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→Green Roof Irrigation System Testing
==Green Roof Irrigation System Testing==
==Green Roof Irrigation System Testing==
In dry or temperate climates, an irrigation system can be crucial for establishing and maintaining green roofs. Extensive green roofs planted with drought tolerant plants do not always need an irrigation system, but intensive green roofs planted with a wider variety of plants would not be able survive without one. Most green roofs will require supplemental water either to enhance or speed up the establishment process or to protect the plantings during times of sustained drought. This can be accomplished by hand watering or installing an automated irrigation system. Irrigation systems vary greatly in level of complexity. They can be simple hand watering systems using hose bibs on the roof and manual sprayers, or installed automated systems that are activated by timers, or more sophisticated “smart irrigation” systems that can be remotely controlled and coupled with rain sensors or sources of local weather data to only operate during extended dry periods (i.e., droughts). Drip irrigation is the most common type of irrigation system for green roofs (Green Roof for Healthy Cities, 2011) because it transfers the water directly to the growing medium via drip emitters installed at or near the surface with relatively little loss to evaporation. Other types of irrigation systems use handheld or installed spray nozzles to distribute water to the plants. If an automatic irrigation system is in place, individuals performing inspection testing, maintenance and repairs on it should refer to the operator’s manual from the product vendor or installer for instructions specific to that product.
A green roof irrigation system test involves inspecting the supply lines, fittings and distribution points (e.g., drip emitters or spray heads) while the system is running to check for leaking, damaged, obstructed or misaligned components and dry or saturated portions of the filter bed/growing medium. A leaking or damaged supply line will often wash out or saturate a small area. An obstructed drip emitter or spray nozzle will create dry spots. If visual assessments of vegetation cover and condition reveal locations where plantings have died or are not thriving, make sure it is not due to irrigation system malfunction or damage.
Green roof irrigation system testing also provides a means of confirming that the drainage system is functioning properly. If the irrigation system test results in ponding on the filter bed/growing medium surface or in/around overflow outlets, repair or routine maintenance of those components may be necessary.
==Green Roof Leak Detection Testing==
==Green Roof Leak Detection Testing==