A park district approves funds for the construction of a public restroom. The building is in an ideal spot and the team is ready to move on.
The contractor will then proceed to examine the site. The proposed site has an issue with drainage. Utility connections are further away than was anticipated. The delivery vehicle may have difficulty to get into installation areas and building configurations may not match the available space.
Image credit: romtec.com
The issues they face do not have to mean that the construction project won’t continue. These issues can lead to redesigns and additional costs, in addition to delays in construction. Developers and public agencies the bathroom project is more manageable when site conditions influence the building choice from the start.
The whole picture isn’t shown by a drawing of a building
Before choosing prefabricated park restroom buildings The project team should be aware of what the property around it can accommodate. The slope of the site, soil conditions and drainage and accessibility to utilities and construction will all affect the installation.
If the bathroom is to be constructed near a play area there is a possibility to connect the bathroom to existing sewer and water infrastructure. If these connections are not readily available or cost prohibitive to build, a different method may be required.
The building’s foundation and placement must be able to accommodate applicable codes, accessibility requirements and specific site conditions. It’s possible that a traditional construction layout appears appealing on paper, but it will require significant changes after these details are taken into consideration.
Urban Projects are subject to their own limitations in terms of construction
Installing sidewalk restrooms involves more than finding enough space for a compact structure. Along sidewalks are underground utility lines, pedestrian routes and street furniture. Construction activities can also require coordination with local authorities.
A restroom positioned too close to a utility line can make it difficult to excavat or foundation work. Accessibility is another factor to take into consideration. The entrance and the surrounding entrance must satisfy all applicable requirements.
Romtec offers customizable ADA specific single-user restrooms including options for placement of door and sink. Project teams can create a plan for public use, and also consider physical restrictions.
No sewer Connection? Think about the Alternatives
Remote recreation areas have distinct infrastructure challenges. The trailhead could be several miles away from the nearest sewer and renders flushing toilets impractical.
If they are located in the appropriate places, vault toilets can be a fantastic alternative to using water. Instead of transporting wastewater to a sewer system, they collect the waste and store it in a holding chamber that must be cleaned on a regular basis.
The choice of a vault toilet does not remove the need for plan of site. The construction requires adequate surface conditions, accessibility to servicing equipment safely as well as adequate ventilation, and respect for environmental regulations.
Romtec’s Sweet-Smelling technology (SST) is used to design waterless vault toilets. It helps to control smells by allowing air to circulate. The early selection of a sanitation facility can reduce the cost of building modifications.
Construction Coordination Starts Before Delivery
A common misconception about prefabricated construction is that a majority of decision-making decisions for projects are made by the manufacturer. However coordination is still required for site preparation, utility connections access, local approvals and accessibility. Romtec tackles these issues with modular building kits and design services instead of using only fixed, one-size-fits-all structures.
The company collaborates with landscaping architects, contractors, and project owners to coordinate construction specifications to meet the specific requirements of each site. This is especially advantageous when a bathroom needs to conform to an existing architectural style or adapt to unusual conditions on the property.
By asking better questions, you create a better project
Owners must decide how utilities will be supplied to the building, what construction equipment is able to get on the building and what approvals are required before approving the purchase of restrooms.
The structure should be constructed in a way that doesn’t require significant modifications to the surrounding infrastructure.
These aren’t as exciting than exterior finishes and architectural aspects, but can affect more on the cost of the project and schedule.
A successful public restroom construction doesn’t just mean that you can deliver a building on time. It’s one that has the building, site infrastructure as well as the construction process and intended use have been considered together. The finished bathroom will be more effective if these decisions are made well in advance.