A park district approves funding for the construction of a new public toilet. The location has been chosen, the building looks suitable and the construction team is ready to begin the process.
Image credit: romtec.com
The contractor then begins to review the site. The proposed site has an issue with drainage. It is possible that the utility lines are further from the site than expected. The delivery vehicle might struggle to get to the installation area, and the building layouts might not match the available space.
None of these issues necessarily suggests that the project will not proceed. The issues can lead to revisions, costs and delays in construction. Developers and public agencies can manage a bathroom project much more efficiently if site’s conditions are considered prior to the project’s beginning.
A drawing of a building doesn’t tell the entire story
Before selecting prefabricated park restroom buildings, project teams should understand what the surrounding property can accommodate. The site’s slope soil, drainage conditions, utility availability, and access to construction sites can all influence the design.
A restroom in a playground for instance could require being connected to the current infrastructure of sewer and water. If the current infrastructure is not in place or if it’s expensive to build new connections, then a brand new sanitation technique could be needed.
The building’s foundation and placement must be able to accommodate any applicable codes, accessibility rules and site-specific requirements. A conventional building layout may appear attractive on paper however it requires significant modifications once these aspects are considered.
Urban Projects have their own construction limitations
It’s more complicated than getting a small space to set up a bathroom on a sidewalk. On public sidewalks there are usually underground utilities, pedestrian trails along with street furniture and entrances that are close. Construction activities may also require collaboration with local authorities.
If a bathroom is too close to a utility line, it could cause excavation or foundation problems. Accessibility of the restroom is a further consideration. The entrance and its surrounding route must be in compliance with all requirements applicable to the project.
Romtec provides customized ADA single-user toilets with options for the location of the sinks and doors. Project teams can plan for public use while also considering physical site limitations.
No sewer Connection? Think about the Alternatives
Remote recreation sites face different infrastructure challenges. The trailhead can be several miles away from the nearest sewerage and makes flushing toilets a non-sensical option.
Vault toilets offer an alternative to toilets without water in certain locations. They do not rely on the sewer to transfer water, but instead they collect the waste in a tank, which must be maintained regularly.
The decision to install a vault toilet does not completely eliminate the need for design and planning of the site. The project will still require suitable ground conditions and safe access for servicing gear, along with adequate ventilation.
Romtec makes water-free vault restrooms equipped with Sweet-Smelling Techniques (SST) A technology designed to control odors via ventilation. Picking the right sanitation system early will prevent costly modifications in the design of the building in the future.
Construction Coordination begins before delivery
One of the most common misconceptions about prefabricated construction is that most construction decisions are already taken by the manufacturer. In reality there are a lot of things to coordinate, such as foundation preparation, site preparation access to utilities, as well as local approvals. Romtec provides customizable kits for construction, design guidance and other services that can assist with these projects.
The company works closely with landscape builders and architects to ensure that construction specifications meet site-specific requirements. This method is particularly useful when a bathroom must match the style of a particular architectural design or can accommodate unique property requirements.
A better project starts with Better Questions
Before approving a purchase for a bathroom, owners should establish the manner in which the building will receive utilities, how construction equipment will reach the facility and what authorizations are required.
It is crucial to know if the chosen sanitation system can handle the expected number of visitors and also if the structure is still able to be constructed without major infrastructure upgrades.
The above questions might not seem as relevant than choosing exterior finishes or architectural features yet they can have greater influence on project cost and timeframe.
A successful restroom project for the public doesn’t mean delivering the building in time. The building, the site infrastructure and the process of construction and its intended use are all considered. If those decisions are made in the early stages, the final bathroom is a better foundation for serving the community effectively.
