DIRECTED FIELD SCHOOL

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Update 4 - Piping Diagram and Isolation Valve Placement

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Designing a piping system to accommodate a system built to this magnitude will be a feat in its own. When initially determining how to design a piping system, I first had to consider what I wanted to be able to do as the irrigation technician. Currently, when operating the system , I am only able to run stations in pairs, two heads at once on each hole due to a poor layout of the current piping system causing pressure issues. A huge wish of mine would be to run up to triple that on each hole at the same time, while being able to adjust run times for each sprinkler head individually. Additionally, because of the nature of the corporate umbrella the golf course is under, I wanted to "over-kill" design elements, including sizing up pipes slightly larger than what should be needed, to prepare for any possible added features in the property plans. 

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When laying out the new irrigation piping system, I kept true to standard piping layouts and connected everything in a loop so it would have pressure and flow supplied from both sides of each sprinkler head. I sized the pipe according to PSI friction loss charts ensuring each sprinkler head had enough pressure to operate at the desired 100 PSI.

 

The currently present irrigation system does not require the addition of a pump house as on our property is fed off a potable 36" mainline that runs deep below the surface of the golf course. While that will remain unchanged, everything allocated to the current golf course infrastructure will be replaced with new updated materials.

 

Below is a link to the GIS project files that outline the piping system. Isolation valves are included as well in the diagram, allowing for the individual shut off of each hole.

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LINK: Piping System and Isolation Valve Layout GIS Files (Google Drive Folder)

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Update 5 - Accessories and Satellite Box Placement

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Firstly, when considering our current needs for irrigation accessories, the only thing I wanted to ensure was included within the design was a quick coupler for each green location. The greens on the property, are all that really need extra hand watering from time to time. In my four seasons on the property, I have not found the want for a quick coupler on any tee locations. In the future if a quick coupler is needed in an additional location, they are quite easy to install. 

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When setting the location of the satellite boxes, there was only one wish on my list. I wanted one satellite for each hole, and all three holes in the same location. The location I chose is quite close to the driving range where the power required for the controllers is readily available. 

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Below is a link to the GIS project files that outline the accessories and satellite locations. 

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LINK: Quick Coupler and Satellite Box Layout GIS Files (Google Drive Folder)

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Update 6 - Wiring Diagram

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With wishes similar to the piping system, I knew I wanted individual control sprinkler heads. After thoroughly researching different methods of electrical installations; decoder systems and the RainBird IC control; I decided to go with an "old school" method of two wire control. For the scope of the installation, and because this installation plan is only encompassing three holes of the golf course, I thought this would be the easiest way to integrate the entire system with a future central control. Two wire systems don't seem to be going anywhere in the near future. 

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When designing this system, I tried to route the wire the shortest distance possible back to the controller. Each head has a power wire and a common wire. The common wire is run in a giant circuit beginning at the controller and ending at the last sprinkler head on each hole. 

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Below is a link to the GIS project files that outline the wiring diagram. 

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LINK: Wiring Diagram GIS Files (Google Drive Folder)

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Update 7 - Installation Plan and Equipment Requirements

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Within this section, the equipment requirements will be explained as well as the installation techniques used will be outlined. 

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At Victoria Golf Course, we are one of the busiest golf courses in Canada, operating under the City of Edmonton we are mandated to create conditions for consistent golf every day we can. In order to have as low of an impact on play as possible, most of this installation would be completed overnight. This will allow the golf course to remain open during the day, as well as create a safety barrier for the irrigation installers. The steps outlined below are tailored to keep these goals in mind as well as respect various noise bylaws imposed on our property by the City.

 

For the installation of this system, I have decided to dig trenches for all pipe instead of pulling. This option was decided for a couple reasons;

• Pulled pipe has the potential to be cut or gouged by rocks under the surface.

  • Victoria Golf Course has areas under the surface that have been filled with some rocky material. Because these areas are unmarked and random, the reliability of pulling any pipe, and wiring can be risky. 

• Trenched lines will allow for wiring to be run with pipe more efficiently.

• Victoria Golf Course would likely not get funding for another replacement system for at least another fifty years, so ensuring the installation goes perfectly by visually inspecting while under pressure all aspects prior to backfilling will allow for the maximum lifespan of the newly installed system. 

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Step 1: Alberta One Call and Site Marking

 

Step one will be one of the few steps done in the daylight. Alberta One Call will come out to mark any underground utilities that need to be avoided. If there are no blocks to the design of the system, the design can then be drawn out using turf paint and marking flags. Working at a pace of one hole per night, the area will be marked by the project manager during the day before the scheduled night work is to begin. 

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Step 2a: Sod Cutting and Trenching 6" Mainline

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The first step in the construction of this new system is installing the new 6" line that will serve as the main source for this area's (5,6 and 7) irrigation water. This line will be tied in with the existing 8" main line that runs the distance of the entire property. 

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The area will first be sod cutted and the sod will be removed neatly and placed to the side. The trencher will then follow behind, and behind the trencher the 6" pipe will be pulled out and laid into the trench. After the pipe is laid, the t's will be installed and fused for the future connections of the 4" line.

 

The majority of the trench will be then buried into the ground and the area will be compacted around the pipe before sodding. 

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Step 2b: Sod Cutting and Trenching 4" Lateral 

 

Once play for the day has winded down, the first working step in the installation process can begin; sod cutting. The sod cutter will remove the sod from all areas where sprinkler heads and pipelines are to be placed. The sod will all be saved, rolled neatly, and placed to the side of the hole approximately 15 feet away.

 

When sod cutting, the first area to be cut will be the lateral lines running from the mainline to the desired hole of work. (In the case of hole 5, these two lines will be cut across the 6th fairway.)

