A park district approves the financing of an additional public toilet. The location was chosen The building looks good, and the project team is prepared to begin the process.
The contractor is then able to look over the site. There is a drainage issue at the site proposed. Electricity connections are farther away than was anticipated. The delivery vehicle may have difficulty to get to the installation area, and the building layouts might not match the available space.
Image credit: romtec.com
None of these issues necessarily implies that the project isn’t viable. They could, however, cause redesigns, and more costs, as well as delays in construction. For developers and public agencies bathrooms, the project is much more manageable if location conditions impact the design decision-making process from the beginning.
A Drawing of a Building doesn’t tell the whole story
Before deciding on the prefabricated park restroom buildings the project team must know what the property around it can accommodate. The slope of the land, soil conditions and drainage along with utility availability and construction access could all have an impact on installation.
A bathroom near a playground for instance it may require to be connected to the existing infrastructure of sewer and water. If those connections are unavailable or cost prohibitive to build, the project may need another sanitation strategy.
The building’s foundation and placement should also take into consideration applicable codes, accessibility requirements and specific site conditions. A typical building layout might appear attractive on paper but will require major changes once the details are analyzed.
Urban Projects are subject to their own limitations in terms of construction
It takes more than just finding a space small enough to put a restroom on the sidewalk. On sidewalks that are public, there are often underground utilities, pedestrian paths along with street furniture and access points close to. Construction projects may also require collaboration with local authorities.
If the toilet is situated too close to a utility line, it might cause foundation or excavation problems. Accessibility is another consideration to take into consideration. The entrance and surrounding approach should be constructed to meet any applicable requirements, not only be able to fit into the footprint available.
Romtec offers customizable ADA-focused single-user restroom units, including choices for sink and door placement. This lets project teams plan for public use as well as addressing physical limitations.
No sewer Connection? Think about the alternatives
Remote recreation sites pose unique challenge to infrastructure. The trailhead could be a few miles from the nearest sewer outlet, making traditional flush toilets inconvenient.
In appropriate locations, vault toilets provide a waterless alternative. These toilets do not make use of a sewer to transport wastewater, but instead store it in a storage tank that needs to be maintained regularly.
But choosing vault toilets doesn’t completely eliminate site-planning requirements. The project requires conditions for the ground, secure access to the equipment to be used for servicing, proper ventilation, and conformity with any applicable environmental regulations.
Romtec’s Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST) is used to design waterless vault toilets. This assists in reducing smells by allowing air to circulate. Early selection of a sanitation system can reduce the cost of building modifications.
Construction Coordination begins before delivery
The most commonly-held belief about prefabricated structures is that a majority of projects are designed by the manufacturers. However coordination is still required to prepare the site, utilities connections, accessibility and local approvals. Romtec offers custom-designed kit kits for building, design assistance as well as other services to assist with these tasks.
The company works closely with landscaping architects, project managers, and contractors to match the building requirements to those of the site. This is especially useful when a bathroom has to conform to an existing architectural style or adapt to unique properties.
By asking better questions, you create a better project
Before approving a purchase for a bathroom owners must determine how the facility will receive utilities, how construction equipment will reach the location, and what approvals are required.
The structure should be constructed in a manner that doesn’t need major modifications to the surrounding infrastructure.
These aren’t as exciting than architectural and exterior aspects, but can be more influential on the project’s cost and schedule.
It’s not enough to complete an item on time. The building, the site infrastructure, the construction process, and its intended usage are all considered. If those decisions are made earlier, the bathroom is more solid in serving the community in a way that is efficient.
