So, you’ve ordered a porta potty for your construction site—great choice! Now it’s time to figure out the best spot for it. Here are five important factors to keep in mind to ensure your portable toilet is ideally located for you and your crew.
5 Key Considerations for Optimal Porta Potty Placement
Related: Take a look at this video to see what the 5 key points are, or read on!
1. Safety First
Safety is crucial when it comes to anything on a construction site, including your porta potty! Using the bathroom should never put anyone in harm’s way. Ensure it’s situated away from high-traffic areas and heavy machinery. If your site is near a busy road, position the bathroom behind a concrete barrier to protect users when entering and exiting. Additionally, avoid placing it near swinging machinery like excavators or cranes.
It’s also wise to consider security to protect against vandalism, and unintended use of the porta potty. Installing a lock will help ensure only you and your team are using it. Especially overnight when the site is unattended, you never know who might need to go! This will also help your bathroom stay as clean as possible. If you already have a temporary fence set up for your job site, consider placing your portable toilet inside the fence. This will not only protect against unwanted use of the unit, but also against vandalism. Lock up your fence at the end of the day, and sleep well knowing no one can access your porta potty!
2. Convenience Matters
When thinking about your porta potty placement, keep in mind your workers’ convenience. You don’t want to make them walk a mile to use the bathroom! Keeping the toilet close to the main work area reduces break time and can save you money. However, don’t place it so close that it occupies valuable space needed for tools and equipment. Make sure the path to the porta potty is clear of clutter to avoid safety hazards and ensure easy access.
3. Stability is Key
This one may seem obvious, but can be difficult to put into practice on a job site. You’ll want to place the porta potty somewhere where the ground is level, so it has a stable base. You don’t want that thing tipping over when someone is inside! If excavation or digging is taking place nearby, be vigilant about any changes to the ground that might affect stability. You may need to adjust the location as conditions change throughout the project.
4. Accessibility for Servicing
Keep in mind that your porta potty will need regular cleaning—typically once a week. Wherever you decide to place your portable toilet, it should be easily accessible to service vehicles. You don’t want to miss your weekly service, and have a dirty unit on site! It should be placed close to a road or driveway, and the truck shouldn’t have to drive on any grass to access your unit. Our trucks here at OneTwo Stop have about 40 feet of hose, so as long as the unit is within that distance, we can service it without a hitch.
5. Lighting Considerations
If your construction site operates after dark, lighting becomes a key factor. Most porta potties do not have interior lights. This means there’s as much light inside the unit, as there is outside. If you know you will be working at your construction site in the dark, placing the unit under a streetlight or lamppost can enhance visibility. The translucent roofs of most porta potties allow light to filter in, making it easier to see inside during nighttime use.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right location for a porta potty on a construction site requires careful consideration. By planning ahead, you can ensure your site operates smoothly and your workers have easy access to essential facilities. Happy building!
