A park district is able to approve the financing of an additional public toilet. The project team has decided on the location, the building seems to be in good shape and is set to go ahead.
The contractor begins to look over the site. The proposed location has a drainage issue. There are more utility connections than anticipated. Delivery vehicles may have difficulty reaching the installation site, and the construction configuration could not fit with the available space.
Image credit: romtec.com
The issues they face do not have to mean that the project can’t proceed. The issues can lead to revisions, costs and construction delays. For developers and public agencies the bathroom project is much easier to manage when location conditions impact the design decision-making process from the beginning.
A Drawing of a Building Doesn’t Tell the entire story
Before choosing prefabricated restroom buildings for parks, the construction team should know what the surrounding property can be capable of accommodating. The slope of the land soil, drainage and soil conditions, as well as accessibility to utilities and construction are all factors that can influence the construction process.
For instance, a bathroom planned near a playground may require connections to the existing sewer and water systems. If the infrastructure in place is not available, or if it is expensive to build new connections, a new sanitation technique could be needed.
It is crucial to take into consideration the specifics of the site’s conditions in addition to any applicable laws. The standard layout of the building may appear acceptable on paper but will require major changes when these details are taken into consideration.
Urban Projects Have Their Own Construction Constraints
It’s more than getting a small space to put a restroom on the sidewalk. The sidewalks that are public usually have underground utilities such as pedestrian routes, street furniture and building entrances that are near. Coordinating construction activities with local authorities may be essential.
If a bathroom is too close to an existing utility line, it may result in foundation or excavation issues. Accessibility is a further consideration. The entrance and the surrounding area must be designed to meet all applicable requirements, and not just fit within the available footprint.
Romtec offers custom-designed ADA focused single-user restrooms, with options for the placement of sink and door. Project teams can prepare for public usage and also consider physical limitations.
No Sewer Connection? Think about the Alternatives
Remote recreation sites present a unique infrastructure challenge. The trailhead may be a few miles from the nearest sewer, which makes conventional flush toilets unsuitable.
In appropriate locations, vault toilets provide a waterless alternative. Instead of transferring wastewater through the sewer system, these toilets store waste in a holding vault that must be regularly maintained.
However, choosing a vault toilet doesn’t mean that you can skip the planning requirements for the site. The construction still requires suitable ground conditions, safe access to the equipment to be used for servicing, proper ventilation, and adherence to relevant environmental regulations.
Romtec designs vault toilets without water that come with its Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST), which is intended to help manage odors through ventilation. The selection of a sanitation system early can help prevent expensive changes in the design of the building in the future.
Construction Coordination Begins Prior to Delivery
One of the most frequently-held misconceptions about prefabricated constructions is that the majority of project decisions are already made by the manufacturer. In actuality, preparation of the site foundation requirements, utility connections, accessibility, and local approvals still need coordination. Romtec provides customizable kits for construction, design guidance and other services to help with these projects.
The company works with landscape architects, contractors, and project managers to align building specifications in accordance with the particular requirements of each site. This is particularly helpful when the restroom needs to conform to an existing architectural style, or accommodate unique particular property requirements.
The most important questions are the ones that result in more successful projects
Owners should determine how utilities will be supplied to the structure, which construction equipment can access the site, and what approvals are required before purchasing restrooms.
It is vital to find out what sanitation system will be able to accommodate the expected number of visitors and also if the structure is still able to be constructed without major infrastructure modifications.
These kinds of questions aren’t as exciting than the exterior finishes and architectural aspects, but can influence more on the cost of the project and schedule.
It’s not enough just to finish an item on time. A successful public restroom project is one that considers the construction, the infrastructure of the location as well as the construction and intended usage. The early decision-making process will ensure that the final restroom will be suitable to serve the local community better.