The park district approves funding of a new public toilet. The location has been selected, the building looks suitable and the team is prepared to move forward.
The contractor will then proceed to look over the site. The proposed location is drainage problems. Utility connections may be further away than initially thought. Delivery vehicles may have difficulty reaching the building site and the chosen building configuration might not match the available space.
Image credit: romtec.com
These problems do not necessarily mean that the project can’t proceed. They could, however, cause redesigns, and more costs, in addition to construction delays. For public entities and developers, a restroom project becomes much more manageable if the site’s conditions affect the construction choice from the start.
Drawings of buildings aren’t telling the entire story
Teams for projects should take into consideration the capacity of the site prior to deciding on the prefabricated park restroom. The installation can be affected by the terrain’s slope, drainage, utilities, and accessibility to construction.
If the bathroom is to be constructed close to a playground it could be necessary to connect the bathroom with existing sewer and water infrastructure. If these connections are not readily available or cost prohibitive to construct, a new approach may be needed.
It is important to consider the specific conditions of the location in addition to any relevant laws. A standard building layout may appear appealing on paper, but require significant changes once these details are considered.
Urban Projects are subject to their own constraints in the area of construction
It’s more than finding a space small enough to install a restroom on a sidewalk. On sidewalks that are public, there are often underground utilities, pedestrian pathways streets furniture, and construction entrances nearby. Coordination with local authorities can be needed for construction projects.
A bathroom placed too close to a utility line may cause problems with excavation or foundation work. The accessibility of the bathroom is also a consideration. The entrance and the surrounding area should be constructed to meet the requirements of the area, not just fit within the available footprint.
Romtec provides custom ADA single-user toilets with options for the installation of doors and sinks. These design choices allow teams working on projects to consider limitations on the physical space while designing for practical public use.
Do you have no sewer Connection? Take a look at the options
Remote recreation sites pose a distinct infrastructure problem. The closest sewer line could be miles away therefore flush toilets aren’t feasible.
In appropriate locations, vault toilets provide a waterless alternative. Instead of transporting wastewater through a sewer system these facilities store the waste in the vault, which must be serviced periodically.
The selection of vault toilets does not make it unnecessary to conduct the site’s planning. The project will still require the right conditions for ground and access for servicing gear, as well as appropriate ventilation.
Romtec is a manufacturer of vault toilets with waterless design that incorporate Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST), which is intended to manage the smells of odors with ventilation. For remote properties, selecting the sanitation system earlier will help avoid costly modifications to the building’s design later.
Construction Coordination Starts Before Delivery
A common misconception regarding prefabricated construction is that the majority of decision-making decisions for projects are made by the manufacturer. In actuality, preparation of the site and foundation requirements, utilities connections accessibility, as well as local approvals are still required to be coordinated. Romtec’s strategy for these projects is to build custom-designed kits and design help instead of relying exclusively on fixed structures.
The company is in close contact with the landscape architects, project owners and contractors to ensure that they match the specifications of construction to site requirements. This strategy is particularly useful when a restroom must match an existing architectural style or meet the unique requirements of a property.
The more questions you ask will help you develop a better plan
Owners should determine how utilities will be brought to the structure, how construction equipment can get to the site, and what approvals are required before purchasing restrooms.
It is essential to determine what sanitation system can handle the expected number of visitors and if the facility can be built without major infrastructure upgrades.
These questions are less exciting than architectural and exterior aspects, but can be more influential on the project’s costs and timeframe.
The public restroom projects which are successful don’t only complete the project in time. The structure, the site infrastructure as well as the construction process and the intended usage are all taken into account. When these decisions are taken before the restroom is completed, it has a stronger foundation for serving the community efficiently.