ANSI/ASAE S553 DEC2000 (R2008)

Collapsible Emitting Hose (DripTape)Specifications

and Performance Testing

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ANSI/ASAE S553 DEC2000 (R2008)
Approved March 2001; reaffirmed February 2008 as an American National Standard
Collapsible Emitting Hose (Drip Tape) Specifications
and Performance Testing
Developed by the ASAE Microirrigation Committee; approved by the Soil
and Water Division Standards Committee; adoped by ASAE December
2000; approved as an American National Standard March 2001;
reaffirmation extended two years February 2006; reaffirmed by ASABE
and ANSI February 2008.
Keywords: Collapsible, Drip, Emitter, Irrigation, Microirrigation
1 Purpose and scope
1.1 This Standard specifies testing methods, performance
requirements, and data to be supplied by the manufacturer for collapsible
emitting hose products with discrete emission points along their lengths,
commonly referred to as drip tape, and herein referred to as
collapsible emitting hose.
1.2 This Standard applies to collapsible emitting hose intended for
irrigation of which the emitters form an integral or permanently attached
part. It does not apply to tubing which is porous along its entire length.
1.3 This Standard applies to specifications and performance testing for
newly manufactured collapsible emitting hose products.
1.4 While it is recognized that resistance to emitter plugging is an
important consideration in the selection and comparison of collapsible
emitting hose products, emitter plugging is not covered in this standard
because a repeatable test representative of the variety of field conditions
encountered in typical applications is not available.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in
this text, constitute provisions of this Standard. At the time of publication,
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision,
and parties to agreements based on this Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
standards indicated below. Standards organizations maintain registers of
currently valid standards.
ASAE EP405.1 DEC99, Design and Installation of Microirrigation
Systems
ASAE EP458 DEC99, Field Evaluation of Microirrigation Systems
ASAE S526.1 MAR95, Soil and Water Terminology
ASTM D638, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
ASTM D1603, Standard Test Method for Carbon Black in Olefin Plastics
ASTM D1693, Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking
of Ethylene Plastics
ASTM D3895, Standard Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of
Polyolefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
ASTM D4329, Standard Practice for Operating Light and Water
Apparatus (Fluorescent UV and Condensation Type) for Exposure of
Plastics
ASTM D5397, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Environmental
Stress Crack Resistance of Polyoelfin Geomembranes Using Notched
Constant Tensile Load Test
ASTM D5596, Standard Practice for Microscopical Examination of
Pigment Dispersion in Plastic Compounds
3 Definitions
3.1 collapsible emitting hose: Continuous hose or tubing which
discharges water at discrete points along its length through flow
regulating passageways formed into or attached onto the hose; and
ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S553 DEC2000 R2008
having a sufficiently thin wall to permit collapsing when not under
pressure. (To be balloted by SW-03 for inclusion in ASAE S526.1).
3.2 emitter: Refer to ASAE S526.1.
3.3 emitter discharge exponent, x: The quantity that defines the
discharge rate vs. pressure relationship for an emitter in the discharge
equation
qK Px
where:
P is pressure, q is emitter discharge rate and K is a constant. (To be
balloted by SW-03 for inclusion in ASAE S526.1).
3.4 emitter spacing: Distance between consecutive emitter outlets
along the length of the collapsible emitting hose. (To be balloted by
SW-03 for inclusion in ASAE S526.1).
3.5 inside diameter, d: Specified, unpressurized inside diameter of the
collapsible emitting hose. See clause 3.10 - nominal inside diameter, d n .
3.6 nominal test temperature, T n : The water temperature at which all
tests will be carried out.
3.7 maximum working temperature, T max : Maximum working water
temperature recommended by manufacturer to insure proper operation at
all points in the range of working pressures (3.12).
3.8 nominal emitting hose discharge rate, Q n : Emission rate per unit
length of the collapsible emitting hose with nominal test pressure at the
inlets of the emitters and water temperature of T n .
