The park district has endorsed the funding of a new public toilet. The project team has selected the location, the building seems to be in good shape and is ready to proceed.
The contractor is then able to begin evaluating the site. The drainage issue is an issue at the proposed site. The utility connections are farther away than expected. The delivery vehicle might struggle to reach the location, and the selected construction layout isn’t in line with the space available.
Image credit: romtec.com
The issues they face do not have to suggest that the project cannot proceed. These issues can result in redesigns and extra expenses, and delays in construction. Developers and public agencies are able to manage a bathroom construction project easier if the construction conditions are considered prior to the project’s beginning.
Drawings of buildings aren’t telling the whole story
Teams for projects should take into consideration the building’s capacity prior to selecting the prefabricated park restroom. The slope of the land soil, drainage and soil conditions, as well as utility availability and construction access could all affect the installation.
A bathroom near a playground, as an example could require being connected to the current infrastructure of sewers and water. If such connections aren’t readily available or cost prohibitive to extend, a different method may be required.
Alongside the relevant codes and accessibility standards, site-specific conditions must be considered when determining the foundation and placement of a structure. It is possible that a typical design layout for a building looks great on paper but will require major adjustments once these elements have been considered.
Urban Projects Have Their Own Construction Constraints
To install sidewalk restrooms, you need more than a area that is compact. Along sidewalks are underground utilities, pedestrian routes, and street furniture. Construction projects may also require collaboration with local authorities.
If a toilet is too close to a utility line, it can cause foundation or excavation problems. The accessibility of the restroom is also a consideration. The entrance and the route must be in compliance with any applicable requirements.
Romtec offers ADA-focused and customizable single-user restroom units, including choices for sink and door placement. These design choices enable teams working on projects to consider physical constraints of the site, while creating a plan for the practical use of public restrooms.
No Sewer Connection? Consider the Alternatives
Remote recreation sites present a distinct infrastructure problem. A trailhead might be some distance away from the closest sewerage source, which renders flushing toilets impractical.
In appropriate locations, vault toilets provide a waterless alternative. Instead of transferring wastewater through a sewer system, vault toilets collect the waste into the vault, which must be serviced periodically.
The option of vault toilets does not eliminate the need for site planning. The construction requires adequate soil conditions, access to equipment that can be serviced safely, adequate ventilation and compliance with environmental regulations.
Romtec makes water-free vault restrooms using Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST) which is a method that was developed to combat odors via ventilation. The choice of the sanitation system early will help avoid costly changes to 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 made by the company that manufactured it. In actuality, preparation of the site the foundation, requirements for foundations, utility connections accessibility, as well as local approvals will require coordination. Romtec’s strategy for these projects is to use customized building kits and design assistance instead of relying entirely on fixed structures.
The company works closely with landscape designers and contractors to ensure that building specifications match with specific site specifications. This approach is particularly beneficial when bathrooms must conform to the style of a particular architectural design or can accommodate unique property requirements.
The best questions are ones that will lead to more effective projects
Owners must determine how the utilities will be brought to the structure, which construction equipment will be able to access the building and the requirements for approval prior to buying restrooms.
They should also understand whether the system chosen for sanitation is suitable for the anticipated quantity of guests, and if it can be installed without major modifications to the surrounding infrastructure.
The questions may not be as interesting than selecting architectural or exterior finishes However, they have greater impact on project costs and project schedule.
It’s just not enough to build the building on time. The building, the site infrastructure and the process of construction and its purpose are all considered. The finished bathroom will be more effective if these decisions are made well in advance.