A park district has approved the funding of the construction of a new public bathroom. The facility is in a good location and the team is ready for the next step.
Image credit: romtec.com
The contractor is then able to begin evaluating the site. The chosen location has drainage problems. Electricity connections are further away than what was expected. Delivery vehicles may face difficulties reaching the location of the installation and the construction configuration might not match the available space.
Any of these issues in no way means the project cannot proceed. However, they could result in redesigns and extra expenses, and construction delays. When site conditions determine the design of a building from the beginning this makes it simpler for builders and public authorities to manage bathroom projects.
The whole picture isn’t evident in a construction drawing
Before selecting prefabricated park restroom buildings, project teams should understand what the surrounding property can accommodate. The slope of the land, soil conditions and drainage and access to construction facilities and utilities will all influence the construction process.
If a bathroom is being planned close to a playground area It may be necessary to connect the restroom with existing sewer and water infrastructure. If the infrastructure in place isn’t available, or if it would be expensive to build new connections, a new sanitation technique could be needed.
It is essential to think about the site’s specific conditions as well as any relevant codes. A standard building layout may appear appealing on paper, however it requires significant modifications once these details are considered.
Urban Projects have their own construction constraints
It’s more complicated than finding a small space to set up a bathroom on the sidewalk. On sidewalks there are usually underground infrastructure, pedestrian routes, and street furniture. Coordinating with local authorities is often necessary for construction work.
If the toilet is situated too close to an existing utility line, it may cause foundation or excavation problems. Accessibility of the restroom is a further consideration. The entrance as well as the surrounding entrance must satisfy all requirements applicable to the project.
Romtec offers custom-designed ADA specific single-user restrooms including the option of a different location for the doors and sinks. This lets project teams prepare for public usage and also consider physical restrictions.
Do you have no sewer Connection? No sewer connection? Consider Alternatives
Remote recreation sites face a different infrastructure challenge. The trailhead can be far away from the nearest sewer, which makes flushing toilets a non-sensical option.
Vault toilets are an alternative to waterless toilets in certain areas. These toilets do not make use of the sewer system to move wastewater, but instead collect the waste in a tank, which must be maintained periodically.
The decision to install a vault toilet does not remove the need for plan of site. The project will still require suitable ground conditions and safe access to the equipment for servicing, and a suitable ventilation.
Romtec develops vault toilets without water that come with Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST) that is intended to manage the odors by allowing ventilation. For properties that are located in remote locations, selecting the sanitation system at an early stage can prevent costly changes to the building’s design later.
Construction Coordination Begins Prior to Delivery
One of the most common misconceptions about prefabricated construction is that all projects have already had their decisions made by the company that manufactured it. In practice, there are still many things to coordinate. These include foundation preparation, site preparation accessibility, connections to utilities and local approvals. Romtec’s approach to these projects is through customized building kits and design support instead of relying entirely on fixed structures.
The firm works closely with the landscape architects, project owners, and contractors to match building specifications to site requirements. This is particularly helpful when the bathroom needs to match an existing architectural style or adapt to unique property conditions.
The best questions are ones that will lead to better designs
Owners must determine how the utilities will be delivered to the building, what construction equipment can get to the building and what approvals are needed prior to purchasing restrooms.
It is vital to find out if the chosen sanitation system is able to handle the expected number of visitors and if the facility will still be able to be used without major infrastructure modifications.
These issues may not be as exciting than choosing exterior finishes or architectural details However, they impact more on project cost and scheduling.
A successful restroom project for the public doesn’t mean delivering an building on time. It’s one where the building and site infrastructure along with the construction process and the purpose of the restroom have been analyzed in conjunction. Early decisions will ensure that the final bathroom is able to serve the community more effectively.