Previous Portable Toilets Used on Construction Sites
Previous portable toilets used on construction sites have undergone an evolution from simple construction to diverse development.
Initially, portable toilets on construction sites had relatively simple structures and functions, mostly made of materials like wood. These wooden toilets had obvious drawbacks. Due to the water-absorbing and air-permeable nature of wood, they easily absorbed the odors produced by human waste, resulting in a foul smell inside the toilets and poor sanitary conditions, providing an unpleasant experience for users.
As time passed and technology advanced, the materials used for portable toilets on construction sites changed. They gradually started to use materials such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) and polyethylene. FRP has the advantages of being lightweight yet hard, non-conductive, and corrosion-resistant. Polyethylene has excellent low-temperature resistance and chemical stability. The use of these materials greatly enhanced the durability and corrosion resistance of portable toilets, reduced odor absorption, and improved the sanitary environment of the toilets.
During the third public toilet revolution, from the 1990s to the end of the 20th century, portable toilets on construction sites entered an important stage of development, with various classification methods emerging. According to the structural form, they can be divided into single-structure portable toilets and composite-structure portable toilets. Single-structure portable toilets are relatively independent and have a simple structure, suitable for construction sites with limited space or a small demand for the number of toilets. Composite-structure portable toilets are composed of multiple parts and have more complete functions, meeting the usage needs of large-scale construction sites.
According to the mobility method, they can be divided into lifting and handling portable toilets and powered and towed portable toilets. Lifting and handling portable toilets require external equipment for movement and are suitable for construction sites with a low frequency of movement. Powered and towed portable toilets have their own power or can be towed by vehicles, offering higher flexibility and allowing for timely adjustment of their positions according to changes in the construction progress of the site.
According to the sewage treatment method, they can be divided into water-flushing and non-water-flushing suction portable toilets, circulating water-flushing portable toilets, and dry-packing portable toilets. Water-flushing and non-water-flushing suction portable toilets can promptly clean up waste, keeping the toilets clean. Circulating water-flushing portable toilets can achieve the recycling of water resources, saving water. Dry-packing portable toilets do not require water and pack up the waste, suitable for water-scarce areas or construction sites with high environmental protection requirements.
