Initial MainLine and Service Layout

 

Establish a Point of Connection (P.O.C.)

 

When you reviewed the Source Data, you established one or more P.O.C.’s, and determined what the water source flow is at the P.O.C.(s). These P.O.C.’s might be a water meter, a point of connection size (such as a 2” pipe tap into a main service line), or a custom max available.

 

The next step is to place this P.O.C. into the drawing along with any required backflow device.

 

Place Water Meter and Backflow

 

In this example we will assume your P.O.C. is a 1½” water meter. To place the water meter, select the Place Auxiliary Equipment category.

 

 

The Select Equipment dialog box will list all auxiliary equipment that has been added to the project, as, in this example, a water meter, backflow device, and irrigation controller.

 

Select Equipment dialog box with the water meter highlighted.

 

The water meter that was added to the project is a 1½” water meter, and was added for POC1. Highlight the water meter and select Place to insert into the drawing. When you place the meter, a dialog box will want to know how you wish to label this meter.

 

 

This defaults to “M”, but you can enter whatever letter or number you wish. Typically, if there is only one meter, just let the default apply. The next meter you add will automatically be “M2”.

 

Open the Select Equipment dialog box again and highlight the backflow device. Highlighting the backflow device will result in all sizes listed by the manufacturer for that model being available for input. Select the size of backflow that makes most sense for the project. If you need to know the manufacturer’s performance data to make a decision on the most appropriate size, select View Data to view the manufacturer’s data.

 

Select Equipment dialog box with the backflow device highlighted.

 

Select the 1-1/2” backflow device and Place into the drawing.

 

Water Meter and Backflow Device placed into the drawing.

 

Place Quick Couplers

 

After the P.O.C. is placed, you can, if you wish, place some of the manual devices for water control, either quick couplers or hose bibs. To place, for example, a quick coupler, select the Place Valve function, where you would place this and other valves.

 

The Select Valve dialog box will list all valves that have been entered into the project.

 

Select Valve dialog box with valves listed, in this example a quick coupler and remote control valve.

 

Since a specific quick coupler valve model, a Rain Bird 3RC, was added to the project, the only size option for this item is ¾”. Highlight the quick coupler and select Place.

 

The target for a quick coupler or hose bibb will consist of three radius indications. These correlate to hose lengths, and include a 50’, 75’, and 100’ radius. These relate to garden hose lengths, and the Designer can use this to help determine the location of the quick coupler.

Quick coupler target.

 

Place quick couplers around the site at desired locations.

 

Schematic Mainline Layout

 

The drawing of a Schematic Mainline Layout is an optional phase, but a good idea as this layout may evolve as you further define where valves are located.

 

As soon as you placed a P.O.C. into the drawing, a layer was automatically created called LI‑PIPE‑MAIN‑NPLT. This layer is automatically indicated as a non-plot layer, so it won’t plot if you accidentally leave it on. Make this the active layer and draw what you feel is the initial layout of the mainline. This should start at the P.O.C. and connect to the various quick couplers (or hose bibbs) you placed into the drawing, and reflect your intention of what the mainline layout will be. This layout will be adjusted as you add valves, and perhaps move things around.

 

Place Remote Control Valves

 

You can place a valve for a circuit zone of heads at any time during the piping process. With the mainline laid out in a schematic process, and with the lateral systems zoned into groups, it is often best to place the valves in logical locations before lateral piping so you know where the lateral piping is connecting to.

 

 

The Select Valve dialog box will appear, and will list all valves that have been added to the project. Select the valve size that is appropriate for the flow gpm of the circuit zone.

 

In order to aid the decision on what size valve is most appropriate for the flow gpm of the circuit, select View Data while the valve is highlighted, and the performance data will appear in your web browser. In this example, the manufacturer’s performance data is clear in that a certain minimum flow is needed to insure a pressure loss through the valve to allow it to operate properly. The gray areas in the performance data indicate about a 2.5psi minimum loss is necessary to operate the valve.

 

The performance data is also helpful in determining the maximum flow and pressure loss a valve should have. A maximum pressure loss of less than 10% of the static pressure, or between 5psi to 8psi, is a normal practice.

 

Select Valve dialog box. Notice the when you highlight the valve on the left, the size options will be visible on the right for selection.

 

Select “View Data” to see the manufacturer’s performance data in your web browser.

 

Place the size remote control valve that best fits the requirements of each zoned lateral system.