Portable Restrooms Purchasing Guide

Types & Uses

As mentioned earlier, there are different types of portable restrooms, useful for a variety of needs. The portable sanitation industry has developed into a $4 billion dollar a year business. Depending on your needs, there are trends regarding the industry that will impact your decision. The first factor is the answer to the question: what are you going to use it for? And secondly: where? Industrial uses vary from event or recreational purposes as the latter has a presentation factor involved. Out on a jobsite, functionality is more critical than appearance.

Below is a graph depicting the uses Purchasing.com customers are requesting portable restrooms for.

Construction
There are a variety of construction portable restrooms to choose from. Rental prices typically include transporting, cleaning and disposal services. The purchase price is just to own the unit; arranging for cleaning and disposal services, if not self-performed, falls on you and the company.

• Standard. Standard portable restrooms are 88”x44”x48”, large enough for one person. They are completely enclosed, with locking doors, non-slip floors and ventilation. New units can be purchased starting at $700 while used units begin at $300 for models in good condition. These can be rented for $60 - $100 a day or $150 - $300 a month.
• Deluxe. Deluxe models are wider than standard models at 62” instead of 44”, giving occupants more room in the interior of the unit with extra features. Deluxe models offer more amenities in terms of hand sanitizer dispensers, sinks, urinals or shelving. New units are $1200 and up, used units at $700 and up, and rentals are $100 - $150 a day or $300 - $500 a month.
• High Rise. High rise models are slightly smaller standard portable restrooms equipped with lift points to be hoisted by crane to elevated levels on the structure. They are of sturdier construction to withstand rugged conditions and use. They may or may not be fully enclosed as providing just sufficient privacy makes them more transportable. New units are $850 and up with quality used models at approximately $500. They can be rented for $100 a day or $200 a month.
• Rolling High Rise. Rolling high rise portable restrooms are different from their high rise counterpart in that they are smaller and roll on heavy duty, lockable casters. The reduced design includes partial doors and open top that allow the units to be placed in tight spaces. New units are $750 and up, used unit begin at $400 and they can be rented for $100 a day or $200 a month.
• Large Trailer. Large trailer models offer multiple stalls and sinks for job sites needing more facilities with some creature comforts. They typically include paper towels, hand sanitizer, pump activated sinks and some models also feature flushable toilet action. Large trailer models, fully assembled, start at $2500 while used units begin at $1500. Rental prices are $500 a day or $1000 a month.
• Waste Tank Expansion. Expanding the waste tank size increases the duration of time between emptying and cleaning actions. Purchasing a tank can cost you $150 or more, with used units at $50 and up. Renting expansion tanks is $25 a day or $100 a month.

Agriculture
For temporary agriculture jobs, such as an annual harvest, many companies use the same type of portable units as in the construction industry. However, for long-term jobs that require employees to work in remote areas, the preference is to use commercial-grade, large trailer portable restrooms with climate control, china toilets and hot water hand stations are preferred.

For the following industries, the USDA requires hand washing facilities to prevent contaminated food (which we go into more detail in the regulations section):

• Farming
• Ranching
• Livestock and dairy
• Plantations
• Orchards
• Vineyards

Such units are larger, can serve up to 125 people and are pulled behind trucks similar in size and shape to a horse trailer or camper. They have steps and handrails for access to the facilities, water tanks, and waste disposal features so they can be emptied at a dump station.

Trailers begin at $12,000 for new, mid-range models with used ones available for as little as $7,000 in good condition. Rentals are $500-$700 a day and $2000-$2500 a month.

• NOTE: For new units used primarily in construction and agriculture, the price does not include a charge for cleaning and disposal services. Those charges depend on distance from the vendor or dealer to the job site and the frequency necessary to stay in compliance with regulations and maintain sanitary standards. Since pricing is so dependent on specific situations, speak with your dealer to determine cost and any deals or discounts connected to your purchase.

Luxury needs
Luxury portable restroom models are not necessarily larger than the types previously discussed. Instead, the features that make them stand out are the amenities that increase their similarity to regular bathrooms; they are even constructed in fashionable colors with modern lines and shapes for the best presentation effect.

