A park district approves the funding of the construction of a new public toilet. The restroom is located in a good location and the team is ready for the next step.

Image credit: romtec.com

Then the contractor begins reviewing the location. The site chosen is prone to drainage issues. There are possibilities that utilities may be further from the site than expected. The delivery vehicle might struggle to reach the installation area as the proposed design doesn’t match the available space.

These issues don’t necessarily suggest that the project cannot continue. But, they could cause redesigns, further costs, or construction delays. Public agencies and developers can manage a bathroom construction project more efficiently if site’s conditions are considered prior to the project’s beginning.

Building plans don’t tell the entire story

Before selecting prefabricated park restroom buildings, project teams should understand what the surrounding property can accommodate. The slope of the site, soil conditions, drainage, utility availability, and construction access can all affect the design.

A restroom near a playground, as an example it may require to be connected to the current infrastructure of water and sewer. If the existing infrastructure is not available, or it would be expensive to expand those connections, then a brand new sanitation system may be needed.

In addition to the applicable codes and accessibility requirements, site-specific conditions must be taken into consideration when determining the base and position of a structure. A conventional building layout may appear appealing on paper, but it will require substantial changes after these factors are taken into consideration.

Urban Projects have their own construction limitations

It’s more complicated than finding a space small enough for a bathroom to be installed on the sidewalk. Along sidewalks are underground utilities, pedestrian routes and street furniture. The construction process may also require collaboration with local authorities.

The placement of a restroom too close to utility lines can complicate excavation or foundation construction. Accessibility adds another consideration. The entrance and its surrounding access must satisfy the requirements of all relevant regulations.

Romtec offers customizable ADA-focused single-user restroom units, including the option of a sink and door placement. These design choices enable project teams to respond to limitations on the physical space while planning for practical public use.

Not a sewer connection? Are you without a sewer line? Alternatives

Remote recreation areas have distinct infrastructure challenges. A trailhead may be located some distance away from the closest sewer which means flushing toilets aren’t feasible.

If located in the proper places, vault toilets can be a great alternative to water. They do not rely on an existing sewer to carry water, but instead they collect the water in a tank, which must be maintained periodically.

However, choosing vault toilets does not eliminate site-planning requirements. The project still needs suitable conditions for the ground, secure access for servicing equipment, appropriate ventilation, and compliance with relevant environmental regulations.

Romtec’s Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST) is employed to create water-free vault toilets. This can help control stinks through ventilation. The choice of the sanitation system early will help avoid costly changes to the style of the building in the future.

Construction Coordination starts before Delivery

A common misconception about prefabricated construction is that the majority of decision-making decisions for projects are made by the manufacturer. In practice, site preparation and foundation requirements, utilities connections accessibility, local approvals require coordination. Romtec’s approach to these types of projects is to use customized building kits and design support, rather than relying solely on pre-built structures.

The company collaborates closely with the landscape architects, project owners and contractors in order to match the building requirements to those of the site. This is especially helpful when the bathroom needs to conform to an existing architectural style or adapt to unique site conditions.

Better questions can help you create a better project

Owners must determine how the utilities will be delivered to the structure, how construction equipment will be able to access the site and what approvals are required before purchasing restrooms.

The building must be built in a way that doesn’t require any major changes to the infrastructure around it.

These questions may seem less interesting than choosing exterior finishes or architectural details however, they could have a greater influence on project costs and timeframes.

The public restroom projects that succeed don’t simply complete the project on time. A successful restroom project involves evaluating the construction, the infrastructure of the site as well as the its construction and planned use. Early decisions will ensure that the final bathroom is suitable to serve the local community better.