On March 28, 2008, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) office delivered a potentially fatal blow to opponents of residential fire sprinkler requirements. For those not familiar with the USFA, it is an entity of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In other words, this is the highest government agency in the United States focused on reducing life and economic losses due to fire.

The USFA released an official video and document announcing their support for the use of residential fire sprinklers and their support of code requirements that would make residential fire sprinklers mandatory in all new residential construction.

So what impact does this have on residential fire sprinkler requirements? Well, immediately it has little significant impact since the USFA does not directly control the building and fire codes. But, the USFA is a highly visible federal entity that works through research, data gathering and public education to influence the building and fire codes used in the United States.

The USFA’s public support of residential fire sprinklers adds a shot of adrenaline to the movement for mandated residential fire sprinklers. Public education on the benefits of residential fire sprinklers will increase and fire service professionals will have a new wave of energy to publicly voice their support.

For many, this official position signals that it is an inevitable reality that residential fire sprinklers will be required in all new home construction in the United States. Others are patiently waiting on the sidelines to see how those opposing residential fire sprinkler requirements will react.

At the center of this intensifying debate are the proposed code changes to the International Residential Code (IRC) which, if passed, will mandate residential fire sprinklers in all new home construction. The IRC is part of the International Building Code (IBC), which is widely adopted as law throughout the United States.

The next revision of the IRC will be published in 2009 and all proposed changes must receive final approval at the September 2008 hearing to be included in this next revision.

A special coalition has been formed with a primary mission to get the votes necessary to passed code changes to the IRC that will require residential fire sprinklers with a zero square foot tolerance. This IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition is formed as a non-profit organization and provides the many supporters of home fire sprinkler requirements an opportunity to support their voting government officials to ensure these code changes are approved.

Support includes both encouraging voting government officials to vote ?yes? on the codes changes and fundraising to cover travel expenses that will be incurred for voting government officials to be present at the September hearing.

The primary opposition has been the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), which views residential fire sprinkler requirements as unnecessary and too expensive for the benefits they provide; their argument that smoke alarms are sufficient for home fire safety has been countered with firm opposition from the fire prevention and fire fighting communities.

You can bet that with the USFA’s official position now made public, the debate of residential fire sprinklers will continue to heat up leading to the September 2008 hearings.

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Technorati Tags: sprinklers, yard watering

Are you thinking about installing a lawn sprinkler system, and just not sure if you can do it? Well, you’re certainly not alone as sprinkler systems are more popular than ever these days. Regardless of whether you’re considering a Rainbird sprinkler system, Hunter sprinkler system, or any other lawn sprinkler, being able to do-it-yourself can seem like a daunting task. Here is a quick rundown on installing a lawn sprinkler system.

To get started you’re going to need to know the measurements of your yard and the area where you plan on watering. Layout where you would like to place your sprinkler heads. You’ll also want to think about where you’re going to locate the valve boxes.

Don’t think your plan needs to be drawn up like a professional landscaper would do, but you’ll want to write in as many details as you can. You’ll need to know this in order to buy your lawn sprinkler supplies. You need to know the answers to questions like; how many sprinkler heads do I need? How much pipe will I need? By sketching out a plan you’ll have the answers you need.

Next, you will need to have your utility companies come out and locate underground utility lines. I can’t stress the importance of this step enough. If you don’t do this and you dig up a line, you’re responsible for all damages that occur. It doesn’t cost a dime to have this done, and it could easily prevent you from ruturing a gas line or other utility. Be smart and have this done for you.

Your next step after knowing where your utility lines are laid out is to begin digging for your sprinkler water lines. You can use a can of spray paint to mark out the grid system and help you know where to dig. When it comes to digging, you can either dig out the lines by hand with a shovel, or you can use a trenching machine. I don’t think I need to tell you how much hard work it will be to dig out the lines by hand. You can easily rent out a trencher at your local rental store on a per day basis. It’s relatively inexpensive, and the time and labor it will save you is well worth the extra expense. Unless you’re just wanting to get a good workout in, go the trenching route.

Once you’ve laid out the pipe you can begin connecting it all together. Attach the sprinkler heads and connect the pipe to your various valve boxes and you’re basically ready to go.

