The portable toilet is a lightweight, transportable, efficient and more sanitary variation of a common facility for the elimination of human waste that existed before the advent of indoor plumbing—the outhouse. Before indoor plumbing allowed for the development of a system for transporting human waste from a receptacle to a sewer system through a series of pipes and other plumbing apparatus, humans often attended to their need to eliminate waste in an isolated stall located outside of living and working quarters, if they elected to use any type of structure at all. Typically, this stall contained a bench with a large hole cut into it. The waste was deposited through the hole directly to the ground below. A more refined version of the outhouse was the water closet, an indoor facility with a water tank and flushing system that deposited the waste in a cesspit below. The advent of indoor plumbing led to the development of the first modern toilet in 1843, although toilets hooked up to sewage systems did not come into general use until the Victorian era when modern sewage systems began to be constructed. Still, this innovation was not useful for those who worked or otherwise congregated in outdoor areas with no access to such a facility. Some such venues, such as many roadway rest areas, camping facilities, and children's summer camps, still utilize rustic outhouses. Since at least the 1960s, many other venues, especially those where populations congregate only for temporary periods, have featured lightweight, sanitary portable toilet facilities—easily transportable, private, individual plastic stalls containing toilets, each with its own independent sanitary system consisting of rudimentary plumbing, a holding tank, and sanitizing chemicals. Portable toilets are most commonly used at construction sites, outdoor parking lots, and other work environments where indoor plumbing is inaccessible, and at large outdoor gatherings such as concerts, fairs, and recreational events. The earliest known toilet facilities date back to the third millennium B.C. Rudimentary lavatory facilities have been discovered in the form of recesses in stone walls of houses in Scotland dating back to around 2,800 B.C. Around the same time, it appears that Western-style lavatory facilities were being constructed from bricks with wooden seats in Pakistan. Sewage fell through a chute to a drain or cesspit. In Egypt, toilets have been found in the bathrooms of tombs, presumably for use in the afterlife. The first portable toilet dates back to the mid-fourteenth century B.C. In Egypt, a wooden stool with a large slot in the middle for use with a pottery vessel beneath it was discovered in the tomb of Kha, the senior official of the Thebes workmen's community. Until the eighteenth century, the portable chamber pot, a slightly more modern variation of this first portable toilet, was the most commonly used lavatory facility. The notion of a flushable toilet was developed by the Elizabethan poet Sir John Harington, who designed an indoor water closet containing a toilet facility that could dilute sewage with water contained in a cistern. This invention was significantly enhanced by Thomas Crapper, who in 1886 created the first flushable toilet featuring a water tank placed high above the toilet bowl to actually flush out the contents of the bowl, rather than merely dilute them. As public sewage systems became more developed, Crapper's invention became common. In the twentieth century, inventors have combined the portability of the more ancient lavatories with the sanitary benefits of the modern toilet to create a contained system that is also compact, lightweight, and transportable. The portable toilet, commonly called the Porta-John after one prominent manufacturer of this product, is now a common feature at work sites and events that do not have access to sewer systems.

You see them (and have used them) at festivals, fairs, and outdoor areas, but do you know how porta-potties work? Porta-potties are a staple at any large outdoor event. In construction, they are required by law to be placed on job sites. These portable loos provide convenient access to a restroom, prevent contamination of the site, and help workers remain focused and comfortable on the job. While they aren't very pretty, porta-potties do get points for being functional and inexpensive to rent. They also save a lot of water – an estimated 45 million gallons a year – and they're better than squatting it out on a construction site. So, how do porta-potties work? Here's how they help you do your duty. Portable Toilet Design A porta-potty – also called a portable toilet, chemical toilet, or porta-john – consists of a translucent roof, vents, and a high-density body made of aluminum and polyethylene. On the inside of the compartment, there is a non-splash urinal, toilet seat, holding tank (usually 60 gallons), and a non-slip floor to prevent any messy accidents. Some units also contain a flushing mechanism and pressure system that help circulate water and chemicals inside the tank. Unlike outhouses, porta-potties are not connected to any plumbing or sewage and their primary purpose is to hold waste temporarily until it can be disposed of by a professional sanitation team. What is the Chemical Used Inside Portable Toilets? While there is no universal formula for the chemical inside a porta-potty, the five