Overview - ISO/TR 15155-1:2018 (Agricultural irrigation equipment - Test facilities)
ISO/TR 15155-1:2018 provides practical guidelines for establishing basic test facilities and test benches used to evaluate agricultural irrigation equipment. The technical report focuses on the design, selection, installation and use of equipment and instrumentation needed to test emitters, sprinklers, valves, sprayers and water meters. It complements the detailed test procedures given in ISO 7714, ISO 8026, ISO 9261, ISO 9635 (all parts), ISO 9644, ISO 9911, ISO 10522, ISO 15886 and ISO 16399.
Key topics and technical requirements
- System components: guidance on pumps (centrifugal or turbine), controls, piping, fittings and shelters for test benches.
- Pump selection & sizing: choose pumps to meet the required flow/pressure envelope; pumps should provide at least 110% of maximum pressure at 110% of maximum flow. Use of VFDs (variable-frequency drives) is recommended for flexible control.
- Pressure measurement: sensor selection, installation locations, calibration and certification requirements; position gauges to operate in the middle third of their range.
- Flow and volume measurement: recommendations on flow-meter alternatives, volumetric methods, installation, maintenance and calibration.
- Test bench design: pressure and flow control strategies, use of flow-straightening or turbulence-damping where measurement accuracy is critical (e.g., sprinkler riser inlets).
- Water processing: filtration (recommended 200 mesh / ~75 μm if no other spec exists), disinfection and temperature control to maintain test water quality.
- Turbulence & hydraulics: considerations to avoid measurement errors from vibration or turbulent flow.
- Procedures & policies: safety, confidentiality of test results, record control, handling of test items, vendor testing policies and public access.
- Informative annexes: hydraulic properties in clear water for sprinklers (A), drip emitters (B), valves (C), sprayers (D) and meters (E).
Applications - who uses this standard
- Test laboratories and calibration facilities designing irrigation equipment test benches.
- Manufacturers of irrigation components (emitters, sprinklers, valves, sprayers, water meters) establishing internal test rigs.
- Certification bodies and conformity assessment organizations developing repeatable, traceable test setups.
- Agricultural engineers, researchers and R&D teams validating hydraulic performance and durability.
ISO/TR 15155-1 helps ensure consistent, accurate hydraulic testing and supports compliance with companion ISO test methods.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/TR 15155-1:2018, agricultural irrigation equipment, test facilities, test bench design, pump selection, flow measurement, pressure measurement, emitters, sprinklers, water meters.