When looking at how to install a lawn sprinkler system, the biggest issues are time and patience. It will probably take the average do it yourselfer about a week to accomplish, unless you have a crew of family and friends helping you. It will also depend on your landscape. How big is your yard? What type of soil do you have? If it’s clay then things will take a little longer, especially if digging by hand.

Installing a lawn sprinkler system is not that difficult, and you’ll enjoy the results of your efforts for many years to come.

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You can find much more information on Installing A Lawn Sprinkler System as well as more information on all types of sprinklers at http://www.SprinklersA-z.com

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When planning the installation of a sprinkler system, it’s important to take several things into consideration: the area you need to cover, your budget, local legal codes, and the type of garden you have.

* Decide how much of your yard needs irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Lawns are probably the biggest water hogs. Vegetables and flowers need constant moisture during the growing season. Shrubs and trees with deeper roots can get by with less frequent watering. You can irrigate all of these plants with the same system, set at different intervals and employing various types of sprinkler heads.

* For flat ground and very absorbent soils like sand, a spray sprinkler system may be the best choice. These are available in pop-up models, which come out of the ground at preset times, and fixed models, which are permanently attached to pipes. A rotor head sprinkler system is similar, except that it rotates, which allows for a better distribution of water. It can also reach farther away, so you won’t need to install as much piping.

* Irrigation Sprinklers are used on farms, golf courses, residential yards, and other places to water crops, lawns, gardens or other plants in the event of drought. They are also used for recreation or as a cooling system.

* Fire sprinklers are an active fire protection measure subject to stringent bounding. They are connected to a fire suppression system that consists of overhead pipes fitted with sprinkler heads throughout the coverage area. Fire sprinkler systems for high-rises are usually also equipped with a fire pump, and a jockey pump and are tied into the fire alarm system.

* Although historically only used in factories and large commercial buildings, home and small building systems are now available at a relatively cost-effective price. A sprinkler system that is not buried has to be blown out with compressed air at the beginning of each winter to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting . If you live in a cold area, it is a good idea to invest in an underground sprinkler system to prevent problems with frost and to save money in the long run.

* Look into drip or micro-irrigation systems (low volume, low pressure), which work very effectively in flower and vegetable beds that change from year to year. Drip-system kits, starting at Rs 1000 or so, are easy to install; use underground emitters that drip slowly or above-ground emitters that drip, mist or spray at a low-pressure rate. Use drip lines and emitters to water container plants, especially if you are often away from home during the growing season. You’ll find inexpensive kits designed for just this purpose.

Whatever you choose, make sure to ask lots of questions. The better prepared you are before making your purchase, the longer you will enjoy your sprinkler system without having to worry about problems.

Find more about Sprinkler System at http://www.ShoppingSoLow.com.

About the Author

Vinay Choubey

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1. Full Automation

The permanent, in-ground sprinkler system can be hook up to a timer and your lawn will receive the water it need without your intervention. Simply set the timer to the time you want your lawn to receive water (usually in the morning) and you are done.

2. Even Distribution of Water

You decide where your sprinkler heads will be placed so that your lawn will be evenly watered without runoff. Of course, this requires some planning and you may want to engage a lawn care consultant to help you.

3. Save water

By connecting the permanent, in-ground sprinkler system to appropriate sensors, you can water your lawn only when it is necessary. For example, you can connect a soil moisture sensor and your permanent, in-ground sprinkler system will kick into action when it detect that there is not enough moisture in the soil.

You can also connect it to a rain sensor so that the permanent, in-ground sprinkler system will shut off automatically when it rains.

4. Flexibility

A permanent, in-ground sprinkler system gives you a lot of flexibility. You have full control on how much water to apply, when to apply water, which part of the lawn to water and the spray pattern that you want to use for watering your lawn.

After you have installed a permanent, in-ground sprinkler system, you still have to keep an eye on the system to ensure that it is working properly. You may have to adjust the timer according to the seasons or turn if off during the winter period.

Observe how your lawn is responding to the sprinkler system. If any part of your lawn start to dry out and die, there may be a clog in the sprinkler head in that area. If there is too much water in one part of your lawn, there may be a leakage in the sprinkler system.

