TX-442-GS-1
LPIC
For Statewide Use
Natural Resources Conservation Service
CONSERVATION PRACTICE GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
SPRINKLER SYSTEM
INSTALLATION OF A NEW SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH A LOW PRESSURE, IN-CANOPY (LPIC) SPRINKLER NOZZLE PACKAGE
(Ac.)
Code 442
for
Click here to enter Name of Owner/Operator & Contract Number
I.SCOPE
The work shall consist of furnishing and installing a new linear or center-pivot sprinkler irrigation system, equipped from beginning to end of the sprinkler lateral with a Low Pressure, In-Canopy (LPIC) sprinkler nozzle package. It does not include any irrigation pipeline or electrical wiring to the sprinkler system.
II.LOCATION
The sprinkler system and its components shall be located as shown on furnished drawings/map or as staked in the field.
III.PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UTILITIES
A.Utilities are defined to be overhead and underground power or communication lines, and pipelines. The contractor should conduct their own search and discovery for utilities in order to lessen or avoid potential damages. Other buried infrastructure, such as landowner-installed drainage tile, private water lines, or electrical lines, are the responsibility of the landowner to locate. The owner/operator shall complete TX-ENG-80A, Utilities Inventory, during planning and return it to the NRCS representative.
B.The owner/operator shall also ensure that TX-ENG-80B, Cooperator Confirmation of the Utility Locator Service, is completed and returned to the NRCS representative prior to layout or any ground disturbance.
C.Cooperators, sponsoring organizations, and/or contractors shall be liable for damage to utilities and damage resulting from disruption of service caused by installation activities. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) makes no representation on the existence or non-existence of any utilities. Absence of utilities on drawings is not assurance that no utilities are present at the site.
IV.ELECTRICAL WIRING, COMPONENTS AND PROTECTION
A.Extra care should be taken when working on or near electrical powered irrigation systems. Electric power shall be disconnected from the irrigation system prior to the installation of any sprinkler nozzle package.
B.ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. All electrical components, including wiring, boxes, and connectors, shall meet the requirements of the National Electric Code for the location and type of installation. Additionally, all installation and components shall also meet any local electrical requirements and obtain permits if required.
C.ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION. This conservation practice includes an electrical component which can present a safety hazard to you and others if not installed and operated correctly. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you hire a licensed electrician to inspect and/or install the electrical elements. The licensed electrician would be able to determine if your installation meets the applicable state and local regulations, including National Electric Code. You as the landowner/operator are responsible for the installed practice meeting all the applicable state and local regulations, including National Electric Code.
D.USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service will be performing a checkout/certification of the practice, but this checkout does not include any verification of the electrical components safetynor does it include any verification of compliance with NEC.
E.PROTECTION OF POWER SUPPLY. Power supply should be appropriately placed and protected to reduce the potential for accidental contact from machinery and personnel. If the power supply is located in an area that is reasonably accessible by machinery, it shall be protected by bollards or other appropriate measures.
I acknowledge the above Electrical Safety requirements and certify that they will be met.
Signature: ______Date: ______
V.INSTALLATION AND MATERIALS
A.All materials used in the installation of the sprinkler irrigation system including the LPIC sprinkler nozzle package shall be new and free from defects.
B.The nozzle shall discharge the water within the planned crop canopy between 12 to 36 inches of the soil surface depending on crop height. Lower nozzle heights will require a closer nozzle spacing to insure a high distribution uniformity. All LPIC nozzle heights shall be uniform above the soil surface when the system is operating. The optimum drop spacing is two crop rows, but drops may be spaced up to 10 feet apart. After installation, the system shall be pressure tested at the system operating pressure. All leaks shall be repaired to insure a leak-free system.
VI.LPIC SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
For optimum efficiency, circular rows should be used with center-pivot systems and straight rows should be used with linear systems. When farming in a circle pattern, straight rows can be utilized near the center of center-pivot systems for ease of farming operations. The land slope for a LPIC system shall not exceed 3.0 percent on more than 50 percent of the field. Field runoff of applied irrigation water is not allowed. Tillage and/or residue management should be utilized as necessary to control excessive translocation (> 30 ft.) of applied irrigation water. These could include furrow diking or pitting, in-furrow chiseling, or residue management such as limited or no tillage. Terraces may be required on steeper slopes (> 2 percent) to control rainfall and irrigation induced erosion.
VII.CHEMIGATION SAFETY
All applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations in regard to backflow prevention shall be followed in system installation. All irrigation distribution systems into which any type of chemical (except disinfecting agents) or other foreign substances will be injected into the water pumped from water wells shall be equipped with an in-line, automatic quick-closing check valve capable of preventing pollution of the ground water in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Part 4, Chapter 76.1007,”Technical Requirements – Chemical Injection, Chemigation, and Foreign Substance Systems”.
VIII.CERTIFICATION
A.The installing contractor shall furnish the Natural Resources Conservation Service a copy of the sprinkler nozzle design printout, which will be made part of the supporting records for the LPIC sprinkler system. This sprinkler design printout is the installing contractor’s certification that the sprinkler system was installed according to the design.
B.A field check of the installed LPIC sprinkler system will be made by NRCS personnel to compare the installed sprinkler nozzle package to the sprinkler nozzle design printout and to verify that all new materials were used in the LPIC sprinkler system installation. The installed nozzle package will be checked with center pivot evaluation software to insure that a Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu) of 90 percent or better is achieved.
IX.MEASUREMENT
The amount of the LPIC sprinkler system installed will be determined by measuring the length of the sprinkler system, in feet.
X.CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
A.Low Pressure, In-Canopy Sprinkler
B.Click here to enter Construction Details.
NRCS, Texas
January 2017