Sanitation is required at any place where humans reside, and the places where it is most required are usually the toughest to construct on – remote mining areas, construction sites, simple plastic toilets do not survive long if subjected to strong sunlight, wind, or heavy usage.
The third way out is container toilets. These are pre-fabricated toilet facilities that are installed in steel frames and delivered ready to use. They can be easily moved when the project moves, and can be configured for anything from a basic worker facility to a premium event restroom.
This guide explains the main types, what they are made of, how to work out how many units a site needs, and how one of ZN House's container toilet projects performed in the Atacama Desert. For the full product range, see the ZN House container toilet solutions page.
Container toilets are pre-fabricated units designed on a steel structure in standard shipping container sizes. At ZN House we have the standard container toilet sizes of 10ft and 20ft, in addition to custom made units suitable for various user capacity needs. The 20ft container is made for bigger venues and occasions, while the smaller 10ft container is meant for smaller venues. Due to the standard shipping container sizes, the units can be transported using regular equipment.
The key advantage is that most of the work happens in the factory. The engineers of ZN House state that the container toilets are about 80% factory-built, so on-site installation is mainly placement, utility connection and commissioning, which can take hours rather than weeks.
Shipping Container Toilets
Thes types of container toilets are the most robust option. They follow the proportions of a standard container, can be stacked or arranged in clusters, and can combine toilets, showers and washing areas in one unit.
Portable Toilets
These are compact, pre-fabricated units for short-term needs, particularly in remote locations where restrooms are needed temporarily. Since they are finished in the factory, there is no on-site fit-out cost.
Prefab Modular Bathrooms
They are able to be used independently from one another or combined with other modular buildings. Such buildings are usually furnished with a washroom and a bathtub or a shower. Their modular design allows various combinations, and thus they provide flexible solutions.
The specification determines how long a unit lasts in real conditions. The standard ZN House container toilet is built around these elements:
In terms of interior options, you can choose among ceramic squat or sit-type toilets, ceramic or stainless-steel sinks, LED ceiling lights in the standard version while, in the premium range, choices include wall-hung models, marble-style tops, and motion-sensor lights.
High density of workforce and narrow schedules requires robust facilities that occupy small space. Modular options can be installed with the increase in personnel. Based on ZN House’s operational data and client feedback, modular sanitation units can reduce overall sanitation expenses by approximately 50% compared to traditional plumbing installations. Please note that actual savings may vary depending on specific site conditions and project requirements.
Festivals and Events
High-end units may comprise mirror-image vanity spots, no-touch fittings, temperature-regulating machines, and sunny illumination arrangements and can be designed to suit event branding or park design.
Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Missions
These designs minimize the transport capacity to deploy faster, and self-sufficient options like solar energy and rainwater harvesting are useful in places where utilities are not available. For related accommodation, ZN House also offers container camp solutions.
Mines and Remote Operations
Hot, windy or isolated sites favor durable, relocatable units that can move as the operation grows. The Chile project below is an example.
Marine and Offshore Sites
ZN House is the type of house that has the following properties: 3 mm thick galvanized construction; dual-fluorocarbon layer, which is tested for 5,000 hours in neutral salt spray; 316L stainless steel fittings; 0.8 liters per flush vacuum toilet system; and explosion-proof electrical equipment, certified by IECEx for Zone 2 areas. This is a specific type of housing, and it is recommended to confirm its use from project to project.
Buying the right number of units matters as much as buying good ones. Too few leads to queues, complaints and unsanitary conditions. Regulations differ by country and by the type of workplace, but U.S. rules offer a useful benchmark. OSHA's general sanitation standard, 29 CFR 1910.141, sets minimum water closets by workforce size: one for up to 15 employees, two for 16 to 35, three for 36 to 55, four for 56 to 80, five for 81 to 110 and six for 111 to 150. For workforces more than 150, one more toilet is provided per 40 workers added.
If we apply that table to a group of about 200 workers, the figure we get is seven or eight toilets, depending on how the last addition is counted. That table is for general industry; there are different provisions for construction sites and mining camps.
