Site Manager Certification Course

Course Description:

Water conservation is becoming increasingly important for any person involved in managing irrigation systems.  This renewed emphasis on water management requires irrigation technicians, landscapers, and facility managers improve their irrigation management skills. 

The Irrigation Site Manager course is an introduction to the principles of operation and management of irrigation systems, specifically as applied to operating costs and water efficiency.  The course will cover basic irrigation components, sprinkler performance, obtaining site information, developing maintenance procedures, distribution systems, control systems, codes and standards. 

Who should take this course? 

• Irrigation contractors who want to improve their understanding of water conservation
• Irrigation technicians who maintain systems
• Irrigation workers seeking to improve their skills
• Landscapers who maintain sites
• Facilities managers who wish to improve their knowledge of irrigation concepts
• Water conservation professionals who wish to understand irrigation and methods for conserving water

Course Timeline/Topics:

1.      Introduction

2.      How to obtain site information necessary for proper site management:

• Developing an accurate plot plan or site drawing
• Determining the type of landscaping and water requirement for a specific site
• Identifying environmental traits such as soil type and weather for a specific site
• Identifying unique site conditions that might affect design or installation
• Identifying possible water sources and selecting appropriate source
• Reading and explaining an as-built drawing

3.   Understanding of underground piping systems used in the irrigation industry:

• Diagnosing low and high pressure conditions that result from damaged piping, faulty installation, and clogged piping
• Repairing zone lines using solvent weld fittings
• Repairing main lines using mechanical joint MJ couplings

4.   Understanding of irrigation system components:

• Identifying various irrigation system types such as rotors, sprays, and drip
• Explaining the process of time clock selection
• Explaining the process of valve selection
• Explaining the process of sprinkler head selection
• Explaining the process of low-voltage wire selection
• Understanding underground piping systems

5.  Understanding of sprinkler performance:

• Diagnosing sprinkler distribution problems
• Measuring and analyzing precipitation rates
• Identifying unique site conditions that might affect installation

6.  Understanding of control systems used in irrigation installation and repair:

• Developing watering schedules and setting control timers
• Diagnosing control systems using test meters and wire tracking equipment
• Isolating problems into one of three areas for repair:  control timer, field wiring, and control valve
• Repairing or replacing an automatic control timer
• Repairing/splicing field wiring
• Repairing/replacing faulty parts on the irrigation control valve

7.  Developing overall operating and maintenance procedures:

• Developing an efficient site watering schedule
• Obtaining product maintenance information
• Explaining how to develop an “as-built” drawing
• Developing a maintenance plan and budget
• Using landscape square footage to determine watering and maintenance schedule

8.  Irrigation codes and standards and how they apply to developing proper site management procedures:

• Explaining the role of the Florida Irrigation Society Standards
• Explaining the role of landscape/Xeriscape ordinances
• Explaining the role of “Appendix F”
• Explaining the role of water restrictions

9.  Written Examination