Copper Tube Handbook: Irrigation and Agricultural Sprinkler Systems

Irrigation systems are necessities in arid agricultural areas, and sprinkling systems for maintaining landscaped areas are being used increasingly. Regardless of type or size of system, many successful installations testify that copper is the ideal tube material for the lines.

With the aid of pressure loss and velocity relationships shown in Figure 2 and the instruction contained in the literature of pump and sprinkler manufacturers, plumbers can lay out a copper tube watering system to service lawns, crops or golf courses.

System lines should be laid deep enough to avoid mechanical damage by tools and they should be pitched to drain freely. Where freezing can be expected, the system should be installed below the frost line.

Expansion and contraction should not be a problem as long as lines are not rigidly anchored.