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Once the sod has been cut from the mainline to the hole of work, the lateral line will be trenched in. This excavation will remain open until the wiring has been completed. 

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Step 3: Trenching Irrigation Pipelines, Laying 4" Lateral and Tying in with 6" Mainline

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Using the trencher, all 3" and smaller pipelines will be completed as per the project plan. The operator will be careful using this machine and plywood will be utilized to distribute the weight of the trencher to avoid any additional turf loss along the way. 

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Elsewhere, the 4" Lateral line will be placed into the trench and will be tied into the 6" line that takes off from the 8" mainline. There will be an isolation valve installed after each connection to the 6" line has been completed. Once the fusion joints have effectively cooled down the isolation valve can be backfilled and installed in a valve box. Space for the irrigation wire bundle should remain. 

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Step 4: Laying 3" Pipe

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Once the trenching has begun, following closely behind will be the pipe. Installed on a pipe rack, the lines will be pulled into the trenches using a workman or similar machine. Where necessary the pipe will be held down using a cinderblock or similar heavy material. Once trenching is completed and the pipe is all completely laid, the next step can begin.

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Step 5: HDPE ElectroFusion, Running Wire

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Using the HDPE ElectroFusion machine, all necessary joints will be electro-fused and given time to cool and solidify. While this is occurring, each sprinkler head location will have a saddle fitting installed onto the 3" line. 

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Wire will also begin to be spooled out at this time. One power wire will be run to each sprinkler head and all the way back to the controller. Ideally they should be marked with where the wire is running to, however this can always be determined later at the satellite controller. 6-8 feet of extra wire should be left at the controller for each power wire. The common wire will also be run at this time. When running wire, WHITE wire will be used for the common, and RED will be used for the power wires. Service loops of wire (approx. 2 feet coiled) should be left at each sprinkler head hole as well to allow for future changes or upgrades. 

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Step 6: Sprinkler Head Installation and Wiring and Backfilling 4" Lateral and Re-Sodding Area

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Once the saddles are installed onto the 3" pipe, a team of installers should begin installing sprinkler heads. This includes the swing joint at each head as well as the completion of the wiring. 

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Additionally at this time, the 4" lateral can be backfilled, compacted using tampers and re-sodded. Special care should be taken to level the valve box concealing the isolation valve to ensure it is level with the surrounding area. 

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Step 7: Pressurize, Level Sprinkler Heads, Backfill and Compact

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After all sprinkler heads are installed, the system will be pressurized for the first time and the system will be inspected for leaks. Any issues will be resolved. Once the system is holding water as expected, the sprinkler heads will need to be levelled, backfilled and compacted. Sprinkler heads should be level with the ground, installed no more than 1/2" below the surface. Carefully hand tamping around the swing joint and head will ensure effective compaction. Care should be taken to ensure enough space for the sod remains.

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Step 8: Backfill and Compact Irrigation Lines

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While one team is backfilling around sprinkler heads, another larger team can start on the rest of the pipe. Hand tamping around the pipe up to the surface is important. Care should be taken along these areas to ensure enough space for the sod remains. 

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Step 9: Re-sod Irrigation Lines and New Sprinkler Heads

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The next step in the irrigation install is sodding. All team members will sod the affected areas carefully. Care should be taken to ensure there are no massive dips or holes beneath the sod, effectively returning the area back to as it was before the installation began. The use of a turf roller will be implemented to smooth out any imperfections in the sod job. 

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Step 10: Wire Sprinkler Heads into Controller

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While the sodding is taking place, a single member of the installation team will begin wiring the new sprinklers into their respective controllers. A rough database will be established at this time as well.

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Step 11: Site Marking and Securing Open Trenches

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Once work is completed for the night, the site will be marked with pin flags, marking all sodded locations and signs will be placed at the tee explaining to golfers to attempt to avoid driving on these areas. Free drops will also be provided to these players that land on affected areas. The pin flags will be maintained in place for approximately one week of play while the sod re-establishes. Turf mowing can continue once these pin flags are removed. Remaining open trenches (6" line while 5 and 6 holes are completed) will be secured with plywood for golfer safety during the day.

 

Step 12: System Testing

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Once the sodding is completed, the controller is wired, and the site is marked, the final step before completion is system testing. This is the first time a full system test will be completed and a couple of minor issues are to be expected. These will be fixed as they appear. 

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Step 13: Repeat

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The installation procedure outlined above will be practically identical to what is to be expected for all three holes. Safety is the major concern and any open holes after the work is completed for the night will be secured and visibly marked.

 

Step 14: Project Completion

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After a successful system test has been completed, the irrigation system is ready for use. Sprinkler heads from the old system will be removed at a later date by the irrigation technician present on the property.

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LINK: Installation Procedure

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Installation Equipment:

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Having recently undergone a previous irrigation addition to the property, the irrigation equipment will be quite similar to what has been used before. Below is the list of equipment and links to the exact model I would use. 

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• Equipment List:

  • Ryan Heavy Duty Sod Cutter

  • Ditch Witch Ride-On Trencher

  • Hand Tampers

  • Honda 2000 Watt Generator

  • Sand Pro

  • Workman

  • 300 LB Sod Roller

  • HDPE Electrofusion Machine

  • Shovels/Misc Hand Tools. 

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Update 8 - Project Timelines and Gantt Chart

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When installing a project of this magnitude, it is important to remain vigilant when planning staffing to ensure the project is installed as efficiently as possible. 

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The link below can be used to view the project's gantt chart which displays all projects steps, short descriptions, estimated number of employees and estimated time of completion for each step.

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LINK: Irrigation Installation Gantt Chart and Man Power Projections

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