3.9 nominal emitter discharge rate, q n : Emission rate of a single
emitter at nominal test pressure and water temperature T n .
3.10 nominal inside diameter d n : Convenient numerical designation
used to indicate the nominal size of the collapsible emitting hose and the
standard fittings it is to be used with.
3.11 nominal test pressure, p n : Nominal pressure associated with
nominal emitter discharge rate as designated by the manufacturer.
3.12 range of working pressures: Range of water pressures at the
inlet of the emitter, including the minimum working pressure, p min , and
the maximum working pressure, p max , recommended by the collapsible
emitting hose manufacturer to insure proper operation.
3.13 temperature flow rate index, i T : Emitter discharge rate at
temperature T divided by the emitter discharge rate at temperature T n .
4 Data provided by manufacturer
4.1 Marking. When the collapsible emitting hose is supplied in coils,
each coil shall carry an attached label or tag bearing the following clear,
legible information.
4.1.1 Name and address of manufacturer;
4.1.2 Designation and catalog number;
4.1.3 Nominal inside diameter;
4.1.4 Minimum coil length;
4.1.5 Manufacturing identification code;
4.1.6 Nominal wall thickness;
4.1.7 Nominal emitter spacing;
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4.1.8 Nominal emitting hose discharge rate;
4.1.9 Nominal operating pressure;
4.1.10 Maximum shaft diameter for installation. (The diameter of the
largest shaft that the reel can be mounted on during installation.)
4.1.11 Reference to this Standard;
4.1.12 Warranty.
4.2 Additional information. The manufacturer shall make available
catalogs or information sheets that include the following data:
4.2.1 Instruction sheets for proper installation and operation of
collapsible emitting hose;
4.2.2 Limitations of collapsible emitting hose use;
4.2.3 Filtration requirements;
4.2.4 Nominal operating pressure and operating pressure range,
including p min , p max , and p n ;
4.2.5 Maximum recommended operating temperature;
4.2.6 Results of the tests specified in this Standard.
4.2.7 A list of known compatible and incompatible fertilizer and chemical
materials typically applied through drip irrigation systems.
5 Construction
5.1 General. The collapsible emitting hose shall have no manufacturing
defects that may impair performance.
5.2 Dimensions. The manufacturer shall specify the inside diameter
and wall thickness of the collapsible emitting hose, and the actual
dimensions shall comply with those declared by the manufacturer as
stipulated in clause 8.1 of this Standard.
5.3 Assembly. Collapsible emitting hoses that include components
which are bonded to the hose body, such as a continuously sealed
overlapping flap or bonded emitters or emitting strips, shall be
constructed in such a manner that components do not break loose or
delaminate from the hose body and do not puncture or otherwise
damage the hose body during installation and normal use according to
the manufacturers specifications and recommendations.
6 Materials
6.1 Mechanical properties. Materials used in the manufacture of
collapsible emitting hose shall exhibit mechanical properties that result in
reliable performance during normal use according to the manufacturers
specifications and recommendations. Refer to clauses 8.6 and 8.7 of this
Standard.
6.2 Chemical resistance. Materials used in the manufacture of
collapsible emitting hose shall be resistant to fertilizers and chemicals
typically used (i.e., acids, chlorine, pesticides) and labeled for use with
drip irrigation.
6.3 Environmental stress crack resistance. Materials used in the
manufacture of collapsible emitting hose shall be resistant to
environmental stress cracking. Materials shall exhibit no environmental
stress crack damage when tested according to ASTM D1693, condition
A for 1000 hours minimum or ASTM D5397 for 100 hours minimum.
6.4 Resistance to thermal oxidation. Materials used in the
manufacture of collapsible emitting hose shall be suitable for use at
surface temperatures up to 60C (140F). Materials shall exhibit an
oxidative induction time of at least 30 minutes when tested according to
ASTM D3895 at 200C (392F).
6.5 Resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light. The parts of the collapsible
emitting hose that may be exposed to light shall be protected against UV
degradation. Exposed materials shall exhibit less than 50% reduction in
elongation at break after being subjected to the conditions defined in
ASTM D4329, Cycle A for 1000 hours.