You should also check the valve box to ensure it is not full of water. If it is, one of the valves is probably leaking and you need to fix it as soon as possible. This may be due to a broken gasket or worn washer.

It is not cheap to install a permanent, in-ground sprinkler system but consider the amount of time it can save you, this is one option that you should seriously take into consideration.

Technorati Tags: sprinkler installers, landscapers, irrigation specialists

You know that watering your lawn is an important part of lawn care but you have limited time to do it. Other than hiring someone to do it for you, you can set up a portable sprinkler to do the job for you.

A portable sprinkler is particularly useful if you have a small lawn since it can be chore to move it around by hand for a large lawn. If you live in an area with reasonable amount of rainfall, the portable sprinkler can be use to supplement rainfall when the occasional drought period arise.

You can shop for a portable sprinkler easily in any well-stocked nursery or hardware store. Review the information on the sprinkler box. It should indicate the size and shape of the area it can cover.

There are many designs for portable sprinkler and you should evaluate carefully which one will meet your needs. Some models allow you to cover odd-shaped lawn while other may have a tractor system that can move along the water hose.

After you purchase your portable sprinkler, you will want to do a test to see how it performs. In particular you want to know how much water it is using to cover your lawn. First, place the portable sprinkler at the center of your lawn and turn it on for about ten seconds. You want to know exactly how much area it can cover. After ten seconds, turn the portable sprinkler off and place about seven or eight empty cups in the area covered by the portable sprinkler. Turn on the portable sprinkler again and leave it running for ten minutes.

After ten minutes, turn off the portable sprinkler and check the amount of water for each cup. The amount in each cup will vary, as portable sprinklers tend to have uneven water distribution. However, the variation should not be more than 0.25 inch. You will use the cup that has the least amount of water for your estimation. Lets assume that there is 0.2 inch of water in the cup with the least amount of water. If you want to apply 0.5 inch of water, you will have to leave the portable sprinkler running for 25 minutes.

A good hose is also vital for your portable sprinkler to work efficiently. A good hose will roll up easily in any weather and does not kink or crack. A cheap hose will give you more maintenance headaches down the road as it tend to kink and crack after using it for some times. You will also waste precious water due to leakage from the cheap hose.

It is also advisable to hook up a timer between your faucet and your hose. You simply set up the timer and it will shut off the sprinkler automatically after the set amount of time has elapsed. This will prevent any wastage of water.

Once you have everything set up properly, you will want to monitor the response of your lawn and adjust the water application accordingly. The portable sprinkler may not cover a few spots in your lawn and you will have to do the watering manually for these spots. Nevertheless, with the introduction of a portable sprinkler, the time you spent watering your lawn will be dramatically reduced and you can have more time to relax and do the things you want to do.

About the Author

Jack Greenwood is the webmaster of GreenLawnCareTips.com which provide information on lawn care and simple lawn watering tips tips. Sign up for your free 7-part Green Lawn Care mini course at http://greenlawncaretips.com today.

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Many people ask if an underground sprinkler system is really worth it? Does it really help improve your lawn and landscape in general? Will, I think you probably already know the answer. Yes, an underground sprinkler system will help green up your yard as well as provide you with an incredible convenience.

We all are envious when we see that lush green lawn down the street. It tells everyone that the homeowner takes good care of their landscaping. But, what you may not realize is that some of this care is done automatically with their underground sprinkler system.

The keys to having a green lawn are pretty basic. You need sunlight and water. Controlling the sunlight is out of your hands of course, but watering your grass is not. The problem most people have is taking the time to water their grass.

Who really has the time to chase around the lawn sprinkler attached to your garden hose? None of us do. That’s where an underground sprinkler system can be a big asset.

With a sprinkler system you get the benefits of:

-A scheduled time of watering your grass throughout the week. You set the schedule and the sprinkler system does the rest.

-The convenience of not having to move a lawn sprinkler around and keep track of how long you’ve watered an area, etc.

-Conservation. You won’t be wasting water by forgetting to move the sprinkler and having water going down the drain.

-The ability to water every area of your yard, including shrubs, small trees, and even your garden on a set watering schedule.

