A park district has approved funding for an updated public restroom. The location has been chosen The building looks good and the team is prepared to go forward.
The contractor then begins to review the site. The proposed location is issues with drainage. There are more utility connections than what was expected. The delivery vehicle might struggle to reach the location as the proposed building configuration doesn’t align with the space available.
Image credit: romtec.com
Any of these issues in no way implies that the project isn’t viable. This can result in changes, additional costs and delays in construction. For developers and public agencies, a restroom project becomes more manageable when factors affecting the location influence the building choice from the start.
The entire picture cannot be visible in a drawing of the building
Prior to selecting prefabricated restrooms to be used in parks, the team must be aware of what surrounding property is capable of accommodating. The slope of the property soil condition and drainage and access to construction facilities and utilities, can all have an impact on installation.
A restroom close to a playground, for example it may require to be connected to the existing infrastructure of sewers and water. If the connections aren’t readily available or cost prohibitive to extend, a different approach may be needed.
In addition to the codes in force and accessibility requirements specific to the site, conditions that are unique to the area must be considered when determining base and position of a structure. The standard layout of the building may appear acceptable on paper but will require major changes when these details are taken into account.
Urban Projects are subject to their own restrictions in terms of construction
Installing sidewalk restrooms involves more than finding enough space for a compact structure. On sidewalks are generally underground utilities, pedestrian routes, and street furniture. Coordination of construction activities with local authorities is important.
A bathroom located too close to a utility line could cause difficulties with foundation or excavation work. Accessibility is another thing to take into consideration. Access to the entrance and its surroundings must be planned in accordance with any applicable requirements.
Romtec provides customizable ADA focused single-user restrooms, with options for the placement of door and sink. The design options give teams working on projects the ability to adapt to site limitations and design for an efficient public use.
There is no sewer Connection? Do you not have a sewer connection? Alternatives
Remote recreation sites present a unique infrastructure issue. The trailhead could be a few miles from the nearest sewer connection, making conventional flush toilets unsuitable.
When placed in the right locations they can provide an option to use water without. Instead of transporting wastewater through a sewer system, vault toilets collect the waste into the vault, which must be serviced periodically.
A vaulted toilet is make it easier to plan your site. The project still needs suitable terrain, safe access for the equipment to be used for servicing, proper ventilation, and compliance with the applicable environmental regulations.
Romtec creates vault toilets without water that come with Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST), which is designed to reduce the smells of odors with ventilation. Picking the right sanitation system ahead of time will prevent costly modifications to the style of the building in the future.
Construction Coordination Starts Before Delivery
A common misconception regarding prefabricated construction is that all projects have already had their decisions taken by the manufacturer. In reality, site preparation, foundation requirements, utility connections accessibility, as well as local approvals require coordination. Romtec’s approach to these projects is to use customized building kits and design support instead of relying exclusively on fixed structures.
The firm works closely with the landscape architects, project owners and contractors to ensure that they match specifications for building to the requirements of the site. This method is particularly useful when a bathroom must match a specific style of architecture or meet particular property conditions.
By asking better questions, you develop a better plan
Owners need to first establish the exact location of the restroom before determining the route through which construction equipment will enter the site, and the authorizations needed.
They should also understand whether the selected sanitation system is appropriate for the expected number of visitors and whether it is possible to install the facility without major changes to surrounding infrastructure.
These questions are less exciting than architectural and exterior aspects, but can affect more on the project’s price and timeframe.
Public restrooms that succeed don’t simply provide the facility on time. A successful restroom project will consider the structure, the construction of the site and the construction and the intended use. The final bathroom will be more effective when these decisions are taken in advance.
