It’s officially the event season, and that means lots of marathons, festivals, and weddings. If you’re not careful, these events can turn into a huge headache. Nine tips for you to make sure that they go smoothly.
- Order Enough Units
One of the most common mistakes is not ordering enough units for a portable toilet. A good rule of thumb is one toilet for every 50 people for every 4 hours. If there’s going to be food, alcohol, or the event is running longer than 4 hours, order more.
Too few units are going to mean long lines and overflowing toilets, and they’re going to run out of supplies. Rather have one or two extra than an emergency pump out on the weekend.
- Don’t Forget Hand-Wash Stations
Hand hygiene is something that’s often overlooked when planning an event. For a smaller event like a house party, a unit with a sink on the inside will do just fine. You can also put a hand sanitizer dispenser in every single one of the toilets, but just keep in mind, this doesn’t replace having soap and water.
Portable Toilet Rental in North Jersey
For large events that serve food, a dual-sided handwash station with soap and paper towels is ideal. The users aren’t going to have to go into the bathroom in order to use a sink.
The Right Ratio
A ratio of five toilets per handwash station seems to be the magic number. They’re also going to come fully stocked.
- Include Handicap Units
Accessibility for guests isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a responsibility. Whether a guest uses a wheelchair, has mobility issues, or just needs extra space, ADA toilets are a perfect solution for that.
The ADA recommends that at least 5% of restrooms at a public event be ADA-compliant. So, if your event has at least 20 units, you’re going to want to provide at least one handicap toilet.
Placement
Usually, you want to have a handicap toilet with each bank of toilets. So then, no matter where somebody is going to the restroom, they have a handicap option.
- Provide a Site Map for Placement
Getting units placed in the right spot the first time around is key. If you have to move portable toilets around, you’re going to lose time and money. Provide a site map and also available delivery hours. If no map is available, leave out cones or even spray paint the ground to show exactly where the toilets are supposed to go.
Schedule the delivery early, before all the other vendors come and start delivering. Later in the day, the access point might be blocked. Once the site gets too crowded, it becomes difficult to access.
- Stay in Contact on Delivery Day
Unlike construction jobs, events require you to always be in contact with the company. Changes on the day of the delivery could either be in the number of units or in the placement.
Checks at Delivery
Double-check all the toilets to make sure they have paper, deodorizer, and water in the tank. It’s easy to pass over one by accident. Ask for a picture of everything delivered.
- Prevent Unwanted Use
When delivering for events, lots of times they’re in public places where potentially people could use it before the event starts. In order to avoid this, ask for either combination locks or zip ties on the toilets in order to keep people out of them. You need to cut the zip ties off.
- Expect Payment Before Delivery
Expect a 50% deposit upfront in order to reserve the units, with the remaining balance due 7 days before the delivery.
- Book Extra Servicing for Multi-Day Events
If the event is a multi-day event, make sure that you ask for cleaning at the beginning of each event day before the guests arrive. You don’t want the event to start with the toilets already being dirty. Most of the time, these event services are going to be on the weekend.
What Weekend Services Cost
Most of the time, the guys are going to be on overtime. Expect an extra service cost per toilet. Then, a trip fee to cover the driver’s extra labor. Maybe like $150 or $200.
- Pickup After the Event
Now that the event is over, the toilets are ready for pickup. The units can get used really hard, and lots of times they’re pretty full. Pumping them empty avoids spills during transport, and when they’re full, they’re going to be way too heavy to get onto the trailer.
Hand Wash Stations at Pickup
These things are almost impossible to move when they’re full. It’s probably still 3/4 full of water.
FAQs
How many portable toilets does an event need?
A good rule of thumb is one toilet for every 50 people for every 4 hours that the event is going on.
How many handwash stations should an event have?
A ratio of five toilets per handwash station. That seems to be the magic number.
How many ADA units does a public event need?
The ADA recommends that at least 5% of restrooms at a public event be ADA-compliant. So, if your event has at least 20 units, you’re going to want to provide at least one handicap toilet.
When is payment due for an event rental?
A 50% deposit upfront in order to reserve the units, with the remaining balance due 7 days before the delivery.
Why are units pumped empty before pickup?
By pumping them empty, avoid spills during transport. And when they’re full, they’re going to be way too heavy to get onto the trailer.
Conclusion
If you’re not careful, events can turn into a huge headache. A good rule of thumb is one toilet for every 50 people for every 4 hours, and rather have one or two extra than an emergency pump out on the weekend.
