One of the most commonly used sizes of PVC pipe for irrigation systems are 13mm, 19mm, and 25mm. For irrigation laterals, PVC pipes that are at least ¾” thick (19.05mm) are preferred since those that are ½” thick (12.7mm) clog much faster and often.
3/4 sprinkler pipe: Moderate diameter, relatively easy to install, for small commercial space or residential fire systems. 1 inch sprinkler pipe: Large diameter to provide sufficient flow and pressure. It is commonly used in large commercial buildings, warehouses, factories, and high-risk fire zones.
Go with 3/4``. This have less friction loss as the water is moving slower. Ideally you would go back to the meter but since you are only using two of the 3500 series head it should be fine. But check your low first at the faucet.
Hoses come in multiple sizes; the most typical sizes are ½”, ⅝” and ¾” in diameter. We recommend hoses that are ½” in diameter. This size allows for a decent flow of water without making the hose too heavy to move around the yard.
Hose diameters range from 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch. In the United States, most standard garden hoses are 5/8-inch in diameter. The bigger the diameter, the more water is delivered.
Polyethylene pipes are mainly used in sprinkler systems because of their high-pressure rating. The rating system is basically a measurement of pressure-bearing load. Some particular environmental conditions require flexible pipes that can adjust to any changes. For example, in cold climates, the soil becomes frozen.
Note: Most common wire sizes used for a sprinkler system are 16-gauge wire and 18-Gauge Wire. Waterproof connectors are filled with a silicone substance.
The number of sprinkler heads per zone depends on the water pressure and flow rate of a system's water source. A traditional system may have a dozen rotors and 8 to 10 spray heads. An Irrigreen system only needs one sprinkler head per zone.
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.
Dig for Your Sprinkler System
The trenches will be relatively shallow, usually 6 to 12 inches deep, depending on your area's freeze cycles and frost severity. The trench must also be deep enough to allow the sprinklers to retract underground to prevent breakage from lawn machines.
We recommend that you use 40 psi when designing your system. Example: if your sprinkler heads use 2.5 gpm @ 40 psi, then a ¾” service (20 gpm) could operate approximately 8 heads at one time. Based on this example calculation, you would not have more than 8 heads on at one time.
The previously mentioned general 'head-to-head' layout is suitable for REGULAR SHAPED areas; however, when an area is an ODD SHAPE, sprinklers should be laid out so that the spray from the first sprinkler hits the spray from the third sprinkler, and so on down the line.
Sprinkler Water Runs Through Piping And Tubing
You'll use PVC pipe anywhere inline before the valve. That means from your water meter, to where you branch off to your irrigation system, to your backflow, to your valves. After the valve, you may use either PVC or poly tubing, also called funny pipe.
Average Water Pressure For A Sprinkler System
Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch. For residential and small business applications manufacturers recommend 30psi at the head for sprays and 45 psi at the head for rotors. Larger heads will require higher pressure.
Plumbing Size
The larger the pipe's diameter, the greater the water flow. For example, the flow rate of a 3/4” pipe is approximately 13.5 gallons per minute, while a 1” pipe flows at a higher rate of 21 gallons per minute.
The average system uses approximately 15-16 gallons per minute, per station. Here is an easy formula to help you calculate the approximate amount of water you are using each month.
1 of NFPA 13, which states that the distance from the sprinkler to the wall can be no more than one-half the allowable distance between sprinklers. The max distance between standard spray sprinklers in light hazard settings is 15 ft. (4.6 m) (with exceptions for light-hazard, combustible concealed spaces).
What Size PVC Pipe is Used For Irrigation? One of the most commonly used sizes of PVC pipe for irrigation systems are 13mm, 19mm, and 25mm. For irrigation laterals, PVC pipes that are at least ¾” thick (19.05mm) are preferred since those that are ½” thick (12.7mm) clog much faster and often.
For a rough rule of thumb, 18-gauge is good for 750 feet, if you are operating one valve at a time.
A: My recommendation is to bury sprinkler lines 8-12 inches. I usually try to keep a standard depth of 10" because it provides more safety if I need to do some type of ground work so I don't have to worry about hitting lines. A walk-behind rototiller generally won't go deeper than 8".
The FH-1 flexible hose can be used in sprinkler systems for offices, schools, libraries, hospitals, shopping complexes, and more. Eliminate the expense of threading and cutting pipes to exact lengths, and reduce labor time with the easy installation process.
The rule of thumb is to use schedule 40 for the main line. Run it from the water meter, through the backflow and to the valves. Then use class 200 for the laterals, or after the valves.