As you can see, having an underground sprinkler system is much more than a luxury or a convenience. It’s really a key element in having a happy and healthy lawn.

Yes, you’ll still need to mow the yard and put on the fertilizer and weed killer, but an underground sprinkler system will take care of the most important part; keeping your grass watered.

About the Author

Terry Edwards is the owner of SprinklersA-z, a website providing great information on lawn sprinklers. You can find out more about Underground Sprinkler Systems as well as more information on all types of sprinklers at http://www.SprinklersA-z.com

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If you already have a Rainbird Sprinkler System installed, then you probably already know what I’m talking about. But, if you’ve never had the benefits that a sprinkler system offers, then you should take some time and explore this landscaping area. A sprinkler system is a perfect home improvement addition for any home.

The sun is brutal on your grass during the hot summer months. Who has the time to play with an old garden hose connected to a lawn sprinkler? You constantly have to time it and move it across the yard all the time. It quickly becomes a huge hassle every week. Well, you can take some action and liven up that dead looking lawn. Before you know it a Rainbird Sprinkler System can have your yard the envy of the entire neighborhood. It will keep your grass looking its best all summer long.

It’s not only your lawn that will benefit from a Rainbird Sprinkler System, but it’s your entire landscape. Flowers, bushes, trees, plants and shrubs will also benefit from being on a watering schedule. All you have to do is set the timer up on the sprinkler system and it does all the work for you. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

With a Rainbird Sprinkler System you can be assured that you’re getting a top of the line sprinkler system. The company doesn’t cut corners or produce some piece of junk that will need replaced in a year or two down the road. Rainbird is an industry leader in providing quality sprinkler systems. Everything they manufacture is built to last for years.

If you haven’t sat down and taken a look at some of the great deals on Rainbird Sprinkler Systems, then I would encourage you to start today. Go online and take a look at what they have to offer. Their products will have any yard looking like a professionally landscaped masterpiece in a few shorts weeks. You can easily find a Rainbird Sprinkler System that will fit your budget and have your yard looking its best this next summer.

Technorati Tags: sprinkler installers, landscapers, irrigation specialists

Konwent has more than 18 years of experience in the fire protection industry, specifically focusing on municipal consulting for the last 13 years. As a professional who performs sprinkler reviews and inspections on a daily basis, he has noticed that there are five common problems he sees most often:

1. Improper Design Classification or Labeling

Occupancy and commodity classification definitions are found in Chapter Two of NFPA-13, but some designers depend too heavily on the examples provided in the appendix.

“For instance, a designer may classify a retail facility with storage as an ordinary hazard facility,” said Konwent, “but when the storage exceeds 12 feet in height it would be considered more of a storage facility. So Lowes, Home Depot, your Sam’s Club - any store in which items are stacked more than 12 feet high - have to meet a different set of requirements.”

Konwent added that properly labeling the plans is also paramount. “It would be impossible to determine the design criteria for a facility if the plans simply state the building is a warehouse facility,” he said, “but we frequently see plans that say just that.”

2. Missing or Inaccurate Water Flow Test Data

The drawings and hydraulic calculations must include the site of the flow test, and the date and time the test was conducted. The calculations must be taken to the point of the water flow test, not some fictitious or convenient point.

“You can’t use some fictitious footage,” said Konwent. “You can’t put 100 feet in your calculations when the flow test was actually taken 500 feet from the building.”

3. Installing the Wrong Sprinklers

It is important that the exact sprinkler indicated on the plans and hydraulic calculations is the sprinkler installed on the job site. There are numerous sprinklers available, each with a unique set of design criteria, flow pressure requirements, spacing requirements and specific obstruction rules. Installing the wrong sprinkler invalidates all the calculations and could put the building and its people at risk.

4. Inaccurate Hydraulic Calculations

“There are several areas in which mistakes can be made while performing a hydraulic calculation,” said Konwent. “You have all the pipe lengths, pipe sizes, elevation changes, fittings, and set pressure losses (such as backflow prevention devices) that must be included in the calculations. There are many inputs - any of which could adversely affect a system.”

