A park district is able to approve the funding of an updated public toilet. The location has been chosen and the building is in good shape and the construction team is now ready to begin the process.

The contractor then begins to review the site. The drainage issue is an issue at the site proposed. The utility connections could be farther away than initially thought. The delivery vehicle might struggle to access the installation site as the proposed configuration of the building doesn’t fit with the space available.

Image credit: romtec.com

The project will not stop if any of the issues are addressed. These problems can cause changes, additional costs and delays in construction. For developers and public agencies, a restroom project becomes much more manageable if the site’s conditions affect the construction decision-making process from the beginning.

The whole picture can’t be evident in a construction drawing

Before deciding on the prefabricated restroom facilities to be used in parks, the project team must be aware of what surrounding property can be capable of accommodating. The site’s slope soil conditions, drainage and utility availability as well as accessibility to construction can all impact the design.

If a bathroom will be built close to a playground area it could be necessary to connect the restroom with existing water and sewer infrastructure. If those connections are not accessible or cost prohibitive to build or extend, the construction may require an alternative approach to sanitation.

The building’s foundation and placement should also take into consideration applicable codes, accessibility requirements and site-specific requirements. It’s possible that a typical construction layout appears appealing on paper, but it will require significant modifications after these aspects are taken into consideration.

Urban Projects Have Their Own Construction Restrictions

Installing sidewalk restrooms involves more than finding enough space for a compact structure. These sidewalks typically contain underground utilities including pedestrian routes, street furniture and entrances to buildings that are close by. Construction activities may also require collaboration with local authorities.

A bathroom that is too close to a utility corridor could cause difficulties with foundation or excavation work. Accessibility is another aspect to consider. The entrance and surrounding approach should be constructed to meet all applicable requirements, and not just conform to the existing footprint.

Romtec offers the option of customizing ADA single-user toilet units with options for placement of sinks and doors. These design choices allow teams to take advantage of physical site limitations while creating a plan for the practical use of public restrooms.

Are you without a sewer Connection? Take a look at the options

Remote recreation sites pose unique infrastructure problem. A trailhead might be several miles away from the closest sewer connection, making conventional flush toilets not practical.

If located in the proper places, vault toilets may be an excellent alternative to water. These facilities do not use the sewer system to move wastewater, but instead store it in a holding tank, which must be maintained periodically.

The selection of vault toilets does not remove the need for design and planning of the site. The project requires suitable terrain, access to the equipment for servicing safely with adequate ventilation and conformity with environmental regulations.

Romtec develops vault toilets without water that come with Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST), which is intended to manage the odors by allowing ventilation. The choice of the sanitation system early can prevent costly changes to the layout of the building in the future.

Construction Coordination Begins Prior to Delivery

A common misconception regarding prefabricated construction is that all project decisions have already been taken by the builder. However the coordination of project is still essential to prepare the site, utilities connections access, local approvals and accessibility. Romtec provides customizable building kits, design assistance and other assistance with these tasks.

The company collaborates closely with landscaping architects, project managers and contractors to align the building requirements to those of the site. This approach is particularly beneficial when a bathroom has to match an architectural style in particular or accommodate particular property conditions.

The most important questions are the ones that can lead to better projects

Owners need to first establish where the restroom will be located and the method by which construction equipment will enter the building, and also the authorizations needed.

It is crucial to know what sanitation system can accommodate the number of expected visitors and also if the structure is still able to be constructed without major infrastructure upgrades.

The questions are not as thrilling than the exterior finishes and architectural details but can affect more on the cost of the project and timeframe.

It’s not enough to deliver an building on time. The construction, the site infrastructure as well as the construction process and its intended usage are all taken into account. The bathroom that is finished will be more effective if these decisions are taken in advance.