| Portable toilets are an essential | | | | are also available. These type of |
| feature of an event. This article is | | | | specialist units are an optional |
| designed to assist the event organiser | | | | requirement and - when considering |
| in choosing the most appropriate type of | | | | hiring such a portable toilet - it |
| portable toilet and contains basic | | | | should be borne in mind that this will |
| information and tips to facilitate the | | | | take over a cubicle although baby |
| decision making process. | | | | changing facilities can be incorporated |
| There are a large number of suppliers of | | | | in a disabled portable toilet unit. |
| portable toilets to the event industry. | | | | It is compulsory for disabled toilets to |
| Companies vary in size with suppliers | | | | be provided at public (ticketed) events |
| being either local, regional or | | | | although this is not a legal requirement |
| nationwide. The larger nationwide | | | | at private events. |
| suppliers include - in no necessary | | | | A general price indication for the hire |
| order of importance - Elliot Loohire, | | | | of portable toilets for events would be |
| Search, Igloos, Andy Loos, The | | | | from around £200 for the supply of both |
| Convenience Company, John Anderson and | | | | a ladies and a gentlemen tardis portable |
| A1 Loo Hire. | | | | toilet with prices for the hire of |
| There are two main different types of | | | | trailer mounted portable loos ranging |
| portable toilets for events. | | | | from £500 to £1,000 depending on the |
| 1. Tardis Portable Toilets | | | | specification of the unit and whether it |
| The most basic type of portable toilet | | | | has been provided by a local hire |
| for an event is the single | | | | company or a larger regional/nationwide |
| re-circulating chemical unit, known in | | | | supplier, in which case transportation |
| the industry as The Tardis on account of | | | | charges will need to be taken into |
| its uncanny resemblance to Doctor Who's | | | | account. |
| time-machine of the same name. | | | | Whilst the focus of this article has |
| A tardis unit is essentially a 'budget | | | | been the supply of portable toilets for |
| box' which is ideal for smaller outside | | | | outside events it should be noted that |
| events such as local fetes, barbeques, | | | | portable toilet hire companies are |
| point-to-point meetings or any small | | | | equally adept at supplying loos for |
| local or budget event. They are also | | | | indoor events, often on a bespoke basis. |
| widely used atfestivals. | | | | A good portable toilet supplier can |
| 2. Trailer Mounted Portable Toilets | | | | build rooms in an exhibition or |
| The other type of toilet for an event is | | | | conference centre - or at any other type |
| the trailer mounted portable toilet. | | | | of indoor venue - containing up to 20 |
| This type of portable toilet is much | | | | cubicles per room with each room being |
| larger and contains a combination of | | | | able to accomodate up to one thousand |
| cubicles and urinals. | | | | people. Indeed, portable toilets are |
| Cubicles can be equipped with | | | | often to be found at conference venues |
| handbasins. The industry size range for | | | | where they are especially appreciated by |
| the trailers is between ten to twenty | | | | delegates where break-out times can |
| five feet in length with units being | | | | necessitate many people requiring their |
| supplied in as many configurations of | | | | facilities at the same time. |
| cubicles, cubicals with handbasins and | | | | The top ten tips and things to consider |
| urinals as imaginable. | | | | when booking portable toilets for an |
| Generally speaking, trailer mounted | | | | event are as follows: |
| portable toilets start in size with 1+1 | | | | 1. Decide how many guests will be |
| units, i.e. one cubicle with handbasin | | | | attending the event to determine the |
| for ladies and one for gentlemen. Larger | | | | number of units that will be required. |
| trailer mounted units can accomodate | | | | 2. Remember that the caterers and |
| configurations such as three cubicles | | | | ancillary event staff will need to use |
| and ten urinals or three cubicles for | | | | the loos as well so add these to the |
| ladies with three cubicles and two | | | | guest list when calculating your loo |
| urinals for gentlemen. | | | | requirements. Alternatively, ask the |
| It is also possible for this type of | | | | portable toilet hire company to supply a |
| portable toilet unit to incorporate | | | | trailer mounted unit outside for the |
| disabled toilet facilities. The | | | | caterers. For larger parties where |
| configurations really are endless. | | | | there are more staff it is important to |
| There is, as one might expect, a large | | | | supply them with their own loos. |
| range in the quality of trailer mounted | | | | 3. Ensure that the venue location is a |
| units. The most basic units are to be | | | | level site. This is an essential |
| found at festivals and less grand events | | | | requirement for obvious reasons that it |
| whilst the more top-end units are | | | | would be both indelicate and unnecessary |
| supplied to corporate events and | | | | to mention! |
| promotions, weddings and up-market | | | | 4. Check if the location of the venue |
| gatherings - indeed VIP units are often | | | | has a power supply. It should be noted |
| to be seen behind the scenes at | | | | that a power supply is not necessary for |
| important events and are an important | | | | the hire of tardis units. |
| feature in any kind of outdoor corporate | | | | 5. Check if the venue's location has a |
| hospitality. | | | | fresh water supply. It is always good if |
| Trailer mounted portable loos can be | | | | a fresh water supply is available as |
| either re-circulating or connected to | | | | this can be used to top-up both tardis |
| the mains. | | | | and trailer-mounted units, if necessary. |
| A general rule of thumb is to allow one | | | | 6. Decide if disabled and/or baby |
| portable loo per hundred guests at an | | | | changing units are necessary. |
| event although one per fifty guests is | | | | 7. Decide if an attendant is required |
| probably a more comfortably generous | | | | to clean and maintain the loos. |
| guideline. | | | | 8. Determine whether an interim service |
| Portable toilet units should always be | | | | will be required. For more than one |
| delivered to an event in a scrupulously | | | | event at the same venue, e.g. where a |
| clean condition with the supplier | | | | wedding is taking place on the Saturday |
| operating to stringent health and safety | | | | with a further reception on the Sunday, |
| and British Standard regulations. | | | | it may well be necessary to empty and |
| Trailer mounted units can be supplied | | | | replenish the units for the next day. |
| with hot handwash basins which can be | | | | 9. Decide which type of loos are |
| non-mains connected as they come with | | | | required. As explained above, different |
| fresh water supplied which is then | | | | portable toilets are more appropriate |
| heated either from the on-site power | | | | for different events and demographics. |
| supply or by generators. | | | | 10. Is the event inside or outside. The |
| Depending on the level of luxury | | | | location of the event, i.e. whether the |
| required, it is even possible to hire | | | | event is to be held at an outside |
| portable units containing cubicles with | | | | location or an inside venue, will |
| infra red taps - to say nothing of the | | | | require different decisions to be made |
| DVD facilities offered by other types of | | | | in choosing the most appropriate type of |
| units! | | | | portable toilets required. |
| Cubicles with baby-changing facilities | | | | |