Luxury portal restrooms can come equipped with the following amenities to simulate a real bathroom in every way:

Mirrors Paper towels Steel or china sink bowls Fresh water flushing

Soap dispenser Coat hook Shelving Toilet seat sanitizer

Luxury portable restroom models are available in single units and as large trailer units. They also have wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant units with all the same features and benefits. Single units can be purchased for $2000 and up with gently used at $1200 and up. Trailer models begin at $15,000 for new mid-range models with used ones available for as little as $8,000 in good condition. Rentals are $600-800 a day and $3000-$3500 a month, although such rentals are normally for short period events lasting a single day to less than a week.

Outdoor events
The type of portable restroom for outdoor events runs the full gambit of all the models previously discussed. The size and type for your event depends on your budget, number of people in attendance and duration. Single day family sport tournaments may not require luxury large trailers while a huge, fancy wedding might. A musical event over five days may require dozens, if not hundreds of units, to accommodate attendance numbers.

Plumbing options
All models, from standard to large luxury trailer, will require disposal. There are, however, different flushing and plumbing options that move the waste to the holding tank.

• Waste tank. The most common version as the waste tank simply sits under the toilet.
• Fresh water flushing. This pulls fresh water from a holding tank through the use of a handle or pump.
• Recirculating. This option recycles the grey water (dirty water) from the sink use to flush the waste into the holding tank.
• Combo flush. This type combines fresh water and grey water to execute the flush.
• Foot or hand-operated. This option pulls fresh water from a holding tank via a foot pedal or hand pump.
• Electric powered. Most often found in large trailer units, this type requires access to an electrical outlet or a generator.

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Regulations

Given the sanitary and environmental implications, the use of portable restrooms is heavily regulated. OSHA has requirements based on industry and most municipalities want you to get permits before placing portable restrooms in public areas.

OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires portable restrooms at construction sites to avoid adverse health effects that occur when employees do not have access to facilities. Employers must also provide adequate hand washing facilities in close proximity. Such stations need to be equipped with whatever cleansing chemicals will wash away the materials with which they work; for instance, paint, glue and grease.

OSHA also requires one unit per ten workers for a forty-hour work week. They must be kept in sanitary conditions, which by ANSI Z4.3 means the units provided per the OSHA standard should be serviced at least once per week. These same standards apply to all industrial and agricultural activities as well, although agricultural organizations have an additional requirement – which we explain next.

USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instituted a program to prevent contamination of fresh food as it grown and gathered. The measure, called “Good Agricultural Practices” or GAP, measures a participant’s compliance with the standard. It evaluates portable restrooms to ensure they are GAP compliant restrooms, ensuring food is safe and healthy. Beyond properly provided and maintained facilities, employees are expected to:

• Wash their hands before returning to work.
• Understand posted signs issuing such instructions.
• Document that facilities are serviced and cleaned on a regular basis.

Locations
If you are renting portable restrooms, the driver(s) from the rental company will inspect your site, and with your input on considerations and preference, determine the most reasonable and safe placement of the units. Regardless of jobsite or recreational event, these are the guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their storm water prevention plan guidance for location determination:

• Units should be placed on flat ground, stable with clear access to the door.
• Units should be at least twenty feet from any slope storm drain, pond or stream.
• Units should be at least ten feet from any curb or gutter.
• If the last two distances cannot be met, the unit should be surrounded by sandbags or spill retention devices.
• Avoid placing on concrete, asphalt or similar surfaces. Grass, sand and gravel will absorb liquid in case of spills or leaks.
• Locate away from main traffic areas for pedestrians or moving equipment.
• Position for easy access by the pump truck and service staff.
• Secure units to the ground or each other in high wind areas or conditions.
• Note the location of the portable toilets on the storm water pollution prevention on construction sites.

Permits
There are no federal requirements for portable restroom placement or use. However, that varies by state and by municipality. Many counties, towns and cities have permit requirements for placing porta potties in public areas and jobsites. Work with the local government officials to determine your responsibilities.

