SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

I'm in the design phase and I want to make sure I can account for the unknowns.

How much wind does one account for in designing a sprinkler system? I'm reading the
PGP nozzle performance chart and it documents for example on nozzle 2 at 40psi the max
throw distance is 30 feet. This obviously needs to be adjusted to account for wind but the
question is how much. For example if the wind is not exceeding 5mph do you find the nozzle
that throws the distance you need from the chart and grab the next nozzle up? The water at
the max throw distance is also not quantified but is that an issue if you design for head to
head coverage? I'm just thinking it might be if you don't account for the wind factor.

I'm guessing here that you need to turn the sprinkler system off once the wind speed exceeds
your design allowance.

Thanks for the response jcruce13.

Is it really that simple? Hunter's website even suggest adjusting the rotor for local conditions because their nozzle charts are based on zero wind. I just find it hard to believe that you only make adjustments in windy climates. The streams coming from these rotors to go 30' are thin. The nozzle I spoke of before has a flow rate of .8 gpm, which is less output than my shower head. I would think a wind speed of 5mph would affect these streams easily. Low angle nozzles have a much higher flow output than regular nozzles. The output can be 3 to 4 times that of a regular nozzle so I want to reserve their use to avoiding an obstruction.

Yes I can change the nozzles in the future but I can't move rotors out of zones if I need more flow to compensate for the wind later on. Can others comment on nozzles they use having flow rates of 1.5 gpm or less and how the stream is affected by a wind speed of say between 5 - 10mph.

The reason I ask is the average wind speed in my area is between 5-10 mph during the spring and summer.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/avgwind.html

Interesting. So I should design my rotors using nozzles that have a minimum flow of 1.5 gpm to compensate for the wind in my area. Thanks for the input Wet Boots. I'll keep that in mind.