AHCIRG402A
Determine hydraulic parameters for an irrigation system

This unit covers determining hydraulic parameters for an irrigation system and defines the standard required to: calculate water volumes and pressure required to deliver water; and select system components to deliver the required rate of irrigated water.

Application

This unit applies to irrigation installers and designers.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Confirm water delivery specifications for irrigation system

1.1. Soil characteristics are confirmed and hydraulic properties determined.

1.2. Plant/crop water requirements are gathered for various stages of growth.

1.3. Peak water requirements are determined for each area to be irrigated.

2. Determine pressures required to deliver required amount of water over specified area

2.1. Static pressures between water source and delivery points are determined.

2.2. Dynamic pressure necessary to achieve required water volume is calculated.

3. Analyse technical drawings to determine pressure losses through system

3.1. Losses resulting from fittings, laterals and elevation differences are calculated.

3.2. Losses resulting from flow through canals, culverts and pipes of varying sizes and diameters within a system are determined.

3.3. Total friction loss is calculated.

3.4. Hydraulic parameters for system are determined.

4. Select system components to deliver water efficiently

4.1. Water delivery components are selected to achieve the most efficient delivery rate and pressure.

4.2. Flow direction and control components are selected to be compatible with pipes and to achieve minimal friction losses.

Required Skills

Required skills

read contour maps and interpret elevations and distances

calculate pressures, flows, velocities and friction losses

determine efficiency of the system with varying system components

identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action

apply hydraulic principles to manual and computerised irrigation systems

follow relevant enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental procedures

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record information collected accurately and legibly, and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

intermediate hydraulic principles, such as static and dynamic pressure, pressure loss, friction loss, flow rate and velocity, effect of gradient on flow rate, contact time and drainage

irrigation system components

types and pressure ratings for pipes, fittings and outlets

environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source

enterprise and environmental requirements.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

calculate water volumes and pressure required to deliver water

select system components to deliver the required rate of irrigated water.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

This standard covers:

pressurised irrigation systems, such as micro-irrigation systems and spray irrigation systems

gravity-fed irrigation systems.

Irrigation systems may include

manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.


Sectors

Unit sector

Irrigation


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable