RAIN BIRD Residential Valves Installing Manual
Tips on Installing
and Maintaining
Rain Bird
Residential Valves
Valves are an essential part of any
sprinkler system. They are the link between the "brains" of the system (the
timer) and the sprinkler heads to turn
the water on and off.
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Valves are an essential part of any sprinkler system. They are the link between the
"brains" of the system (the timer) and the sprinkler heads, to turn the water on and off.
Most automatic sprinkler systems are set up with two types of valves. A brass "gate
valve" or "ball valve" is usually located right after the "tee" where the sprinkler system
cuts off from the main source of water to the house. This valve, referred to as the
"shutoff valve," is used to shut down the sprinkler system for repairs or winterizing
without shutting off the water to the entire house. It is recommended that all systems
be equipped with a shutoff valve installed in a box for easy access.
The second type of valve is the sprinkler "zone valve." Each zone valve is piped to a
set of sprinklers. When the valve is turned on, either by hand or in response to an
electronic signal from the timer, all the sprinklers piped to that particular valve go on.
In most cases, there are several valves located together (called a manifold), each con-
CONTROLLER
SPRINKLERS
VALVE
SHUT
OFF
INCOMING
VALVE
BASIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS
SPRINKLERS
Why are several valves needed? All systems are limited by a combination of the pressure of the water (psi) and the number of gallons per minute (gpm) available. Each
sprinkler uses a certain number of gallons per minute of water. This release of water
through the nozzle reduces water pressure to a certain degree while the system is
working. For maximum performance, each zone is controlled by one valve and is set
up with the proper amount of sprinklers so that the psi and gpm capacity of the system
is not exceeded. The purpose of this information is to address questions and problems
related to zone valves.
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Types of Zone Valves
There are two basic types of zone valves commonly available. Anti-siphon valves
have a built-in backflow device to prevent possibly contaminated water from flowing
backward into the household supply. If approved by your local codes, these types of
valves provide inexpensive backflow protection. Anti-siphon valves must be installed
at least 6" above the highest sprinkler head on the line in order for the backflow device to work properly. Both automatic and manual versions are available.
APAS-100-P
APAS-075-P
PAS-100
PAS-075
The second type of valve is an "in-line" valve. It is installed below ground, preferably
in a valve box, for ease of maintenance. A separate backflow preventer is required for
backflow protection. In-line valves are automatic valves.
CP-075
CP-100
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Anti-Siphon Valves
Anti-siphon valves are an inexpensive choice and easy to install and maintain. The
built-in anti-siphon backflow device prevents potential contamination of household water supplies from fertilizers and other toxic chemicals which may enter the system.
Check your local codes for the types of backflow protection required in your area.
Electric models are simple to hook up to a timer for automatic watering. They are best
suited to plans where there is not more than a slight rise in elevation, and fairly clean
source water.
Caution: This valve is designed as a zone valve and as such may suffer severe damage if installed where constant pressure is placed on the outlet (sprinkler) side of the
valve. The manual version is not suitable for use in a continuous open position as a
main shutoff valve or as a means of inexpensive backflow prevention for an entire system; nor are the automatic models to be used as a master valve where other valves
will be installed downstream.
(Note: A master valve is an electric valve that is automatically activated to open and
allow the flow of water through, only when the zone valves downstream are activated.)
Automatic Anti-Siphon control
valves APAS-075-P/APAS-100-P
Install valves
at least 6”
above
the highest
sprinkler
PVC Pipe
Shutoff
To Sprinklers
Connecting pipe
from water source
Typical installation
using PVC pipe and
fittings
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In-Line Valves
In-line valves, installed below ground level, are suitable for sites with all types of elevation changes. Because of their protected location, in-line valves are less likely to be
tampered with by children or vandals, and less likely to incur freeze damage than
above ground models. In-line valves do not afford backflow protection.
In situations where the water is pumped from a lake, well, ditch, or other "dirty" water
source, sand and other debris should be filtered from the line through a filter with a
100 mesh screen. If water supply is also used as a drinking water source, a separate
backflow prevention device is required to prevent potential contamination should fertilizers or toxic chemicals in the water be siphoned backwards through the lines.
If your water is supplied by a municipal water system, check with your local Rain Bird
dealer or plumbing supplier for the type of backflow prevention device required in your
area. For specific information about backflow and the types of backflow prevention devices available, please call our toll-free number. 1-800-RAIN-BIRD, and request a
"Backflow Prevention Handbook."
In-line valves are installed below ground, protected by a valve box. An in-line valve is
also suitable for use as a master valve.
CONTROLLER
PVB VALVE
VALVES
Service
Line
from
Street
SHUTOFF
TO
SPRINKLERS
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