The Common Problems ofIrrigation Installation ProjectsProper communication and planning helpavoid mistakes during new irrigation projects.BY BRIAN E. VINCHESI

Isyour golf course thinking aboutor in the process of installing a newirrigation system or upgrading your

old system? If so, you'll want to avoidthe common problems of golf courseirrigation system installations. Follow-ing are a number of things that canhappen and suggestions on how toavoid them during an irrigation project.There are installation concerns as wellas administrative concerns that need tobe considered and watched out for.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNSBefore the project begins, the bound-aries of the golf course, easements,underground public utilities (rights ofway), and regulated natural resourceareas need to be identified and added tothe site plan. This is necessary so thatthey are available on a site plan forpermitting and so that equipment is notinstalled on property that is not part ofthe golf course. Easements pertaining togas, sewer, and potable water supplies

require particular consideration, as thereare strict construction requirements forworking around them.

Identify early in the design processany planned or future modifications tothe golf course, including changed fair-way outlines, bunker and tee improve-ments, expanded putting surfaces, etc.,so that they can be accounted for in thenew irrigation system. You do not wantto replace or change any new designwork that already has been installed.

Proper pipe burial depth should be maintained throughout the entire irrigation system installation.

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Just mounding the trenches and waiting for settling is not the proper installation technique.New and existing grades should be evenly matched.

Trench settling will be obvious for years, and therefore trenches need to be properly compactedduring installation.

and what to expect so there are nosurpnses.

Make sure that there is a competentcontractor's foreman on site for theentire duration of the project and anassistant foreman with defined and clearlines of communication to the golfcourse management. The foremanshould be responsible for all aspects ofthe project, including change orders,schedule, etc., so this person can dealwith any issues that arise. The foremanshould have previous golf courseexperience and should have installedthe selected manufacturer's equipment.

Have the contractor keep a dailywritten log of progress, which should ,be copied to the golf course superin-tendent and other responsible parties ona weekly basis. Keep the contractor onschedule. If they fall behind, find outwhy and, together with the contractor,determine how to get them back onschedule. Track the number of workerseach day.The number should stay veryconsistent, indicating whether or notthe contractor will be on schedule. Ifthe number of workers starts to dropconsistently, speak to the owner of thecontracting company about staffingrequirements and bring the projectback on schedule.

tractor directly to complain or giveadvice. Complaints should be funneledthrough the general manager, the club's(owner's) project manager, or a desig-nated officer of the club. Clearly andregularly communicate to all members,players, etc., the construction process sothat everyone knows what is going on

Make sure the board understands thatan irrigation system is a long-terminvestment and that they would be wiseto account for as many future changesas possible before the new irrigationsystem is installed.

Local code and permit issues areimportant to any project and are theresponsibility of whoever designed thesystem. However, as an owner, you wantto make sure that all codes and permit-ting issues have been adhered to andobtained, as non-conformance will be-come the golf course's liability. Typically,in to day's world, some sort of environ-mental disturbance permit is going tobe required for a golf course irrigationsystem installation.

Communicate daily with the golfers/members about what is going on withthe construction via signage, e-mails, orposts to the golf course's web site. Letthem know at the first tee or pro shopwhat holes are going to be closed andwhere on the golf course they will runinto construction. A set procedureshould also be in place to deal withcomplaints. You do not want a situationwhere anyone can speak to the con-

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Proper compaction, in lifts. with mechanical equipment is an important consideration in the installation process.

It is imperative that accurate draw-ings of the installed system be providedat the end of the project, and, if at allpossible, as the project proceeds. Therecord drawing should be required bythe contract and funds should be with-held from final retainage until thedrawing is provided and assessed foraccuracy and completeness.

It is to the project's advantage tomake prompt payments to the contrac-tor for the work completed. Percent ofwork completed should be paid to thecontractor minimally within the con-tract terms if not sooner. Remember, apaid contractor is a happy contractor.

OPERATIONAl/INSTAllATION CONCERNSMake sure that all utilities have beenmarked by a responsible marking entity.This may include the golf course'sprivate utilities being marked at a costto the course. You should receive a copyof the contractor's registration numberfor the marking of any public utilities.Include in the specifications that thecontractor cannot start excavating untilyou have a copy of that registration

number. To prevent down time for thecontractor and disasters on the golfcourse, provide as much information asavailable for locations of existing irriga-tion pipe, wires, drains, utilities, ete.Even with good information, existingutilities will be hit and broken. Be readyto deal with these issues in a quick andprofessional manner. Drainage lines willbe an issue. Be prepared to repair themwhen damaged, as typically the con-tractor is only responsible for fixingdamaged lines that were marked. Dam-age to unmarked drainage lines is theresponsibility of the golf course.

One of the biggest issues with irriga-tion system installations is achieving theright burial depth for the pipe. The irri-gation system designer will have speci-fied a depth of cover for the pipe, forinstance, of 16 inches over laterals. Thedepth may vary with pipe size, depend-ing on the system specifications. Depthis important, as it protects the pipe andwire and makes the swing joint supportthe sprinklers properly, as well as mak-ing sure the system is not damaged byongoing maintenance operations, suchas deep-tine aeration.

Settling can be an issue. This includessettling over trenches and around valveboxes and sprinklers. Settling can beminimized by properly compacting thetrenches at the time of backfill. Back-filling should be accomplished in liftsof approximately 6 inches at a time.Mounding up of trenches for futuresettling or water settling of trenches isnot acceptable. Mechanical equipmentsuch as jumping jacks and sheep footrollers should be used. After trenchingon existing turf, getting the grade ofthe trenches to nlatch existing gradeand.to have a seamless transition isdifficult, but it can be acconlplishedwith good installation techniques anddue diligence. A 3,000- to 5,000-poundvibratory ride-on roller can help in thissituation.

Electrical wiring in trenches shouldbe installed loosely, with plenty ofslack. The wire should not be installeddirectly off the wire rolls. The wiresshould be pulled off the rolls first andthen installed, because stretched wireraises the resistance and puts strain onthe wire connectors. Additionally,plenty of slack should be left at splices

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Wire should be laid, not pulled directly off the roll.

and changes-of-direction, allowing forexpansion and maintenance. Are fansneeded at any of the greens? Electricalprovisions can be easily and affordablyaccommodated when the irrigationsystem is being installed. Considerincorporating conduit and electricalupgrades for future fan needs into theoverall electrical scheme.

Clearly outline staging areas for thecontractor to work from, and specifyexpectations for an overall professionalappearance. For example, require shirtsto be worn.You also will want to re-quire dumpsters, construction trailers,and chemical toilets to keep fromhaving the golf course's own facilitiesused, dirtied, and damaged.

The new irrigation system needs tobe flushed thoroughly to prevent debrisfrom entering the sprinklers uponstartup. The more debris that is allowedto enter the system, the more problems

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you will have on startup, and the moremaintenance problems will be encoun-tered in the first year.

Do not let the contractor spread outthrough the golf course. Keep the workcontained in as small an area as possible,preferably one hole or less.The moretimes members or players interact withthe construction, the more complaintsthere will be and the less likely theywill be to continue playing during theproject. This is no time to lose revenueswhen this much money is being spent.The installation requirements need tobe clearly defined in the contract;otherwise, you will find the contractorworking on many different areas of thegolf course, doing various things, andnever finishing anything.

Trash is always a big problem with aconstruction project of this size. Thecontractor's workers should pick up alltheir trash from the golf course as they

work. This includes boxes, tape, excesswire, bottles, cans, etc. Do not let thecontractor use an open trench or holeas a trash receptacle. All trash should becarted off to a dumpster and disposedof in a safe and legal manner.

Restoration is the biggest problemwith irrigation system construction.Ideally, a golfer will not notice that newirrigation has been installed. For this tobe accomplished, there needs to be aclear set of requirements of what therestored work is to look like. Who isresponsible for what should be welldefined in the specifications and as partof the contract. Many times a club takesresponsibility for some of this work;however, it is not advised, as it justclouds the areas of responsibility andoften leads to disagreement.

There are options. Is sod going tobe cut, removed, and replaced on thetrenches, or are they just going to be

seeded or sprigged? In southern areas, isthe bermudagrass going to be grownback over the trenches, or will it besodded? If seeded or sodded, what isthe loam requirement in inches andtype? Avoid reseeding or sodding intosubsoil. What is the seeding rate andvariety? Is a starter fertilizer needed,and what about mulch? Who is pro-viding what, and who is responsible forinstalling/ applying it? If using eithersod or seed, who is responsible forwatering it, and for how long?

Rocky conditions, poorly budgetedfor or not budgeted at all, can make thedifference between a successful and afailed project. Rocky conditions takemore time to deal with and can have asignificant effect on the schedule. Rocksmake more of a mess, causing moredamage and requiring more cleanup.Worse, rocks make irrigation systeminstallation project costs increase rapidly,so rock quantities need to be carefullyprojected, documented, and controlled.

Limit the number or completelyeliminate the use of vehicles by thecontractor on the golf course. The con-tractor should be using tractors andutility vehicles, just like the mainte-nance staff. Pickups, vans, and personalvehicles on the course damage the golfcourse unnecessarily, even if they arestaying on the cart path.

CONCLUSIONAs with any large construction project,things will go wrong, and in the endnot everyone will be happy. However, ifyou watch out for the common prob-lems mentioned above, issues should bekept to a minimum and most partieswill be satisfied with the result. Com-munication is the key to a projectcoming in on time and on budgetwithout problems.

BRIANVINCHESI is president if IrrigationConsulting, Inc., afull-service consulting

firm with cffices in Massachusetts, Vi1ginia,North Carolina, and New Jersey. The firmhas worked on more than 260 golf courseirri-gation projects nationwide and internationally.

Rock can add significantlyto the irrigation system installation cost. These conditions need to becarefully budgeted.

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