2000 Leo Feser Award Candidate

Develop an emergency plan before irrigation problems happen, rather than waiting for problems to occur and then reacting. Name and label every valve on an irrigation map for easy reference. A backup diesel pump can be an affordable and dependable safety net when electrical problems affect your irrigation system. Establish a toolbox with all the essential tools and small parts you may need in an emergency.

When do major irrigation problems commonly occur? During an important member-guest golf event? During a professional or amateur tournament at your course? How about anytime, anywhere?

Usually problems arise on the hottest day of the year, or on a Sunday when you can't get the parts needed to make a quick fix. Are you prepared for these sudden emergencies?

You need to develop an emergency plan and be ready to implement it instead of waiting for problems to occur before deciding how to react. You could be playing Russian roulette with your turf if you fail to prepare in advance.

Advance planning minimizes the effects of your system's downtime and limits loss.

911 for turf
Your first and most obvious step in developing an emergency plan is to produce the most stress-resistant turf possible. A well-managed stand will be able to tolerate and endure the potential of a prolonged, temporary irrigation shutdown.

Next, develop an "isolation valve-closure" plan. Make a copy of your irrigation map (preferably an "as-built"), and highlight all the isolation valves with a colored marker. The highlighted valves will stand out and draw your attention. Give each valve an addressed name such as "1A" or "10C." I have used the particular hole where the valve is located as the first character, and then for each valve at that hole, I've used successive letters to further identify the valve. Once each valve has been addressed, label it on the irrigation map. Make a list of any valves that need to be closed.

If you are fortunate enough to have many isolation valves, you should be able to isolate any given hole from the rest of the golf course. This ideal situation allows you to keep a problem area isolated while the rest of the course is pressurized and operable.

We also created a cross-reference valve list to explain exact locations for each valve. This process has been an excellent training aid for new assistant superintendents and technical staff.

Dennis Petruzzelli advises superintendents to stock only commonly used items and large fittings that may not be available in an emergency. He says that even with limited space, it's possible to maintain a decent and viable parts inventory.

When you have completed labeling the map, it can be laminated, along with the valve lists, and rolled into a weatherproof, PVC map case to prevent damage. I have two sets prepared and located in key areas: one outside my office door and another at the pump house. The set outside my office is convenient for any trained employee to retrieve at any time in case an irrigation problem occurs.

Taking stock
Now that you have isolated your irrigation problem, do you have the necessary parts inventory to make the repair? You don't have to keep a warehouse of all fittings and parts. Stock carefully and wisely. Only keep commonly used items and large fittings such as service tees and repair couplers, because these may not be easily found in your area when you need them.

At GlenArbor, we are working from a temporary office trailer, and it's imperative that we stock wisely because of our minimal storage space. It's possible to keep a decent and viable inventory of parts even with space limitations. Also, be sure to replenish any used stock immediately so you're always in a state of readiness to offset a problem when one occurs.

At your pump station (if you have one) be sure to stock all the various fuses your pump system uses. Once again, only stock a few of each kind to get you out of a potential jam. Replace any stock fuses immediately to avoid the potential of another fuse failure occurring without any stock on hand.

Petruzzelli has kept GlenArbor GC in top condition for the past 11 years by preparing in advance for emergency situations.

If your golf course has sandy and/or gravelly soil, have you considered a backup diesel pump to temporarily operate the irrigation system in the event of a power failure? I have such soils and have inherited a diesel pump that was our only pump when I first arrived at the golf course 11 years ago. The following year, the course underwent a major renovation, which included a new electric pumping station. The old diesel still worked, and we maintained it well, so we incorporated it into the pump-system framework. The emergency backup pump is always kept in a state of readiness and has been needed occasionally because of power failures or pump station problems.

It's also wise to stock all the various fuses used by your pump system. Remember to replace any stock fuses immediately.

Having a backup pump is your insurance policy against any turf loss in the event of a temporary electric problem. A sufficient diesel system pump system is affordable and will give you piece of mind knowing it's there when you need it. I recently priced a unit that can comfortably pump 500 gallons per minute at 120 psi for approximately $24,000. Knowing that you can irrigate your course -- no matter what the problem -- is reassuring. You may just use it once, but it might pay for itself in a prolonged power outage or electrical pump station problem.

Of course you always have a last resort: your spraying equipment. When outfitted with a hose, this equipment will, at the very least, water wilted and dry spots. However, in a prolonged situation, it won't be possible to keep the entire golf course irrigated.

At GlenArbor, Petruzzelli keeps a diesel pump as a backup. He says the pump is always kept in a state of readiness and has been needed occasionally because of power failures or pump station problems.

Tool time
An irrigation toolbox should be established with all the essential tools (both basic and specialty) and small sprinkler parts commonly needed to keep the irrigation system running smoothly. Our toolbox consists of the following:

	combination screwdrivers
	small-slotted and Phillips screwdrivers
	needle-nose pliers
	adjustable pliers
	vise-grip pliers
	wire cutter
	wire stripper
	hammer
	hacksaw
	PVC pipe saw
	Allen-key wrenches
	adjustable wrenches
	razor blades
	spare satellite-controller keys
	multi-meter
	specialty tools such as snap-ring pliers

I also like to keep a few solenoids, fuses for our satellites, various o-rings for sprinkler drive assemblies, a couple of sprinkler nozzles, electrical and Teflon tape, some wire nuts and a pilot valve or two. In time, customizing your toolbox for your specific needs is easy.

Dennis Petruzzelli says the first step in preparing for an irrigation emergency is to produce the most stress-resistant turf possible. He has also developed an "isolation value-closure" plan, stocked emergency repair parts, assembled an irrigation toolbox and trained key personnel.

Some other inexpensive items you should consider having are a metal detector and a wire tracker. These two devices are not expensive and will save you a lot of time locating a buried quick-coupler valve, shut-off gate valve or a control wire that doesn't work. Building your diagnostic arsenal will reap quick dividends in immediately locating and connecting problems before your turf begins to suffer.

Developing an irrigation plan in advance can help save your turf and possibly your job. With today's high demands for maintaining a quality-conditioned course, you need to take every precaution to be prepared for an emergency. Of course, implement sound management practices that will promote healthy, strong, stress-tolerant turf. In addition, train key staff members to handle emergencies, stock necessary repair parts, assemble a tool kit and consider backup and contingency plans to help you avoid serious problems. Your advanced planning and preparation will minimize your irrigation system's downtime and limit any turf loss.

Dennis Petruzzelli is CGCS at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills, N.Y., and a 20-year GCSAA member. He presented this information at the Innovative Superintendent Sessions at conference and show in New Orleans.