A park district approves the construction of an additional public toilet. The team behind the project has chosen the location, the building appears to be in a good location and is set to go ahead.
The contractor will then begin to examine the site. The proposed location has an issue with drainage. It is possible that the utility lines are further away than initially thought. The delivery vehicle might struggle to get to the installation area, and the building layouts might not match the available space.
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None of these concerns necessarily mean that the project can’t proceed. The issues can lead to changes, additional costs and construction delays. For public agencies and developers, a restroom project becomes more manageable when factors affecting the location influence the building selection from the beginning.
Building plans don’t tell the whole story
Project teams must take into account the size of the property prior to choosing a park bathroom that has been prefabricated. The installation can be dependent on the slope and drainage, as well as the utilities and construction accessibility.
A bathroom, for instance, built near a playground might require connections to the existing sewer and water systems. If these connections are not readily available or cost prohibitive to expand, a different approach may be needed.
The foundation of the building and its placement must also account for applicable codes, accessibility requirements and site-specific requirements. It’s possible that a standard building layout looks good on paper but requires significant modifications after these aspects have been considered.
Urban Projects have their own construction restrictions
The installation of sidewalk restrooms requires more than finding enough space to build a small structure. On sidewalks are generally underground infrastructure, pedestrian routes, and street furniture. Coordinating construction projects with local authorities may be important.
A restroom positioned too close to a utility corridor may cause problems with excavation or foundation work. Accessibility is a further consideration. Access to the entrance and its surroundings must be planned in accordance with applicable requirements.
Romtec has ADA-specific, custom-designed toilets for single users, with the option of a sink and door positioning. This lets project teams create a plan for public use, and also consider physical limitations.
No sewer Connection? You don’t have a sewer connection? Think about alternatives
Remote recreation sites present a unique infrastructure issue. The closest sewer line could be several miles away, which is why flush toilets aren’t suitable for remote locations.
In appropriate locations, vault toilets provide a waterless alternative. These toilets do not make use of a sewer to transport wastewater, but rather collect the waste in a tank which needs to be kept in good condition on a regular basis.
Choosing a vaulted toilet will make it easier to design your site. The construction requires adequate ground conditions, access to equipment that can be serviced safely, adequate ventilation and respect for environmental regulations.
Romtec’s Sweet-Smelling technology (SST) is employed to create water-free vault toilets. This assists in reducing smells by allowing air to circulate. Early selection of a sanitation system can make it easier to save money on building upgrades.
Construction Coordination begins before delivery
One of the most common misconceptions about prefabricated construction is that all projects have already had their decisions taken by the manufacturer. However coordination is still necessary to prepare the site, utilities connections, accessibility and local approvals. Romtec takes on these projects with custom-designed building kits and design services instead of relying on rigid, universally-sized structures.
The company collaborates together with landscape architects, contractors and project managers to align building specifications to meet the specific requirements of each site. This strategy is particularly beneficial when bathrooms must fit in with an existing architectural style or be able to accommodate unique property requirements.
A Successful Project Begins With Better Questions
Owners need to first establish where the restroom will be located before determining the route through which construction equipment can access the building, and also the approvals required.
The building must be built in a way that doesn’t require any major adjustments to the infrastructure.
The above questions might not seem as interesting than selecting architectural features or exterior finishes yet they can have more of an impact on project costs and schedule.
Public restrooms which are successful don’t only complete the project in time. It’s one that has the building infrastructure, site infrastructure and construction process as well as the intended usage have been thought of in conjunction. The early decision-making process will ensure that the final bathroom is suitable to serve the local community more effectively.