7 Test speciments and conditions
7.1 Test specimens. Each sample shall be randomly selected from a
lot of at least 500 contiguous emitters. Adjacent samples shall be
2 ANSIASAE S553 DEC2000 R2008
separated by at least 50 emitters. The size (number of contiguous
emitters) of the sample required for each test is indicated in the relevant
paragraph.
7.2 Test conditions. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant
paragraph, all tests shall be carried out at an ambient air temperature of
23C 2.0C (73.4 3.6F) and a water supply temperature of Tn = 23
C 2.0C (73.4 3.6F). The water shall be passed through a filter with
a nominal aperture of 74 micron (200 mesh).
7.3 Accuracy of measuring devices. Water pressure shall be
measured with an error not exceeding 1.0 kPa ( 0.15 psi). Water
temperature shall be measured within 1.0C (1.8F). The discharge
rate of the collapsible emitting hose samples shall be measured within
2% of the actual values.
8 Test methods and requirements
8.1 Dimensions
8.1.1 Wall thickness
8.1.1.1 Measure the wall thickness of the collapsible emitting hose at
four points equally spaced on the circumference. Repeat the test at two
cross sections. In the event of a part of the hose wall being thicker by
design, such increase in thickness shall be disregarded if the deviation is
within 10% of the design specification.
8.1.1.2 Wall thickness of the collapsible emitting hose, when measured
at each of the four points, shall be within 10% of the declared wall
thickness.
8.1.2 Inside diameter
8.1.2.1 One method to measure the inside diameter of the collapsible
emitting hose is to insert a conical part (apex angle not greater than
10) into the end of the sample, taking care not to enlarge the hose
diameter. Mark on the cone the circle made by the end of the hose and
measure its diameter. See Fig 1.
8.1.2.2 Measured inside diameter shall be within 0.5 mm ( 0.020
in.) of the declared inside diameter for nominal inside diameters ranging
between 15.9 mm (0.625 in.) and 22.2 mm (0.875 in.). Inside diameter of
collapsible emitting hoses with nominal inside diameter outside of this
range shall be such that the emitting hoses can be easily used without
leaks with industry standard fittings.
8.1.3 Spacing of emitters
8.1.3.1 Measure three spacings of emitters accurately to the nearest 1.0
mm (0.04 in.). The measured spacing of the emitters shall not deviate by
more than +/5% from the declared emitter spacing.
8.1.3.2 Obtain three samples of collapsible emitting hose each of length
L, where L is equal to 100 times the specified emitter spacing as defined
in 3.4. Count the number of emitters on each sample of hose. The
average number of emitters from the three samples shall range from 95
to 105 (+/-5%).
8.2 Emitter discharge rate at constant pressure
8.2.1 The test sample shall include at least 100 emitters sampled in
accordance with the requirements of clause 7.1.
8.2.2 Condition the emitters in the test sample by operating them for 1
Figure 1 Inside diameter measurement tool
ASABE STANDARDS 2008
hour at the nominal test pressure, p n . Immediately after conditioning,
and without altering the inlet pressure, test the emitters according to
clause 8.2.3.
8.2.3 Measure and record the discharge rate of each emitter.
8.2.4 Calculate the average discharge rate, q , and the standard
deviation, Sq , of the measured emitter discharge rates. The difference
between the average discharge rate and the nominal emitter discharge
rate shall not exceed 10% of the nominal discharge rate.
8.2.5 Calculate the coefficient of variation, C v , of the sampled emitters
as follows:
Sq
Cv
q
where:
Sq standard deviation of the emitter discharge rates
of the sample, and
q mean emission rate of the sample
8.3 Emitter discharge rate pressure response
8.3.1 The tests performed to determine emitter discharge rate pressure
response shall be a continuation of the tests performed in clause 8.2,
using a portion of the same sample that includes at least 25 contiguous
emitters.
8.3.2 Condition the emitters in the test sample by operating them for 15
minutes at p min . Immediately after conditioning, and without altering the
inlet pressure, measure and record the discharge rate of each emitter.
Increase the pressure in at least four equal increments up to p max . At
each pressure, condition the emitters for at least 3 minutes, then
measure and record their discharge rates. If the inlet pressure exceeds
the desired pressure by more than 10 kPa (1.5 psi) during its rise and
fall, return to p min and repeat the test.
