Review lawn zones and nozzle ratings, measure precipitation and uniformity with catch cups, and set a documented watering trial.
Map turf, planted borders, slopes, hard surfaces, shade and obstructions. Identify which heads operate together and where overspray or runoff already occurs. Check local watering limits and keep plant groups with different requirements on suitable programs.
Identify the installed heads and nozzles, their specified pressure and precipitation characteristics. Review spacing and arc with the manufacturer’s charts and the measured operating conditions. Ask the designer or installer to resolve pipe, valve and pressure limitations.
Set equal-opening cups at representative positions in one zone and keep their locations. Run the zone for a measured duration under recorded wind and pressure conditions. Read water depths in one unit; retain zeros and note spill or placement errors before repeating the test.
Choose a target amount from local turf/crop and soil evidence. Convert it to average-depth runtime with the measured catch rate. Test the program while observing runoff and wet areas; repair uneven coverage before compensating with longer operation.
Record the date, cup positions, raw depths, run time, nozzle changes and resulting program. Repeat in comparable conditions after repairs, nozzle replacement or layout changes. Keep seasonal observations and update the controller when water needs change.
Keep the zone map, head locations and observed coverage problems. · Record nozzle models, matched-rate evidence and the installer’s hydraulic assumptions. · Keep the complete audit and maintenance log.
Use Sprinkler catch test for mean depth per hour and sampled lower-quarter uniformity. · Convert an entered target average depth into runtime using the measured sprinkler catch rate.
Estimate ET and a simplified rain-adjusted budget only when the crop/reference coefficient is appropriate.
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Average collected depth divided by run time gives mean precipitation rate. DUlq compares the lowest-quarter average with the overall average; it describes sampled distribution and is not automatically application efficiency.
An ET estimate requires a coefficient appropriate to the vegetation and reference surface. A regional crop coefficient is not a universal lawn schedule.
Four depths of 4, 5, 5 and 6 mm collected in 20 minutes average 5 mm. The rate is 15 mm/hour and DUlq is 80%. A chosen 10 mm average target takes 40 minutes if conditions remain the same.
Record which heads wet paths or buildings and correct the layout or adjustment.
A calm test and a windy test may measure different distributions. Keep conditions with the result.