 inches of the sprinkler deflector is the “three times rule”. This requires sprinklers to be positioned away from obstructions a minimum or three times the maximum dimension of the obstruction.
You can operate 2 or 3 sprinklers at one time with 'Y's and extra hoses, depending on your water pressure. To run more than one sprinkler off the same faucet, attach a 'Y' to your faucet and run a hose to each sprinkler.
The “Four Times Rule” is really just an extension of the “three times rule” however it covers extended coverage sprinklers and the maximum clearance is 36 inches (0.9144 m).
LL26 was designed to improve the fire safety of NYC buildings. This law requires buildings classified as business occupancies that are at least 100 feet tall to have automatic fire sprinkler systems.
Distribution uniformity is increased by head-to-head spacing. This occurs when sprinkler heads are located a distance of 50% of the nozzle throw diameter from the adjacent head. In other words, a sprinkler head with a 10-foot throw should be spaced 10 feet from the adjacent head.
On average, it will take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water. So, 20 minutes, three times per week will give a lawn about an inch of water. This formula works best with healthy, well-cultivated soil.
When properly installed, most sprinkler heads will have an 8' coverage radius. This is one of many determining factors in how the sprinkler heads must be spaced.
The industry benchmark for design and installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems, NFPA 13 addresses sprinkler system design approaches, system installation, and component options to prevent fire deaths and property loss.
NFPA® 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, provides the minimum requirements for the design and installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems and exposure protection sprinkler systems.
Types of sprinkler systems permissible by NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, are wet, dry, preaction, and deluge. Other types of extinguishing systems, such as clean agent or water mist, are addressed by other standards.
Sprinklers should be set to run for about 30 to 35 minutes at a time twice a week. Your goal is at least 1″ of water a week for your lawn. When it's hot and dry, double the water times while still trying to water just 2 or 3 days a week.
I'd suggest trying energizing only one zone at a time, to see if just one zone behaves differently than having them all on at the same time. How many sprinklers do you have? If you have a bunch, and they are all on at the same time, then the pressure would be low, and likely not enough to "pop up" the heads.
Most home improvement stores will carry schedule 40, which is the recommended thickness for irrigation as it can withstand hundreds of pounds of pressure, while the average residential irrigation system isn't more than 80 psi.
One sprinkler does the job pretty well. And while my setup doesn't reach the edges of my yard, I do have the option of installing up to three additional Quick-Snap sprinklers down the road. These can either be daisy-chained together to function as one unit or used independently when needed.
If you choose to use PVC pipe for your irrigation laterals, make sure to use pipe that is at least 3/4" thick. 1/2" inch laterals clog very easily. If you choose to use fittings, most common PVC fitting types work fine.
Most lawns need to be watered no more than three days a week in the spring as well as in the summer and two days a week in the fall. This watering schedule is recommended under normal water supply conditions.
Avoid watering grass on a hot afternoon when it's 95 degrees or higher. The best time to water grass is at dawn or in the early evening. Water deeply three times a week instead of a little water daily. Test whether your sprinkler system is watering your lawn evenly.