8.3.3 Calculate and record the emitter discharge exponent, x, using the
measured data with a power series regression, a logarithmic (natural or
base 10) linear regression, or a graphical analysis technique.
8.4 Emitter discharge rate temperature response
8.4.1 The test sample shall include at least five contiguous emitters
sampled in accordance with the requirements of clause 7.1.
8.4.2 Condition the emitters in the test sample by pressurizing the
sample to p n for at least 1 hour at a water temperature T n .
8.4.3 Pressurize the sample to pressure p n and temperature T = 10C
1C (50 2F) for 15 minutes. Measure and record the average 8.5.8 Use the following formula to calculate the friction loss per 100 m
discharge rate for each emitter in the sample.
8.4.4 Repeat 8.4.3 for a total of at least five temperatures increasing in
near equal increments up to T max .
8.4.5 For each water temperature T, calculated and record the
temperature flow rate index, i T as described in clause 3.13.
8.5 Standardized friction loss per unit length
8.5.1 This test is designed to provide the friction loss per unit length of
a nonemitting hose for a test flow rate, Qt , based upon a test flow
velocity, Vt , equal to 0.84 m/s (2.75 ft/s). This test allows for hydraulic
performance comparison of different emitting hose products with the
same nominal diameter. Samples shall be taken from a continuous length
of collapsible emitting hose manufactured with all of the emitting
components normally used, but with no functional outlet holes. If such a
sample is not available, the outlet holes shall be plugged using silicone
cement or other compound.
8.5.2 Cut a sample of the modified collapsible emitting hose of length
L 1 , approximately 90 m (approximately 300 ft) long. Cut the sample into
two pieces of equal length and connect the pieces to a water supply in
the configuration shown in Fig. 2. Exit valve C is fully open at the start
ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S553 DEC2000 R2008
Figure 2 Friction loss measurement
of the test.
8.5.3 Turn on the water supply and adjust supply valve A to the test flow
rate Q t that results in a test flow velocity, Vt , in the sample of 0.84 m/s
(2.75 ft/s). Q t can be calculated as
Q t K d n2 V t
where:
Qt is the test flow rate in L/min (gal/min).
V t is the test flow velocity inside of the collapsible emitting hose sample
in m/s (ft/s).
d n is the nominal inside diameter of the collapsible emitting hose sample
in mm (in.).
K is a constant equal to 0.04712 if metric units are used or 2.451 if
English units are used.
For example, the value of Qt for a 16 mm (5/8 in.) nominal inside
diameter hose would be 10.0 L/min (2.64 gal/min).
8.5.4 Adjust exit valve C until the sample is nearly round. Iteratively
adjust supply valve A and exit valve C until the flow rate is equal to Qt
calculated in clause 8.5.3 and the pressure at gauge B is equal to pn .
8.5.5 Remove both halves of the sample from the fixture without
changing the position of exit valve C.
8.5.6 Cut a new sample of the modified collapsible emitting hose of
length L 2 , approximately 6 m (approximately 20 ft long). Cut the sample
into two pieces of equal length and connect the pieces to the water
supply system used in clause 8.5.2 as shown in Fig. 2.
8.5.7 With exit valve C in the same position it was adjusted to in clause
8.5.4, turn on the water supply and adjust supply valve A to a flow rate
Q equal to the flow rate calculated in clause 8.5.3. Record the pressure,
P 2 , at gauge B.
(friction loss per 100 ft) of the sample. The units for HL will take on the
units of the pressure measurement such as kPa per 100 m (psi per 100
ft).
p n P 2
H L 100100
L 1 L 2
8.6 Resistance to hydrostatic pressure at elevated temperature
8.6.1 The test sample shall include at least five contiguous emitters
sampled in accordance with the requirements of clause 7.1.
8.6.2 Condition the test sample by operating it for 1 hour at the nominal
test pressure, p n . Immediately after conditioning, and without altering the
inlet pressure, measure and record the discharge rate of each emitter.
8.6.3 Increase the water supply temperature to the maximum working
temperature, T max , and increase the inlet pressure to the maximum
recommended operating pressure, p max . Maintain the temperature and
pressure for 1 hour.
8.6.4 Return the inlet pressure to p n and the water supply temperature
to T n and operate for 1 hour. Measure and record the discharge rate of
each emitter.
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 Table 1 Sample data set and manipulations

