Installation of Mobile Toilets During the Epidemic Period
The installation of mobile toilets during the epidemic period primarily aims to meet the needs of specific areas, utilize new technologies to assist in epidemic prevention, provide rental services to address temporary demands, and relevant international standards have also been introduced.
Meeting the Needs of Specific Areas: In lockdown zones, some old residential communities lack independent sanitation facilities at home, and the construction of makeshift hospitals also requires meeting the needs of users for showers and toilets. The district environmental sanitation management department actively coordinates to ensure the emergency support and daily maintenance of mobile public toilets and other equipment. For example, in the lockdown area of Xibaoxing Road, mobile public toilets were urgently installed, and regular disinfection and training for cleaning staff were carried out. When Guangyue Market was temporarily closed, mobile public toilets were set up nearby, with market staff responsible for regular disinfection and coordination with fecal sludge removal teams for regular上门 (on-site) collection and transportation of fecal sludge. In coordination with the construction of makeshift hospitals, mobile shower rooms and toilets were installed according to the needs of frontline personnel, and installation and commissioning were completed quickly.
New Mobile Toilets Assisting in Epidemic Prevention: "Unmanned toilets" automatically clean and disinfect after the user leaves, effectively reducing the risk of cleaning staff entering the toilet for work. However, the initial investment and later maintenance costs are relatively high, and the requirements for site conditions are also high. Negative-pressure toilets apply negative-pressure design to mobile toilets, treating gases through air intakes and sterilization systems to avoid cross-infection risks. Their toilet-flushing systems use vacuum technology to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. These new types of mobile toilets supported Shanghai's provincial highways entering the city during the epidemic period.
Rental Services for Epidemic-Specific Mobile Toilets: Jingmen region has launched rental services for mobile toilets. The epidemic-specific models are equipped with independent disinfection systems, using ultraviolet germicidal lamps and automatic spray devices. Some are installed with sealed drainage pipes and have a partitioned internal space design to reduce cross-infection risks. With their mobile nature, they can quickly respond to various temporary scenarios, strictly adhere to the standards of health and epidemic prevention departments, use environmentally friendly materials for construction, and some high-end products are equipped with smart sensor doors, foot-pedal flushing, and other functions. Rental fees vary according to the duration of use and quantity.
Introduction of Relevant Standards: In 2025, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) officially released ISO24599:2025 "Guidelines for the Management of Mobile Toilets During Epidemics", providing authoritative and unified guidance for governments, public health institutions, event organizers, and environmental sanitation service enterprises around the world.
