The park district is able to approve funding for an updated public restroom. The location has been selected and the building appears to be suitable, and the project team is set to begin the process.
Image credit: romtec.com
The contractor is then able to examine the location. The chosen site has drainage problems. The utility connections are farther away than was anticipated. Delivery vehicles may struggle to get to the installation area, and building configurations may not meet the requirements of the space.
Any of these issues in no way implies that the project isn’t viable. However, they can lead to redesigns, additional costs, and delays in construction. Public agencies and developers can manage a bathroom project much more efficiently if site’s conditions are considered at the beginning.
The whole picture can’t be visible in a drawing of the building
Before selecting prefabricated park restroom buildings, project teams should understand what the surrounding property can accommodate. The slope of the location soil condition and drainage, as well as accessibility to utilities and construction access could all affect the design.
If a bathroom will be built near a play area it could be necessary to connect the restroom with existing sewer and water infrastructure. If the connections aren’t available or costly to expand and the project is not feasible, it may be required an alternative sanitation method.
The foundation and the location of the building must also account for applicable codes, accessibility requirements and specific site conditions. The standard layout of buildings may appear to appear appealing on paper however, it will require significant changes when these details are taken into account.
Urban Projects have their own construction constraints
In order to build sidewalk restrooms, it is necessary to have more than a area that is compact. Public sidewalks often contain underground utilities such as streets furniture, pedestrian routes as well as entrances to nearby buildings. The construction process may also require collaboration with local authorities.
If the toilet is situated too close to an existing utility line, it might cause foundation issues or excavation. Accessibility adds another consideration. The entrance and the approach must meet all requirements applicable to the project.
Romtec has ADA-specific, custom-designed toilets for single users, with choices for sink and door positioning. Project teams can plan for public use while also addressing physical site limitations.
Are you without a sewer line? You don’t have a sewer connection? Think about Alternatives
Remote recreation sites pose unique challenge for infrastructure. A trailhead might be several miles from the nearest sewer connection, making conventional flush toilets not practical.
If placed in the correct areas, vault toilets could be a great alternative to water. These toilets do not make use of the sewer system to move water, but instead they collect the water in a tank that must be regularly maintained.
The selection of a vault toilet does not eliminate the need for design and planning of the site. The project will still require suitable ground conditions and safe access to the equipment for servicing, and a suitable ventilation.
Romtec develops water-free vault toilets using Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST) the technology that is designed to manage smells through ventilation. An early choice of a sanitation solution can save money on building changes.
Construction Coordination Begins Prior to Delivery
The most popular misconception about prefabricated structures is that most project decisions are already made by the manufactures. In reality, site preparation and foundation requirements, utilities connections accessibility, local approvals are still required to be coordinated. Romtec’s strategy for these projects is to build custom-designed kits and design support, rather than relying solely on fixed structures.
The company works together with landscape architects, contractors and project managers to align building specifications to meet the specific requirements of each site. This is especially useful when a bathroom has to match a specific style of architecture or meet unusual property conditions.
A better project starts with Better Questions
Owners need to first establish where the restroom will be located, the way construction equipment will enter the building, and also the authorizations needed.
It is important to understand if the chosen sanitation system is able to handle the anticipated number of guests and if the facility will still be able to be used without major infrastructure improvements.
The questions might seem less interesting than choosing exterior finishes or architectural details and can, however, be more influential on the project’s cost and schedule.
It’s not enough just to finish a building in time. A successful public restroom project includes the construction, the infrastructure of the location as well as the its construction and planned use. The finished bathroom will be more effective if the decisions are made in advance.