STEP 1 - MAKE A SKETCH OF THE AREA YOU WISH TO IRRIGATE WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.
  • Dimensions of area to be irrigated
  • Row and plant spacing
  • Type of crop or plants
  • Type of soil
  • Indicate the slope with an arrow
  • Amount of water and pressure available
  • Denote and walks, driveways or other obstructions
  • Location of water
STEP 2 - SELECT THE EMITTER, JET, FOGGER OR MINI-SPRINKLER THAT WILL BEST FIT YOUR NEEDS.
    Use the Submatic E-2 emitter for gardens or other closely spaced plants.  The Submatic E-4 emitter is best for subsurface applications.  For more trouble-free operations, the vibra-clean pressure compensating emitter is recomended.  For container or other watering of isolated plants, use the inline emitters in 1/4" tubing with the button emitters on the ends.  Another good way to water containers or hanging baskets is with the adjustable emitters that have a flow rate from 0 to 10 gallons per hour.  Jets are great for sandy soils or for watering foliage.  Foggers are used to control the temperature and create a mini-atmosphere above plants.  Mini-sprinklers cover a much greater area - up to 30 feet in diameter.  Ultra-jets also cover a greater area.  For large tree areas, you may prefer the new low angle mutli pressure sprinklers installed permanetly with PVC pipe or with a quick coupler system.
STEP 3 - DETERMINE EMITTER AND HOSE SPACING.
    For gardens generally a 2-foot spacing will cover the area.  For isolated plants - grape vines and berries for example - 1 emitter per plant is usually adequate.  Trees may take up to 6 emitters per tree depending on their size.  Under good soil conditions, 1 emitter line between 2 rows of plants may be adequate.  Refer to charts for the maximum length of emitter lines and to calculate the precipitation rates for each emitter.
STEP 4 - CALCULATE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WATER YOU WILL NEED FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.
    Calculate in gallons per hour and convert the total amount to gallons per minute by dividing the total gallons per hour by 60.
STEP 5 - IF YOUR TOTAL WATER REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS YOUR SUPPLY.
    Then you must divide the areas into sections;  keep in mind that some areas need more water than others.  So group thoose areas together.
STEP 6 - SIZE AND LOCATE THE MAINLINE PIPE AND LATERALS.
    Friction loss through pipe and hose is an important factor.  Differences in elevation should also be considered.  As a general rule run the mainline hose down the slope, and the emitter laterals across the slope.
1

Maximum Water Available in Gallons Per Minute

Size Of Your

Static Water Pressure

Service line

Water Meter

30 PSI

40 PSI

50 PSI

60 PSI

1/2"

5/8"

2.0

5.0

6.5

7.5

3/4"

5/8"

5.5

7.0

9.5

11.0

3/4"

3/4"

6.0

9.0

12.0

14.0

1"

3/4"

7.5

11.5

15.0

17.5
2

Friction Loss in PSI  Per 100 ft. of Emitter Hose

Flow

.375" ID 3/8"

.54" ID 1/2"

.600" ID 16MM

.820 ID 3/4"

1/2 GPM

.5

.25

.10

3/4 GPM

1

.50

.20

1 GPM

2

.75

.25

2 GPM

1.5

.75

.30
3 GPM 2.5 1.50 .50
4 GPM 2.5 .80
5 GPM 1.0
3

Emitter Hose Selection Guide

Size

I.D.

Max Flow

Maximum Number of Emitters

1/2 GPH

1 GPH

2 GPH

4 GPH

3/8"

 .38"

1 GPM

120

60

30

15

16MM

 .54"

1 1/2 GPM

180

90

45

22

1/2"

 .60"

2 GPM

240

120

60

30

3/4"

 .83"

4 GPM

480

240

120

60
4

Guide For Selecting Mainline & Submain

Flow Range In Gal. Per Minute

Mainline Pipe Size

Submain Pipe Size

0-3 GPM

 1/2"

1/2"

3-6 GPM

 3/4"

1/2"

6-10 GPM

 1"

3/4"

10-20 GPM

 1-1/4"

1"
20-30 GPM 1-1/2" 1-1/4"
30-60 GPM 2" 1-1/2"
STEP 7 - SELECT AN ADEQUATE FILTER.
    If city or domestic water is used, a single hose strainer with an 80-mesh screen may be all you need.  Y-strainers with screens are also available for dirty water conditions.  Various other type filters are available from Submatic.
STEP 8 - FERTILIZER APPLICATORS AND ANTI-SIPHON VALVES
    If you wish to apply fertilizer or other chemicals through your system, be sure that you provide a backflow prevention device to prevent the water supply from being contaminated.
STEP 9 - COMPILE A MATERIALS LIST.
    Starting at the water source, list everything you need to complete your system.  We suggest keeping a supply of emitters, couplings and fittings on hand.  You will find it an easy matter to add to your system as needed.
STEP 10 - INSTALLING THE SYSTEM.
    A certain sequence should be followed in the installation of a drip or mini-sprinkler irrigation system as depicted in the sketch shown here.
STEP 11 - OPERATION.
    For best results bring the moisture level to field capacity - wet, but not saturated.  Operate the system regularly as needed, replacing only the moisture used by the plants.  The object is to prevent moisture stress from developing, as opposed to correcting stress.
STEP 12 - MAINTENANCE.
    Before the season begins, check your system carefully for leaks or other malfunctions.  Remove and clean filter screens and flush out any sediment that may have collected there while the system was not in use.  Consult Submatic for more information.
5

Table of Precipitation, Inches Per Hour

Wetted Area Sq. Ft.

Emitter Flow in Gallons Per Hour

.25

.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

 3.0 4.0 5.0
4 .10 .20 .40 .60 .80 1.00 1.20 1.60 2.00
6 .06 .12 .25 .40 .50 .66 .80 1.06 1.30
8 .05 .10 .20. .30 .40 .50 .60 .80 1.00
10 .04 .08 .16 .25 .32 .40 .48 .64 .80
12 .03 .06 .12 .20 .24 .33 .40 .53 .67
15 .025 .05 .10 .16 .20 .27 .32 .43 .53
20 .02 .04 .08 .12 .16 .20 .27 .32 .40
30 .0125 .025 .05 .08 .10 .13 .16 .21 .27
40 .01 .02 .04 .06 .08 .10 .12 .16 .20
50 .008 .016 .03 .05 .06 .08 .10 .13 .16
60 .006 .012 .025 .04 .05 .07 .08 .10 .13
80 .005 .01 .02 .03 .04 .05 .06 .08 .10
100 .004 .008 .016 .025 .03 .04 .05 .06 .08
6

Conversion Chart

Mesh

Width of Opening In Inches

Microns

40

 .015 380

60

 .010 260

80

 .007 180

100

 .006 140
120 .0046 117
140 .0041 105
200 .0029 74
400 .0011 37 
Formula For Estimating Precipitation 
Rates In Inches Per Hour


PR = GPH X 1.6
	AREA

PR = Precipitation
AREA = Area in Sq. Feet
GPH = Gallons Per Hour

Example: What is the precipitation rate 
with a 25 gallon perhour mini-sprinkler 
that covers an area of 200 square feet?

Answer: PR = 25 X 1.6  = .20" Per Hour
		200