Welcome
Welcome to the landscape meetinghouse update. This webpage is dedicated to all things landscape and we hope it will act as a reference to help keep you up-to-date on the most current meetinghouse landscape guidelines, standards, issues, questions, and answers. If you would like to contribute a question or comment, please send an email to: LandscapeResources@home.churchofjesuschrist.org.
Up-coming Training
Throughout the year landscape training is offered to FM's, PM's, landscape architects and landscape contractors. 2012 dates are as follows (times are given respective of Mountain Time Zone):
| Date/Time | Webinar/Training | Recommended Attendees |
|---|---|---|
| 5/8/12 9:00 AM and 11 AM |
Learn how to locate Site Adapt Guidelines and apply in project development. | FM's, RFM's, PM's, APM's |
| 9/4/12 9:00 AM and 11 AM |
Participants will learn about civil and landscape updates and have a chance to give feedback and share best practices. | FM's, RFM's, PM's, APM's |
| 12/5/12 9:00 AM and 11 AM |
Aided by local professionals the presentation will address current landscape considerations. | Primary - Contractors, Consultants Secondary - FM's, RFM's, PM's, APM's |
Recent Questions
Q: How do I choose a SMART Controller?
A: Your selection depends on whether it is installed at a new or an existing facility.
New Facility: Select a controller from the list of standard church controllers found on the Landscape Resources Website at https://aec.churchofjesuschrist.org/aec/landscape/ or in the most current standard specifications at https://aec.churchofjesuschrist.org/aec/specs/.
Existing Facility: Perform a simple cost analysis to help you understand if it is appropriate for your site or not. A cost analysis tool recently distributed to FMs is now available to simplify the analysis. For a copy of the tool, please email LandscapeResources@home.churchofjesuschrist.org with your request. This tool considers the following:
- cost to install or retrofit
- estimated water reduction with a smart controller
- annual irrigation water usage
- cost per kGal of water
If your return on investment (ROI) is less than 5 years, your product qualifies.
A tool that considers more detailed elements is now in development to help give an even more accurate estimate of the return on investment. This tool will be available sometime in the 4th quarter of 2012 or the 1st quarter of 2013.
To select one of the approved controllers, consider these questions:
- Are any of the approved controllers eligible for a grant or rebate through a local municipality?
- Are you currently using one of the approved controllers? Are you comfortable operating this controller?
- Are you more or less technically savvy? Acclima requires more technical effort than RainMaster or WeatherTRAK controllers.
- Will you use a two wire or traditionally wired system?
- Retrofits are usually applied to traditionally wired systems. This type of system can be wired into the Acclima controller, but doing so can be challenging. RainMaster and WeatherTRAK are more easily installed in retrofit conditions.
- If installing in a new facility and there is a possibility for future expansion, consider using a two wire system; it is easier to add valves to the existing wiring with this system. Acclima and RainMaster controllers work well with two wire systems. WeatherTRAK is not as compatible with two wire systems.
- For new facilities, it is best to use two wire systems over traditional wiring if a site has more than 30 irrigation zones. If the system does not have 30 zones, it is usually less expensive to install a traditionally wired system.
Ultimately, the goal of installing a SMART controller is to conserve water and tithing funds. Although SMART controllers usually produce a significant water savings, where secondary water is used, it is not always cost-effective.
Additional SMART controllers are constantly being evaluated to provide the church with the best available products at the most reasonable prices. Your input regarding your experience with different controllers is requested and appreciated.
Q: How do I protect the backflow preventers from theft?
A: Even prior to the current economic downturn, criminals were stealing backflow preventers to sell as scrap. Unlawful water protection device removal has significantly increased in occurrence in recent times. Here are four suggestions to help decrease the possibility of theft:
- Codes often require the installation of backflow preventers above ground in readily visible areas. Limiting visibility is the first suggested deterrent, but isn’t always feasible.
- Metal cages can also provide a level of protection, but many times thieves use a truck and chain to pull off the cage and then remove the backflow preventer. A sheet metal box limits visibility to the device and may be a better deterrent than a cage. The thief may not know whether they are looking at an electrical box or backflow preventer, and pulling an electrical box is significantly more dangerous.
- Another option is to paint the exposed brass fitting with an identifiable marking. Some salvage yards will provide less compensation for painted brass. Also, an identifiable marking on the fitting will make it easier for a scrap yard to help identify a thief. This is not a fool-proof deterrent.
- Wilkins is now manufacturing a black composite backflow preventer. The USC approved device utilizes plastic materials which cut down on the amount of salvageable brass. The device is also powder-coated which makes it even more difficult to scrap.