main ingredients inside that blue swamp are: Water Blue Dye Fragrance Surfactants Biocides and enzymes Dye is mixed into water to help hide the appearance of waste. Blue chemicals are the standard because they turn green after mingling with enough waste, indicating to workers that the chemicals inside are no longer effective and should be replaced. Fragrances are used to mask some of the foul smell. Bubblegum and cherry are two of the most commonly used scents. Surfactants placed in the concoction also help the fragrances dissolve better in water, helping the scent spread more uniformly throughout the unit. Biocides and enzymes are used in most modern porta-potty units is comprised of enzymes and microbes that feed on the odor-causing bacteria in human waste and speed up the decomposition of organic matter, making disposal easier later on. Porta-Potties and Weather While porta-potties are usually effective, weather can compromise them. Hotter temperatures can intensify odors emitted by waste bacteria, causing them to stink up the unit more quickly. To combat this, operators bump up the chemical-to-water ratio in the summer. While a porta-potty unit contains vents and can also reflect light to help reduce heat, it is also wise to move the unit to an area with less direct light and where there is more natural airflow. When weather is colder, on the other hand, a salty brine must be added to the chemical tank in order to prevent it from freezing. To do so, porta-potties include a clever salt-emission tool: as porta-potty patrons use the urinal, a cake of rock salt releases more brine into the tank to lower the freezing point of the chemical solution and prevent the formation of frozen excrement (which, needless to say, would make cleaning very difficult). How are Porta-Potties Emptied? Because they are self-containing, the waste in porta-potties needs to be removed by very dedicated people. On an average day, a sanitation worker will service 40 to 50 units, and porta-potties are cleaned on a weekly basis or approximately once every 100 uses. To empty the unit’s bowels, sanitation workers connect a vacuum directly to the holding tank or output hole if the unit has one. The vacuum suctions the waste into a large tanker truck that is equipped with a waste storage unit and a smaller freshwater tank. Once the waste is removed, workers fill the porta-potty holding tank with some fresh water, dye, and an enzyme solution. They then spray the walls, floors, seats, and urinals to clear bacteria and any doo that might have splashed around. Paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizers, and other supplies are restocked. The tanker truck then delivers the waste to a municipal treatment plant to be disposed of along with the waste from traditional plumbing systems. Are Porta-Potties Safe? Porta-potties are safe to use for your waste disposal needs, but they do have a messy reputation. Almost 75 percent of users feel that porta-potties are not a clean solution. 95 percent refuse to make any contact with the seat. The truth is, many porta-potties look unsanitary because they are not properly maintained. While bacteria for illnesses such as norovirus, shigellosis, salmonella, and hepatitis A can be caught from portable toilets, any individual can avoid being affected with proper hygiene and a healthy immune system. Studies even show that you are more likely to catch disease-carrying germs during a picnic than while you are using a porta-potty. As with other things, you should be fine using a porta-potty as long as you follow common sanitation practices. How about the safety of the chemicals inside a porta-potty? While portable toilets used to contain formaldehyde, the same chemical used to preserve human tissue, it has become outlawed in many states due to its toxicity, which can be dangerous to human health and have negative effects on the environment. Today, porta-potties use biocides that are non-toxic in its diluted form. What to Consider Before buy a Porta-Potty Portable toilets come in many shapes, sizes, and features. When renting a porta-potty, there are a few important factors to consider. Type of Project or EventThe event type will help determine the correct kind of portable toilet and how much rental time you need. For example, you can choose from standard porta-potties or upgrade to “luxury” trailers and climate-controlled units based on the project. Number of PeopleThe general rule of thumb is that there should be one porta-potty for every 40 to 60 people – if it's for a construction site, that ratio should be higher at one unit for every 20 workers. LocationIf you have more land to cover, you'll need to rent more units. The proximity of the unit to your event or construction site will also affect the delivery and maintenance costs. MaintenanceDepending on the length of your event, more regular maintenance might be required to keep the porta-potties clean. You'll also want to confirm that the company you choose upholds appropriate sanitation standards. Portable toilets have come a long way over the years. Some units now have marble walls, porcelain seats, flushing systems, and sanitation amenities. The bottom line: porta-potties provide an effective, safe, and inexpensive way to take care of your business. Looking for on-site solutions for your next construction project? Topindus offers a variety of portable toilets.

