A complex water network was installed along the highways to meet these two main objectives:
- To irrigate the turf along the sides of the road and in the medians
- To supply water (correct flow and pressure) in case of a fire emergency
The Challenge: To ensure complete control over each of the components of the irrigation system along the road (including head controls, valves, water meters, and sensors), while ensuring that at any point, and at any given moment, the water supply system will be able to supply water in case of a fire or other emergency.
The Control System
The installed IRRInet platform included the following:
- ICC PRO software: Each highway was managed by separate servers, with the goal of one central server in the future
- 17 IRRInet ACE field units
- 80 IRRInet M field units
- 909 Piccolo XR end units
System Architecture
Each highway was divided into lengths of approx. 5,000 meters (starting at the pumping stations in each section). The architecture of the system was determined by distances and topography within each section.
Our IRRInet ACE or IRRInet M field units control –
- the pumping station,
- nearby solenoid valves in valve boxes,
- flow switches on nearby fire hydrants,
- flow switches in the outlets of the nearby solenoid valves, and
- pressure sensors (digital or analog).
Additionally, the Motorola field units control the well pump and reservoir levels and monitor the flow to the reservoirs and the flow from the pumping station to the network. About 90% of those units are powered by solar panels.
The IRRInet ACE or M units communicate with the control center via a GPRS modem with the Piccolo XR units via PIU installed above the valve boxes.
Installation
- Remote-controlled units were installed every 400 to 800 meters along the highways, on 2-inch hot galvanized metal poles 1.7 meters above the ground and at the required distance from barriers. All poles were anchored with tamper-proof nuts and bolts.
- All antennas (either for GPRS, RF, or solar panels) were installed on hot galvanized metal poles, 3 meters above the ground, and at the required distance from barriers. All poles were anchored with tamper-proof nuts and bolts.
- All metal construction was carried out according to a special static study to reduce the risk of causing traffic accidents. Installation was in accordance with rules prescribed by the Greek Organization of Communication.
