TryBuildCalc

Irrigation Zone & Watering Runtime Calculator Verification Checklist

Essential Checklist+

Complete these critical checks before approving the work or proceeding to the next construction stage.

✓19 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Water Supply & Flow Measurement+
  • Available water flow MEASURED with a timed bucket test at an outdoor tap, not taken from a meter size, pipe size, or a neighbour's figure
  • Usable Flow Allowance left at the standard 75% unless you have a specific, measured reason to raise it — raising it toward 100% removes the reserve held back for pipe friction and elevation loss
  • Static and operating pressure checked against the chosen nozzle's published pressure range
  • Backflow prevention appropriate to the installation is fitted and, where required, tested
✓Zone Layout & Head / Emitter Selection+
  • No zone is loaded with more heads (or drip plants) than this calculator's Max per Zone figure
  • (Sprinkler) Sprays, rotary nozzles, and rotors are NOT mixed on the same zone
  • (Sprinkler) Nozzle Matching selection reflects what is actually installed — matched precipitation nozzles, or the same nozzle fitted to every arc
  • (Sprinkler) Head spacing checked against the nozzle's published radius, aiming for head-to-head coverage
✓Precipitation Rate & Runtime+
  • (Sprinkler) Computed precipitation rate cross-checked against the typical published rate for the selected Head Type
  • Weekly water requirement reflects actual peak-season need, and rainfall is being subtracted from it in practice
✓Soil, Slope & Cycle-and-Soak+
  • Soil Type selected from what the ground actually is, ideally confirmed with a jar test or a feel test, not assumed
  • Ground Slope entered as a real percentage — with 0 entered for genuinely flat ground rather than left blank
  • Zone watched during an actual run to confirm whether water is genuinely running off, pooling, or soaking in
  • (Cycling needed) Soak time between cycles actually programmed into the controller, not just the cycles
  • Total elapsed time for ALL zones back to back fits inside your available watering window and any local watering restrictions
✓Controller Programming & Follow-Up+
  • Each zone programmed with ITS OWN runtime, not one runtime copied across every valve
  • Seasonal adjustment (percentage scaling, a monthly schedule, or a smart controller) planned rather than a fixed year-round program
  • Every zone watched through a complete first run, checking for blocked, tilted, sunken, or misaimed heads
  • (Drip) Line flushed before the end caps went on, and a filter and pressure regulator fitted ahead of the drip zone
Full QC Checklist+

Verify water supply measurement, zone layout and head/emitter selection, precipitation rate and runtime, soil/slope and cycle-and-soak, and controller programming.

✓30 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Water Supply & Flow Measurement+
  • Available water flow MEASURED with a timed bucket test at an outdoor tap, not taken from a meter size, pipe size, or a neighbour's figure
  • Flow measured under realistic household conditions, not at the quietest moment of the day
  • Usable Flow Allowance left at the standard 75% unless you have a specific, measured reason to raise it — raising it toward 100% removes the reserve held back for pipe friction and elevation loss
  • Static and operating pressure checked against the chosen nozzle's published pressure range
  • Backflow prevention appropriate to the installation is fitted and, where required, tested
✓Zone Layout & Head / Emitter Selection+
  • No zone is loaded with more heads (or drip plants) than this calculator's Max per Zone figure
  • (Sprinkler) Sprays, rotary nozzles, and rotors are NOT mixed on the same zone
  • (Sprinkler) Nozzle Matching selection reflects what is actually installed — matched precipitation nozzles, or the same nozzle fitted to every arc
  • (Unmatched nozzles) Flow per Head and Head Arc entered for the SMALLEST-arc head on the zone, not an average or a convenient one
  • (Sprinkler) Head spacing checked against the nozzle's published radius, aiming for head-to-head coverage
  • (Sprinkler) Row Spacing entered as the perpendicular distance between laterals, adjusted for a triangular layout if used
  • Plants with genuinely different water needs are on separate zones (lawn separated from shrub beds, sun separated from deep shade)
✓Precipitation Rate & Runtime+
  • (Sprinkler) Computed precipitation rate cross-checked against the typical published rate for the selected Head Type
  • (Sprinkler) Precipitation rate verified with a catch-cup test on at least one representative zone
  • Irrigation Efficiency either left at the head type's default or set from a real distribution uniformity measurement
  • Weekly water requirement reflects actual peak-season need, and rainfall is being subtracted from it in practice
  • Watering Days per Week set for deeper, less frequent watering rather than a short run every day
  • (Drip) Emitters per Plant matches each plant's actual size, with larger plants getting their water spread around the root zone
✓Soil, Slope & Cycle-and-Soak+
  • Soil Type selected from what the ground actually is, ideally confirmed with a jar test or a feel test, not assumed
  • Ground Slope entered as a real percentage — with 0 entered for genuinely flat ground rather than left blank
  • Zone watched during an actual run to confirm whether water is genuinely running off, pooling, or soaking in
  • (Cycling needed) Soak time between cycles actually programmed into the controller, not just the cycles
  • Total elapsed time for ALL zones back to back fits inside your available watering window and any local watering restrictions
  • (Drip) Zone NOT cycle-and-soaked out of habit carried over from the sprinkler zones
✓Controller Programming & Follow-Up+
  • Each zone programmed with ITS OWN runtime, not one runtime copied across every valve
  • Seasonal adjustment (percentage scaling, a monthly schedule, or a smart controller) planned rather than a fixed year-round program
  • Rain sensor, soil moisture sensor, or weather-based skip fitted or planned
  • Every zone watched through a complete first run, checking for blocked, tilted, sunken, or misaimed heads
  • (Drip) Line flushed before the end caps went on, and a filter and pressure regulator fitted ahead of the drip zone
  • Schedule reviewed again after the planting is established, and after any change in heads, nozzles, or planting
Inspection Notes+
Use the latest approved drawings, specifications, and site measurements.
Complete all critical checks before proceeding to the next work stage.
Record deviations and confirm rectification where required.

Related Calculators & Guides

Irrigation Zone & Watering Runtime Calculator CalculatorOpen the related calculator and verify the current project inputs.

FAQ

Use it after collecting the project inputs and again before approving or closing the relevant work stage.
No. It supports verification but does not replace approved drawings, specifications, codes, manufacturer requirements, or professional inspection.