21 NCAC 23 .0502             SITE CONSIDERATIONS

(a)  An irrigation contractor shall confirm all property corners and lines that will determine the borders of landscaped or irrigated areas, including any right of way (local, state or federal).

(b)  The irrigation contractor shall comply with the terms of any encroachment agreements and other easement requirements.

(c)  Before the irrigation contractor and those working under his or her supervision do any excavation he or she shall call 1-800-632-4949 or 811 or go to www.ncocc.orq to have major utilities located on the subject property by the appropriate utility companies. Installation shall not be started until all underground utilities are located and marked.

(d)  An irrigation contractor shall review the site where the irrigation system is to be installed with the owner to identify private underground lines or structures and locate those that present a potential problem before digging (e.g. low voltage lighting wires, propane gas tanks and lines, private power lines to out-buildings, and drainage lines, septic field lines, and tanks).

(e)  In the case of new landscape construction where a landscape plan is provided, an irrigation contractor shall verify that the landscape plan is the most current plan available and is not subject to change before starting the installation.

(f)  If no landscape plan exists or the landscaping is in place, an irrigation contractor shall review the site with the owner or landscape designer to determine the irrigation needs of the site.  The irrigation contractor shall address specific issues, including:

(1)           the plant water needs;

(2)           the soil type;

(3)           the root depth;

(4)           microclimates; and

(5)           slopes.

(g)  An irrigation contractor shall inform the owner or landscape designer of the importance of designing the irrigation system to meet the needs of the landscape.

(h)  An irrigation contractor shall review planting plans prior to installation of the irrigation system to minimize conflicts between larger plants, existing root zones, and irrigation heads and review construction plans for conflicts between hardscape and sprinkler head placement.

(i)  An irrigation contractor shall inform the property owner and irrigation designer of unusual or abnormal soil conditions which may affect the design and management of the irrigation system.

(j)  Where deviations from the design are required (e.g., routing pipe around a tree or other structure or adding sprinklers to an area larger than the plan shows), an irrigation contractor shall consult with the designer prior to making the change to ensure that the change is within the design performance specifications.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 89G-5;

Eff. July 1, 2011;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. September 22, 2014;

Amended Eff. November 1, 2016.