Aquatek Irrigation Pty. Ltd.

1.1 Introduction

Aquatek Irrigation Pty. Ltd. has been commissioned by Rain Bird International to independently evaluate the performance and water saving features of the Rain Bird 5000PRS Pop-up Sprinkler. This report is intended to provide supporting evidence for evaluation of the product for the Smart Approved Watermark scheme in Australia.

1.2 Methodology

The testing program and analysis is as follows:

1. Test the flow versus pressure relationship of the RB5000 as well as other performance comparable market brands. The other brands chosen were the Hunter PGP and the Toro V1550 Pop-up sprinklers. All sprinklers were tested with a range of comparable nozzles selected to represent quarter, half and full circle sprinklers in a matched precipitation system.
2. Create a typical in field scenario (desktop) and apply two scenarios:
   • A high operating pressure scenario which often occurs where users do not set sprinkler pressures (i.e. the system operates at maximum pressure capacity) or there are fluctuating mainline pressures.
   • A wide operating pressure range across sprinklers operating at the same time. This occurs when there are excessive pressure losses commonly by using too small a pipe diameter.
3. Analyse the results and report on water saving features of the product (if evident).

1.3 Performance Testing

The performance testing was carried out using a base mounted Pressure Gauge (i.e. under the sprinkler), adjusting the pressure and measuring the flow (volume over time to the nearest second).

1.4 Flow versus Pressure Test Results

The performance testing on the products returned the following results:

All products tested were comparable with their published performance charts. The Rain Bird 5000PRS demonstrated it's pressure regulation from 300 to 500 kPa as published.

1.5 Typical Sprinkler Layout

A typical sprinkler layout used for comparisons is as shown below:

[Diagram: A square grid of 9 sprinklers. The sprinklers are labeled as FC (Full Circle), HC (Half Circle), and QC (Quarter Circle). The layout shows a pattern of sprinklers with different coverage patterns.

LEGEND:

• Sprinkler FC
• Sprinkler HC
• Sprinkler QC

The diagram shows a 3x3 grid of sprinklers. The top-left sprinkler is FC, top-middle is HC, top-right is QC. The middle-left is HC, middle is FC, middle-right is HC. The bottom-left is QC, bottom-middle is HC, bottom-right is FC.

Dimensions are indicated with 'x' and 'y' on the diagram, suggesting spacing between sprinklers.

1.6 Scenario Analysis

Two typical scenarios were evaluated as follows:

1.7 Summary

The testing and analysis supports that the Rain Bird 5000PRS is a water saving product due to the pressure regulation it employs.

Whilst each field application of the product has differing variables effecting outcomes, these are the same for all product so this report has focused on the scenarios that make this product different to other comparable ones.

The Rain Bird 5000PRS demonstrates water savings in the order of 30 to 45% when compared to non pressure regulated product.

A non measured water saving (due to its variable nature) of the 5000PRS is wind effects of fine droplets from sprinklers operating at higher pressure. This can be significant but was not measured as part of this report but was noted in operating the various product.