Portable toilets give you the opporutnity to provide attendees or guests with a toilet throughout your event. However, they are designed for 24 hours of use; then, they need to be sanitized and emptied. When your event runs over the 24-hour period, you want to keep the washrooms clean. More so, when your event runs long term, such as a week or even an entire season, you need to take extra steps to prevent smells, keep them sanitized, and stay up to code. No matter how long you have a portable restroom in use, you can keep it clean and fresh for weeks or months by doing the following: Utilize Cleaning Tablets – A cleaning tablet can be dropped at the bottom of a portable toilet. While the tablet will not clean it, it will keep away the odours and prevent germs from spreading inside your portable bathroom. Also, it gives the scent of freshness, which encourages people to use your portable toilets. Stock Supplies – To keep your portable toilet in operation, you need to ensure it is well stocked. That means keeping an eye on toilet paper, hand sanitizer levels, and air freshener. Give Them Air – Portable toilets need air to refresh. If you can, leave the door open and give it some air, because being closed and in the sunlight can make odours worse than they really are. Use air freshener, cleaning tablets, and keep the doors open when you can to keep smells at bay. Try to find a time when your potable toilets are not in use so that you can air them out appropriately. Sanitize the Vulnerable Points – One of the most overlooked portable toilet maintenance tips is sanitizing the most touched points. Certain areas of the toilet are used more than others; therefore, you want to sanitize these areas. Naturally, the company you used for your porta potty rental in Cold Lake should clean and sanitize, but you can follow up too by cleaning handles, dispensers, and toilet paper holders. Keeping your portable toilet up to par and making sure that you have adequate restrooms for your guests is not easy. Luckily, when you follow these portable toilet maintenance tips and combine them with a pumping service regularly, you have toilets that are ready to use no matter how long you have them out.

Portable toilets work by flushing water from a hidden water tank, that’s fitted inside the toilet, or it uses toilet chemicals from the holding tank. As portable toilets don’t need to be connected to the mains, the toilet will hold all its waste and liquids. The waste is then carried away to a tank that’s secured underneath the cabin and eventually broken down by chemicals within the tank. Toilets. We can’t live without them, and when we need them most, we’re scrambling around looking for the closest one! Thankfully, whether you’re attending an event or working on a construction site, toilets are a must, and in most cases, a legal requirement. So, next time you’re queuing up to use the loo, remember this handy guide on how portable toilets work to spark up an unlikely conversation. What are the technical components of a portable toilet? Interestingly, Portable toilets are made up of four main components, which are: Toilet Seat Holding Tank Flushing Mechanism Pressure System Let’s dive a bit deeper into each component. Toilet Seat We don’t need to explain this one. However, we do recommend closing the lid after use! Holding Tank The holding tank of a portable toilet is exactly what it says on tin! It holds all the waste and is placed underneath the seat of the portable toilet, it also holds chemicals inside that help to break down any solid waste, eradicate germs and get rid of any bad smells that may be in the holding tank. Flushing Mechanism The flushing mechanism within the portable toilet is simply the process after you flush away your waste. Portable toilets either flush through toilet chemicals or water from a tank. Pressure System The pressure system works alongside the flushing mechanism to support the waste being moved into the tank, where pressure is created that circulates the water or chemicals through the pipe of the portable toilet and into the holding tank. What happens to the waste? A lot of people who use portable toilets are unaware of what happens to the waste inside. The waste will be emptied by the company that you’re renting your portable toilets from, and the process should be done on a weekly basis on your construction site, and in some cases on a daily basis for large events to prevent waste from overflowing. Your hire company will extract the waste from an output hole by using a large vacuum to suck out all the waste. The waste will be transferred into a separate tank to be exported to an Environment Agency Waste site. Don’t stop here, find out more about our portable toilet servicing. What type of portable toilets are there? When looking at portable toilets, you may not understand the difference between the various portable toilet options that are out there. The most common portable toilet is the Standard Portable Toilet, which is a very easy piece of equipment to use as they act as simple everyday toilets and are easily accessible. Most portable toilets are very similar, however disabled portable toilets are the most unique with different features to accommodate those with disabilities. These portable toilets ensure that people with disabilities have a designated toilet and prevents them from having to look for an accessible area to go the toilet.