Test Run p q log (p) log (q) log (p) log (q) [log (p)]2
(kPa) (L/h)

1 35 1.06 1.544 0.025 0.039 2.384

2 70 1.44 1.845 0.158 0.291 3.404
3 105 1.67 2.021 0.222 0.448 4.085
4 140 1.93 2.146 0.286 0.613 4.606
5 175 2.20 2.243 0.341 0.766 5.031
6 210 2.35 2.322 0.370 0.860 5.393
Sums 735 10.64 12.122 1.402 3.017 24.904

8.7.2.2 Apply a tensile load, f, of approximately 20 N (4.5 lb) and

Figure 3 Tensile test apparatus
8.6.5 The discharge rate of each emitter shall be within 10% of the
original discharge rate as measured in clause 8.6.2.
8.6.6 Increase the water supply temperature to the maximum working
temperature, T max , and increase the inlet pressure to 125% of the
maximum recommended operating pressure, p max . Maintain the
temperature and pressure for 1 hour.
8.6.7 The sample shall withstand the test pressure and temperature
without visible damage. Measure and record the inside diameter of the
sample according to clause 8.1.2.
8.7 Resistance to tensile stress
8.7.1. The test sample shall be a length of collapsible emitting hose of
at least 100 cm (40 in.) sampled in accordance with the requirements of
clause 7.1.
8.7.2 Generate an axial force vs. elongation curve using a suitable
tensile test machine with a loading rate of 9 N/min (2 lb/min). One
acceptable method is described below.
8.7.2.1 Attach a tension-indicating device such as a load cell or an
analog scale to a fixed support in a vertical configuration as shown in Fig.
3. Attach one end of the sample to the tension-indicating device as
shown. Measure and record the length of the unstressed sample.
maintain the force for 2 minutes. The tensile load can be applied by
attaching weights to the end of the sample.
8.7.2.3 Without removing the load, measure and record the resulting
elongation, , of the sample as a percentage of its original length.
8.7.2.4 Repeat clauses 8.7.2.2 and 8.7.2.3, each time increasing the
tensile load f by an increment no greater than 20 N (4.5 lb), until the
sample is ruptured or elongated more than 25%.
8.7.2.5 Plot the curve of applied load, f, versus elongation, . Sample
load-elongation curves are shown in Fig. 4.
8.7.3 Measure and record the yield strength, T y of the sample as the
applied load at the point where the load-elongation curve markedly
changes slope as shown in Fig. 4, Curve A. If there is no distinct change
in slope as shown in Fig. 4, Curve B, calculate the 0.1% offset strength
as described in ASTM D638 Annex A2.
9 Test Records
9.1 The following information shall be recorded in the test report:
9.1.1 Name and address of test facility.
9.1.2 Date of test, product manufacturer, and product identification.
9.1.3 Measured wall thickness, diameter and emitter spacing, and
certification that these parameters are in conformance with the
requirements of this Standard as given in clause 8.1.
9.1.4 Calculated average emitter discharge rate and certification that
this parameter is in conformance with the requirements of this Standard
as given in clause 8.2.
9.1.5 Measured coefficient of variation as determined in clause 8.2.
9.1.6 Measured emitter discharge exponent as determined in clause
8.3.
9.1.7 Table providing average temperature flow rate index vs.
temperature as determined in clause 8.4.
9.1.8 Standardized friction loss per unit length as determined in clause
8.5.
9.1.9 Certification that resistance to hydrostatic pressure at elevated
temperature is in conformance with the requirements of this Standard as
given in clause 8.6.
9.1.10 Measured yield strength as determined in clause 8.7.

10 Emitter discharge exponent example

A sample data set of pressure (p) and flow rate (q) data are manipulated
as shown in Table 1.
Calculate the emitter exponent, x, using:
A. The following regression equation:

logp i logq i
1
n

logp i logq i

x 2
1
Figure 4 Example load-elongation curves logp n i
2
logp i

4 ANSIASAE S553 DEC2000 R2008 ASABE STANDARDS 2008

where: D. A quick check can be performed by:
n is the number of pressure values used in clause 8.3.2. x log(q2 /q1 ) log(p2 /p1 )
i ranges from 1 to n, 1 being the first set of data in clause 8.3.2 and n Thus with the data from Table 1:
being the last.
pi is the pressure used for test i in clause 8.3.2. x log(2.35/1.06) log(210/35)
q i is the average flow rate of all emitters in test i in clause 8.3.2. x 0.444
Thus, using the data from Table 1:
1
3.017
6
12.122 1.402
x 0.446 Annex A
1
24.904 12.122 2
(informative)
6
Bibliography
NOTE - Maintain at least four significant figures while doing the
The following documents are cited as reference sources used in
calculations.
development of this Standard.
B. A log-log plot of the data and linear regression analysis results in Design and Installation of Collapsible Emitting Hose Systems is
an emitter exponent, x = 0.4453. addressed in ASAE EP405.1 DEC96. Field Evaluation of Collapsible
C. A linear scale plot of flow rate, q, versus applied pressure, p, and Emitting Hose Systems is addressed in ASAE EP458 DEC96.
a power series analysis result in an emitter exponent, x = 0.4459.

ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S553 DEC2000 R2008 5