5. Missing Design Documents

Chapter 8 of NFPA 13 lists approximately 44 items that must be indicated on your plans. If one of these items is neglected or missing, it may cause a number of issues that would have to be corrected later in the field. It is far more economical to find and correct these issues early in the design process.

Technorati Tags: yard watering, drip system, irrigation

Every responsible homeowner has smoke detectors, but few have any kind of automatic fire sprinkler system installed. It is true, that a house using a well-maintained smoke detector in every room is likely to detect a fire in its early stages, which greatly increases the chances of escaping safely, but for me, I want the best possible protection for my family.

I had never realize that there was more to fire prevention than smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and of course a house that is up to building codes until I began my job working in a manufacturer warehouse. It was only then that I noticed something that every industrial building has, but few homes do - something that can ultimately mean the difference between life and death in a fire. That something is, of course, automatic fire sprinklers.

Automatic fire sprinkler manufacturers have been making this equipment for factories, warehouses, and even in office buildings for many years, but have never quite made a complete foray into the consumer market. This is a shame, as they are such a logical extension of the smoke detector. The way that automatic fire sprinklers work is very simple. When heavy smoke is detected in a room, it sets off the sprinklers in the ceiling. These rain down a substantial amount of water - enough to quench a fire in its beginning stages, or to slow one that is more advanced.

Of course, automatic fire sprinklers do have their drawbacks which make them sort of problematic for a household environment. Having that much water raining down in a room can really put a damper on your day, so to speak. Carpets, books, clothing, and even walls can be ruined, and mildew growth can be stimulated by thoroughly soaking a room. This means that automatic fire sprinklers are not a good idea for the kitchen or adjoining rooms.

Of course, in the environment where automatic fire sprinklers are traditionally used, this is not a problem at all. Smoke in a kitchen might just mean a minor cooking accident, but smoke in a manufacturer warehouse almost always spells trouble. The same goes for an office building, or a factory. In the den, the bedrooms, and many hallways, however, automatic fire sprinklers just make sense. Although they are expensive, and do not absolutely eliminate the chance of fire, a good automatic fire sprinklers system is, in my opinion worth it because it does make my family somewhat safer.

About the Author

You can find much more information on Automatic Fire Sprinklers as well as more information on all types of sprinklers at http://www.sprinklersa-z.com.

Technorati Tags: yard sprinklers, yard irrigation, watering

There is a new trend that has gained recently popularity with people that take care of their garden. This trend is the traveling sprinkler.

The traveling sprinkler is a twist in the regular sprinkler. Usually with a regular sprinkler the user will have to set up the device in a position where they would like to water their grass.

Once this spot on the grass is watered, the person must then mover the device to a different are where they would like to water, turn the sprinkler on and repeat this process until the rest of their lawn is watered. One major advantage to the traveling sprinkler is the automation.

Automation

People that are busy and don’t have the time to keep an eye on the sprinkler to know when to move it absolutely love the traveling sprinkler. You just set it up and let it do the rest of the work.

The traveling sprinkler will travel along the path of the water hose that you set up and are equipped with an automatic shut off that shut off the sprinkler upon reaching the end of the hose. You can set the sprinkler up, go run errands, take care of the family and sit and relax while the traveling sprinkler does all the work for you.

Another major advantage is coverage.

Coverage

The traveling sprinkler works great for people with lawn that are oddly shaped. Sometimes a regular sprinkler just can’t get to the nooks and crannies of your lawn without moving it several times.

All you have to do is set up the path with the traveling sprinkler and let go. It will do all the work and make sure those odd areas of your lawn receive just as much attention as the rest of your lawn does.

Disadvantage

Some traveling sprinklers come with a disclaimer that states you should not use them on lawns with fresh sod on them. This is due to the fact that the lawn might get muddy and the wheels may get lodged in the mud.

Of course this will cause the traveling sprinkler to stall, and that area of the lawn will get over watered. But as long as you adhere to the disclaimers that come with your system you should be alright.

The new trend for home landscapers is the traveling sprinkler and most likely the trend will be here to stay. It saves times and hassle for oddly shaped lawns. The traveling sprinkler is the perfect gadget for the home landscaper.

About the Author

For more information about the traveling sprinkler check out our website. We have updated sprinkler information.

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