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Our Products...
Rainforest Inground Sprinklers installs top quality
“mainline” components in all irrigation system installations. While there are many parts and components
that make up a professionally designed and installed irrigation system, the
“mainline” components are the basis of your system and are divided into three
(3) categories: Controllers, Valves, and Sprinkler Heads. The following explanations of these
components will provide you with a better understanding of the products we use
when installing your Rainforest Inground Sprinkler system. Other important components are also
discussed.
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Controllers
Also referred to as “timers,” these devices are responsible
for turning an automatic irrigation system on and off. Controllers can range
from very simple to quite advanced computer systems that offer many powerful
features. One should thus base their selection on the nature of their system.
For example, if you have a six-zone irrigation system in place, make sure to
select a controller with a six-position capacity. A controller is typically
either mounted on a wall or in a protective pedestal.
Electronic controllers can be programmed to water different
parts of the lawn based on each plant's watering requirements. Landscape can be
watered at different rates or frequencies due to sun exposure, poor drainage,
or soil conditions. Ideally, these controllers would be reprogrammed as the
lawn matured or the seasons changed.
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Automatic Remote Control
Valves
These devices are used in conjunction with the controller to
activate water flow to specific zones within an inground sprinkler system. For example, a six (6) zone system will have
six (6) Automatic Remote Control Valves.
A backflow preventer MUST be provided separately.
Master Valves
These should be installed adjacent to your point of
connection with the water supply. Its purpose is to enable you to service the
mainline or irrigation valves without turning off the water to the system.
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Backflow Preventers*
These are a must in
all sprinkler systems if you want to protect yourself from physical harm as
well as the law. The backflow preventer
prohibits the contamination of your personal water supply.
Be aware of irrigation contractors who do not include a
backflow prevention device such as pressure vacuum breaker, double check valve
or reduced pressure assembly.
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**Mandatory Provincial Government Backflow Regulation
The Ontario
Plumbing Code requires testing of all specified backflow prevention
devices. Pressure Vacuum Breaker, Double
Check Assembly, and Reduced Pressure Assembly backflow preventors commonly used
on inground irrigation systems must be tested at installation, annually and
upon repair. Legal due diligence demands
municipalities; contractors and system owners adhere to these regulations. Non-compliance can result in penalties
(fines, disconnection of services, etc.) and legal liability for all
parties. Rainforest, as a licensed
tester, will perform the required test proceduresto verify your backflow’s
proper operation and submit all applicable paperwork, including a copy for your
files.
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Sprinkler Heads
The dimensions of the area being covered, the water pressure
available for operation, and a variety of other factors determine the types of
heads utilized on a specific project. Choose between a spray and rotor.
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Spray
Spray heads spray water in specific circular patterns and
can be changed at your discretion. Spacing between sprinklers varies depending
upon the specific nozzle that is installed in the head. To operate efficiently,
units should rarely be spaced further than 15 ft apart and should be supplied
with 20-30 PSI of water pressure. Ideal for smaller, fragmented, hard-to-reach
areas, these heads discharge 2-3 times the water of a rotor if watering for the
same duration.
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Rotor
Rotor heads also disperse water in circular patterns.
However, these are used to cover larger areas of un-interrupted space. Small
rotors tend to cover radii of 15-52 feet and large rotors can be designed to
cover radii of up to 100 feet. To operate efficiently, rotors need to be
supplied with more water pressure than spray heads.
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Other Common Components
Rain Sensors
These units are mounted in a location exposed
to normal rainfall, but outside the watering spray of the sprinkler system.
There are different designs, but most have settings that allow some sort of
measuring to take place. Rain will cause the system to remain off during or
after an event if sufficient rainfall is measured. The settings can be adjusted
so that a light shower will not effect the system operation, or eliminate a
scheduled watering, when rainfall is not sufficient to make up for a normal
application.
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Valve Box
Isolates and protects automatic remote control valves in an
enclosed box that keeps dirt and debris away while providing easy access for
service.
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