The park district approves financing of a new public toilet. The location has been chosen The building looks good and the construction team is now ready to start the construction process.
The contractor is then able to begin evaluating the site. The location chosen has drainage problems. Utility connections are further away than anticipated. Delivery vehicles might have trouble reaching the installation site, and the building layout might not align with the space available.
Image credit: romtec.com
None of these concerns necessarily implies that the project isn’t viable. They could, however, lead to redesigns and additional costs, in addition to construction delays. Developers and public agencies can manage bathroom projects better if the site conditions are considered right from the beginning.
Building drawings don’t tell the whole story
Prior to deciding on prefabricated restrooms for parks, the team must know what the surrounding property is capable of accommodating. The slope of the site and soil condition, drainage utilities, utility accessibility, and construction access can all affect the construction process.
A restroom in the playground, for instance it may require to be connected to the current infrastructure of water and sewer. If these connections are not accessible or cost prohibitive to construct, a new method may be required.
The building’s foundation and placement must also account for the applicable codes, accessibility requirements and specific site conditions. The basic layout of a building may appear to appear acceptable on paper however, it will require significant changes after taking these particulars into account.
Urban Projects have their own construction limitations
Installing sidewalk restrooms involves more than finding enough space for a compact structure. On public sidewalks, there are often underground utilities, pedestrian paths streets furniture, and construction entrances close by. Construction activities can also require collaboration with local authorities.
A bathroom placed too close to a utility line could complicate excavation or foundation work. Accessibility is another factor to be considered. The entrance and the surrounding access must satisfy all applicable requirements.
Romtec has ADA-specific, custom-designed toilets for single users, with the option of a sink and door position. This lets project teams design for public use and also consider physical limitations.
Are you without a sewer Connection? You should think about alternatives
Remote recreation sites face different infrastructure challenges. A trailhead might be far away from the nearest sewer which makes flushing toilets unpractical.
In appropriate locations where they are needed, vault toilets can be an alternative to water. They do not rely on an existing sewer to carry water, but instead they collect the waste in a tank which needs to be kept in good condition on a regular basis.
But, deciding to use vault toilets won’t be enough to mean that you can skip the planning requirements for the site. The project still requires appropriate ground conditions, as well as safe access for servicing gear, and a suitable ventilation.
Romtec creates vault toilets without water that come with its Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST) that is designed to control the odors by allowing ventilation. A well-planned selection of a sanitation system can reduce the cost of building modifications.
Construction Coordination begins before delivery
A common misconception regarding prefabricated construction is that all project decisions have already been taken by the builder. In actuality there are still a variety of things to coordinate, such as the preparation of the site and foundation requirements, accessibility, utility connections and local approvals. Romtec’s approach for these projects is via customized building kits and design assistance rather than relying on pre-built structures.
The company works together with landscape architects, contractors, and project owners to match building specifications with individual site requirements. This is especially useful when a bathroom must match an architectural style in particular or meet particular property conditions.
A better project starts with Better Questions
Owners need to first establish the exact location of the restroom as well as the manner in which construction equipment will enter the building, and also the required approvals.
The building should be constructed in a way that does not require major changes to the infrastructure around it.
The questions might seem less thrilling than choosing exterior finishes or architectural details, but they can have a greater influence on the cost of the project and its scheduling.
A successful public restroom project doesn’t mean delivering the building in time. It’s one where the design infrastructure, site infrastructure, construction process, and intended use have been considered together. Early decisions will ensure that the final restroom will be suitable to serve the local community more effectively.