How to choose a site toilet: chemical or prefabricated?

If the site or event area has no utility connections, the polyethylene chemical toilet is the simplest choice: it is charged with water and chemical additive and emptied at intervals. If instead the job lasts a long time, there are more people and you can connect water, drainage and electricity, a prefabricated module in insulated steel sheet is better, as it performs better in heat and in cold. In both cases check dimensions and weight: the collection includes cabins of about 112 x 112 cm weighing 75-85 kg and modules 2.5 m high on the outside.

The types

• Chemical toilets: self-contained polyethylene cabins, with no connections. There is the light version, such as the Rototec Light chemical toilets, and the one designed for access by people with disabilities, the Rototec chemical toilets for people with disabilities.
• Insulated steel sheet toilet units: pre-painted steel cabins with insulation, such as the Unimec FG series. The fittings vary: the FG12S model has a door and window, the FG14S is a steel sheet monobloc, the FG18S comes with a chemical squat toilet (T13) or with a chemical toilet bowl (V13).
• Prefabricated toilets: modules in insulated steel sheet, in several sizes and customisable, connected to water, drainage and electricity where provided. You will find them in the Metalbox prefabricated toilets line.

How to choose by job

Before choosing, look at the placement point: level, stable ground, close to the work area but reachable by the emptying vehicle. If the site changes phase and moves, a chemical toilet is easier to relocate; a prefabricated module needs its connections made again at the new point, so it makes sense when the position stays the same for the whole duration of the works.

The features to look at

• Material: polyethylene for chemical toilets, pre-painted steel or steel sheet for fixed cabins. Polyethylene is light and easy to sanitise; steel sheet is more rigid.
• Insulation: insulated cabins are more comfortable in extreme seasons. If the toilet stays in place all year round, it is worth it.
• Dimensions and height: on the FG12S model the external height is 2,500 mm and the internal height 2,150 mm. Check that it fits on the transport vehicle and under any obstacles. Some prefabricated modules are made to measure.
• Weight: the data show cabins of 75 and 85 kg. It tells you how, and with what, to move them.
• Fittings: squat toilet or bowl, door, window. Choose according to who will use it.
• Standards: EN 16194 appears for mobile toilets. If the specification requires it, ask for confirmation on the model's data sheet.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a chemical toilet for a job lasting months with many workers: emptying becomes frequent and comfort is low.
• Placing it where the emptying vehicle cannot reach.
• Not anchoring it to the ground in windy areas.
• Installing it on uneven or soft ground.
• Buying a prefabricated unit without checking where the water, drainage and power are.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a connection?

For chemical toilets, no: they are charged with water and chemical additive. Prefabricated modules are connected to water, drainage and electricity where the model provides for it.

How often is a chemical toilet emptied?

It depends on how many people use it and on the capacity of the model. It is emptied and sanitised periodically; the frequency should be agreed with whoever manages the service.

Squat toilet or bowl?

The bowl is more comfortable for everyone and better suited to a site with many people. The chemical squat toilet, as in the FG18S-T13 model, is an alternative: choose according to the habits of the people working on site.

Which is better for a road or country site?

Where there are no connections the chemical toilet is the natural choice. If the job lasts months and the service vehicle can arrive without problems, an insulated unit with a bowl or chemical squat toilet offers a sturdier cabin without mains connections.

Can a special size be requested?

For prefabricated modules the sizes vary and can be customised. Describe the use and the available space to the technicians.

You will find all the models in the toilets and washrooms collection: if you do not know which to choose, request a quote or ask the AMES technicians for advice.