Security
Most units will come standard with a catch mechanism in the door signifying occupancy and holding the door shut while in use. If you need additional security, such as the ability to lock the unit to keep unauthorized personnel from using it in your absence, there are portable toilet locking kits starting around $15 each. Talk with your dealer for specialty add-ons or other advice on what to use.
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Maintenance

Maintenance is an absolute must for portable restrooms, not only for sanitary reasons, but also to stay compliant and ensure proper operation. If you are renting units, the dealer will clean, empty, drain and service them as part of the rental price. It is important to give them the following information, not only to help you determine how many units are necessary, but also how frequently they will provide services:

• Type of event. Will everyone want to use the restroom at once, like intermission at a concert? Is attendance constant throughout the day? This influences both number of units and service frequency.
• Number of attendees. The number of people at your event at any given time will help establish the frequency of cleaning for the portable restrooms. Fewer restrooms mean more frequent cleaning at consistent high volume occasions.
• Duration of event. This lets the company know how long the units will be in place to schedule the determine number of services.
• Outside temperature. Warmer temperatures will necessitate more frequent services to control odor.
• Food and beverage availability. Units are used more frequently when food and drink are available at the job site or event site, especially on a continual basis.
• Special needs. Will there be families? Do you want to provide separate male and female facilities? If there are handicapped attendees, or possible ADA compliant issues, accommodations should be made.
• Terrain and curbing. It needs to be considered for pump truck access as well as a handicap accessibility concerns during placement.

If you own the portable restrooms and are handling maintenance yourself, here are recommended activities and checkpoints:

An unwillingness to perform maintenance is why portable restrooms are more frequently rented than purchased. PSAI estimates that as high as 90% of portable restroom owners that are not industry dealers or renters still pay a waste disposal company to perform cleaning, servicing and maintenance on their units.

Cleaning chemicals
One portable restroom, on average, can handle 720 uses before it reaches full capacity . Portable restrooms, when cleaned and serviced properly, provide a safe and sanitary setting. The industry average is servicing every 240 uses. Some dealers make it a point to estimate a possible 90 to 100 uses and base their service schedule around that.

There are many different cleaning chemicals that can be used to clean portable toilets. Since the cleaning chemicals will be disposed of in the same place as the other waste, talk with the dumping station or other facility to ensure they approve of your cleaning supply product list. Industry-wide, manufacturers and dealers are suggesting the use of products that eliminate harmful chemicals that would impact the environment.

These include:

• Citrus-based, non-caustic and non-flammable cleaning liquids
• Toilet deodorizes that are free of formaldehyde
• Uses of refills versus aerosol cans to reduce propellants and disposable cans
• Purchasing cleaning chemicals in bulk to reduce or eliminate waste

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Add-ons

There are add-ons and options you can choose to customize your portable restroom purchase or rental to meet your specific jobsite or event needs. There are several listed in this article and organized below:

[table]
Construction Use, Price, Event Use, Price
Restroom Sink, $250, Restroom Sink, $250
Liquid Soap Dispenser, $30, Liquid Soap Dispenser, $30
Paper Towel Dispenser, $10, Paper Towel Dispenser, $10
Split Tank, $200, Recirculating Flush, $400
Recirculating Flush, $400, Shelving, $20
Shelving, $20, Gender ID Signs, $20
Locking Kit, $15, Deodorizers, $15
Deodorizers, $15
[/table]

There are also add-ons for cold weather. These are typically used by construction and industrial industries to maintain comfort. The most common is to mix anti-freeze with the deodorizing water that is put in the tank. It keeps the water from freezing. If you own the units and self-perform disposal, check with the dump station or disposal facility to ensure the anti-freeze is acceptable.

Those units that will be in storage or not in use during cold weather conditions should be winterized. This is accomplished by using one half cup antifreeze for every five gallons of water. Flush the mixture down the toilet. This inserts anti-freeze through the entire plumbing system. Next, flush one half cup rock salt into the tank. When the weather warms up, service the portable restroom as usual.

For event management purposes, you can add diaper changing tables or child-sized toilet seats. They are huge conveniences for families that may be in attendance, especially weddings and family reunions.
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