SRJC Course Outlines

12/7/2024 7:00:53 AMHORT 144 Course Outline as of Fall 2018

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  HORT 144Title:  LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION  
Full Title:  Landscape Irrigation
Last Reviewed:12/12/2023

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled2.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled35.00
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled3.006 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total5.00 Contact Total87.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  HORT 92.1

Catalog Description:
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Prepares students to design, install, maintain, and audit a water efficient landscape irrigation system. Topics include basic water supply, basic hydraulics, component identification and terminology, system layout, pipe sizing, and types of valves, heads, and controllers, and practices related to appropriate horticulture for California. Students who complete the course with a grade of "C" or better will be recognized as having completed an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved WaterSense Training Program.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100; AND CS 5 or proficiency in basic productivity software including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Prepares students to design, install, maintain, and audit a water efficient landscape irrigation system. Topics include basic water supply, basic hydraulics, component identification and terminology, system layout, pipe sizing, and types of valves, heads, and controllers, and practices related to appropriate horticulture for California. Students who complete the course with a grade of "C" or better will be recognized as having completed an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved WaterSense Training Program.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100; AND CS 5 or proficiency in basic productivity software including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Describe regional and local water storage and delivery systems
2. Identify the percent of the state's developed water supply used for landscape irrigation
3. Describe how water moves through the soil.
4. Identify irrigation system components on an irrigation plan.
5. Define the basic concepts of water pressure, flow, velocity and friction loss
6. Calculate water pressure and flow at key points (meter, valves, worst head) in a landscape
    irrigation system
7. Identify and describe the primary irrigation system components used in a typical landscape
    irrigation system
8. Space sprinkler heads and drip emitters for uniform application and specified precipitation
    rate.
9. Select and size pipe material based on use, water pressure, and flow for an irrigation plan.
10. Identify and select pipe fittings for the correct use in an irrigation plan
11. Specify heads, emitters, valves, backflow prevention and controller for a residential
    landscape plan.
12. Install PVC pipe, polyethylene tube, drip emitters, sprinkler heads, remote control valves,
    pressure reducers, filters, backflow prevention devices and/or controllers for a
    landscape irrigation system.
13. Program a controller for water-efficient system operation for a given site.
14. Describe the need for pumping/filtering irrigation water from city mains and private wells
15. Perform a water audit on a spray or rotor system to determine efficiency of the system
16. Apply the troubleshooting process to solve irrigation system problems of a given irrigation
    system
17. Prepare and present a cost estimate for an irrigation system from a given irrigation plan
18. Demonstrate professional work ethics and safety practices on the job site
19. Develop an efficient irrigation schedule for a given climate, landscape and irrigation system
20. Design a landscape irrigation system from a given landscape or plot plan
21. Explain the steps to installing a drip or micro spray system
22. Describe common techniques utilized to retrofit a conventional system to low volume

Topics and Scope
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I. California's Climate and Water Resources
    A. California's Mediterranean climate pattern
    B. Importance of winter rainfall and storage facilities
    C. Regional and local water distribution systems
    D. Statistics on landscape water use
II. Basic Hydraulics and Water Movement through Pipe
    A. Static pressure
    B. Dynamic (operating) pressure
    C. Flow gallons per minute (GPM)
    D. Velocity
    E. Friction loss
    F. Calculation of water forces at key system points.
III. Soil and Plant Water Relations
    A. Soil types and drainage/aeration characteristics
    B. Soil water holding capacity and rooting depth
    C. Water use of plant types
    D. Evapotranspiration (ET) concept and reference ET
    E. Infiltration rates of soils
IV. Water Supply
    A. City mains and service lines
    B. Soil water holding capacity and rooting depth
    C. Water quality
    D. Alternative water sources
    E. Sprinkler irrigation sources
    F. Drip or micro-spray irrigation systems
         1. Surface
         2. Subsurface
V. Assembly Methods and Installation of System Components
    A. Sprinkler heads, nozzles, and drip emitters
    B. Manual and remote control valves
    C. Backflow prevention devices
    D. Pressure regulators and filters
    E. Controllers and wiring
    F. Moisture-sensing devices
VI. Pipe, Hose / Tubing, and Fittings
    A. PVC pipe
    B. Polyethylene pipe
    C. Galvanized steel pipe
    D. Copper pipe
    E. Polyethylene hoses / tubing
VII. System Planning/Layout, Design, and Installation
    A. Available water pressure and flow at point of connection
    B. Watering zones (hydrozones)
    C. Head selection and placement
    D. Precipitation rates and head spacing
    E. Circuiting heads into valve groups
    F. Location of valves, main lines, and lateral lines
    G. Sizing valves and pipe
    H. Location of controller and sizing power and valve wires
    I. Controller programming and system operation check
    J. Design of landscape irrigation systems
    K. Installation of landscape and drip irrigation systems - layout, trenching, component
         assembly, system check, adjustment, backfill
VIII. Estimating Costs
    A. Irrigation plan reading and standard symbols
    B. Material take-off
    C. Supplier catalogs and price lists
IX. Water-Efficient System Operation
    A. Water audit method of determining system efficiency
    B. Use of California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) and other ET data resources
    C. Implementation of ET data in controller programming
    D. Troubleshooting problems
    E. Adjustments and repairs
    F. Local water agency assistance and resources
    G. Irrigation scheduling based on climate and type of system
    H. Model water efficient landscape ordinance
X. Professional Groups and Activities
    A. California Landscape Contractor's Association
    B. Irrigation Association Certification
    C. Landscape Industry Certified Technician
    D. National Association of Landscape Professionals (formerly PLANET)
    E. QWEL (Qualified Water Effiecient Landscaper)
 
All topics covered in lecture will also be covered in lab.

Assignments:
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Lecture-Related Assignments:
1. Prepare and present a detailed cost-estimate for a given irrigation system design
2. Quizzes (2 - 5), Midterm and Final Exam
 
Lab-Related Assignments:
1. Field trip and lab reports
2. Install PVC Pipe, sprinkler heads, remote control valves, backflow prevention devices and/or
    controller for a landscape irrigation system
3. Program a controller for water-efficient system operation for a given site
4. Perform a water audit on a spray or rotor system to determine system efficiency
5. Design a landscape irrigation system for a given landscape or plan

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
0 - 10%
Field trip and lab reports
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
20 - 40%
Program a controller for water-efficient system operation; Perform a water audit on a spray or rotor system; Prepare and present a detailed cost-estimate
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
20 - 40%
Install PVC Pipe, sprinkler heads, remote control valves, backflow prevention devices and/or controller for a landscape irrigation system. Design a landscape irrigation system for a given landscape
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
30 - 60%
Quizzes, midterm, final: multiple choice, true/false, matching items, completion
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 10%
Attendance and participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Principles of Irrigation. 3rd ed. Irrigation Association. 2015
Irrigation. 6th ed.  Irrigation Association. 2011 (classic)
Landscape Training Manual for Irrigation Technicians. Professional Landcare Network. 2011 (classic)

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