Which factor does not affect sprinkler system precipitation rate?

Which factor does not affect sprinkler system precipitation rate?

• A. Water source
• B. Wind
• C. Sprinkler spacing
• D. Water pressure at the sprinkler

Answer: (A)

Precipitation rate is the depth of water a sprinkler head delivers to the ground per hour, which depends on how much water the head discharges (GPM) and the area over which that water is spread (the wetted area defined by sprinkler spacing). The water source itself doesn’t set this rate—as long as the system maintains the design pressure, switching between a city supply, a well, or a pond won’t change how much water the head puts out. The other factors do influence the rate: water pressure at the sprinkler changes the discharge, sprinkler spacing changes the wetted area and thus how concentrated the water is, and wind can affect where the water lands and how much actually reaches the intended ground area (affecting effective coverage and efficiency). So the factor that does not affect precipitation rate is the water source.

Precipitation rate is the depth of water a sprinkler head delivers to the ground per hour, which depends on how much water the head discharges (GPM) and the area over which that water is spread (the wetted area defined by sprinkler spacing). The water source itself doesn’t set this rate—as long as the system maintains the design pressure, switching between a city supply, a well, or a pond won’t change how much water the head puts out. The other factors do influence the rate: water pressure at the sprinkler changes the discharge, sprinkler spacing changes the wetted area and thus how concentrated the water is, and wind can affect where the water lands and how much actually reaches the intended ground area (affecting effective coverage and efficiency). So the factor that does not affect precipitation rate is the water source.