When Porta Potties are serviced the waste is removed, odor neutralizing blue liquid is re-added to the tanks, and supplies like toilet paper and hand sanitizer are stocked. That’s how they’re serviced, but the question remains, how often does a portable toilet need to be pumped out? The general rule of thumb for porta potties in consistent locations (like those on construction sites and at parks) is that they should be pumped out once a week. However, there are a few factors that can influence how often a portable toilet should be serviced. High Traffic High traffic restrooms may need to be serviced more frequently, while lower traffic restrooms may be able to go longer without being pumped. Depending on how many people are using the porta potties, they may need to be pumped as much as three or four times a week to keep them in good working order. Remember, your service schedule can typically be modified as needed if the original agreement isn’t working out as planned. The risk of not getting them serviced often enough is that they can fill up. Then they’ll start to smell foul enough that people will be discouraged from using them. This can cause subsequent issues because people will need to leave to use the facilities. Or, they’ll just resort to going somewhere on the premises. The Overall Number of Units In areas where there are fewer portable toilets, those units will need to be pumped out more frequently. If you don’t want to have them serviced as frequently, you can rent additional units to spread out usage. Remember, you should have one portable toilet for every 10 full-time construction employees (assuming each worker is on the job 40 hours per week). Or, you should have two portable toilets for every 50 guests at a 6 to 10-hour event. Having fewer than this can require that the units be emptied more frequently. High Temperatures Keep in mind that the weather can also affect how often portable toilets need to be pumped out. The hotter the temperatures are, the more likely waste is to start smelling. This will require that you get the units pumped out more frequently. Porta potties being used in colder climates or during winter months should not need to be emptied quite as often. Here the weather works in their favor. So, how often does a portable toilet need to be pumped out? The answer is, it depends on whos’ using them, how many you have, and what the conditions look like. If you have any questions, consult with Topindus Group. For advice on how often your units should be cleaned out. Are you renting other sanitary add-ons like portable sinks or hand sanitizer stations? If so, you’ll want to determine a schedule that fits to have those restocked as well.

To empty the waste in the portable toilet, sanitation technicians use a vacuum-like hose into the hole of the toilet. The other end is attached to a hose pump and the waste goes into the truck there. The truck will take the waste to a water treatment plant to be treated from there. After the waste is removed, the technicians ‘charge’ the toilet, which means they put several gallons of blue liquid into the toilet. This is a disinfectant and odor neutralizer, and it can also measure the usage of the porta potty, so workers know when to service it again. The portable toilet is then scrubbed because there could be footprints, mud, trash, and other items in and around the unit. The unit is scrubbed down including any windows, the toilet set, the walls, the floor, and everything in between. The disinfectant spray is used after to ensure that everything is as clean and sanitary as possible. Once things are empty and clean, the portable toilet is re-stocked. Supplies can go quickly and the paper towels, soap, hand sanitizer, and other items need to be refreshed at that time. This servicing process is an important part of keeping the portable toilets in nice working order. When you rent what you need for your event, talk to the professionals about how often the servicing process needs to take place. You will want to ensure that you get service more often if you are going to have a lot of people using the toilet. If there are only a few, servicing can be spaced out more. It’s important to get on the same page with the rental company about the services you need and when you need them. Toppla is the professional portable toilet manufacturer in China. If you need to stock the toilet for your rental company or resale the toilets in your local, pls don't hesitate to contact us.

When it comes to sanitation facilities, one of the most versatile and efficient solutions is the HDPE Portable Toilet. HDPE, which stands for high-density polyethylene, is a strong and lightweight material that provides many benefits when used in the construction of portable toilets. Firstly, HDPE Portable Toilets are sturdy and durable, designed to withstand regular use and abuse. The material is resistant to corrosion and chemicals, ensuring that the toilet will last for many years, even in adverse conditions. Secondly, HDPE Portable Toilets are lightweight, making them easy to transport and maneuver. This is particularly important in areas where there is limited access or difficult terrain, as the lightweight material allows for easy placement and removal of the toilet. Thirdly, HDPE Portable Toilets are environmentally friendly. The material is recyclable and can be easily disassembled, reducing the amount of waste generated during installation and disposal. In addition, the use of HDPE reduces the demand for new raw materials, further reducing the environmental impact of the construction process. HDPE Portable Toilets are also cost-effective. The initial cost of purchasing the toilet may be higher than traditional wooden or metal toilets, but the long-term cost is significantly lower due to the durability of the material and the reduced need for regular maintenance and replacement. Finally, HDPE Portable Toilets provide a safe and hygienic solution for sanitation needs. The material is non-porous and resistant to water absorption, ensuring that the toilet remains clean and dry even during prolonged use. This not only provides a more comfortable user experience but also reduces the spread of diseases and infections. In conclusion, HDPE Portable Toilets are a versatile solution for sanitation needs, providing sturdy, durable, lightweight, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and hygienic options for meeting the challenges of sanitation in various settings. As we strive to improve global health and hygiene standards, HDPE Portable Toilets offer a valuable and effective tool in this ongoing effort.