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