The next question is fixtures per unit, not units. A 20ft container with several stalls provides several fixtures, so the stall count in the specification, not just the number of containers, should be compared against the requirement. Handwashing stations and urinals should be planned in addition to the toilets.
Sanitation also needs to be treated as a system. The World Health Organization's Guidelines on Sanitation and Health cover how sanitation should be planned and managed to protect health, which includes what happens to waste after it leaves the unit.
A project published by ZN House shows how the design choices above work in practice. In the year 2024, there was an extensive mining project taking place in Atacama Desert in Chile, which had over 200 people living at a remote campsite. The current plastic toilet facilities were aging as a result of UV rays and wind damage. The project area was 500 miles away from the nearest city, with days temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Centigrade.
The Solution
ZN House supplied a dozen 20-foot container toilet units with heavy-duty rock wool insulation, industrial exhaust fans and a reinforced galvanized steel frame.
The Results
From the report of the project, it was stated that the installation took place within three days. The interior temperature was found to be around 15 degrees lower as compared to the exterior temperature without the use of an air conditioner, while the hygiene satisfaction level increased by 60 percent. According to the operations manager quoted in the report, the units acted like normal bathrooms and remained cool even in hot weather.
What This Shows
This project demonstrates three lessons of planning. The first is that insulation and ventilation are as important as fixtures in warm climates, as a unit that is too hot to use is not offering any sanitation at all. Second, a metal structure withstands both the effects of wind and UV light better than plastic cabins, which are less durable. The final lesson of planning is that the installation went quickly due to pre-fabrication in the factory.
While applying this example to another case, there are two things to remember about the example. The numbers of customer satisfaction and temperature were provided by the client in his report. This project does not specify the number of stalls per unit, therefore, we cannot check 12 units using a fixture table. Nonetheless, this example shows how a durable and movable structure can resolve a problem that cannot be solved by constantly replacing cheaper units.
Installation is usually simple. The unit will require flat or concrete floor space. The factory will then provide the wiring and plumbing of the system inside. On-site installation will then be done by lifting and positioning the unit and providing water, electricity, and waste connections to the unit. ZN House states that developers must consult with the suppliers during the design process on account of the unit’s weight and positioning.
With regards to waste management, the systems may connect to the municipal sewer system or a septic tank; independent tanks, powered ventilation and rainwater harvesting are possible with off-grid set ups. Permits will differ depending on the location. Due to the fact that the portable toilet units are considered to be a temporary or moveable structure, it is usually faster than traditional building.
The waterproof floor and wall surface makes it possible to use regular cleaning substances and high-pressure water sprays, while the non-slip floor ensures that the routine cleaning is safe. The routine maintenance includes testing exhaust systems, ensuring that the drainage system is not blocked, inspecting the seals and fittings, and repairing the damaged coating in humid areas.
Before ordering, it is worth confirming the following with the supplier:
What sizes are available?
Standards such as 10ft and 20ft and custom sizes are available. The 20ft model is ideal for larger locations or events, whereas the 10ft model is best for smaller projects.
Can a container toilet connect to a septic tank?
Yes. It can be attached to a local sewer pipe as well as to a septic tank, thus making it applicable in both urban and rural settings.
Is a permit required?
Rules on permits differ by location. Container bathrooms are generally considered mobile structures, which means the procedure will be less time-consuming compared to permanent buildings; however, the final decision rests with the local government authorities.
Can the design be customized?
Yes. Layouts, fixtures, finishes, accessible versions, off-grid options and, for specialized sites, marine or explosion-proof configurations can be tailored to the project.
Container toilet systems work efficiently when chosen as one part of a broader sanitation system: the right number of units, choice of the right unit as per climate conditions, and site that can facilitate construction of facilities. The Chile project illustrates how effective an insulation and ventilation design is in tough situations.
To discuss sizes, fixtures and delivery for a specific project, contact ZN House for a tailored quotation. For more detail on specifications and installation, the company's modular container toilet guide is a good next read.
Disclaimer: Please note that this article provides general information and does not constitute engineering, legal, medical or planning advice. Product features and performance data as well as case study outcomes have been compiled from published sources by ZN House and can vary by project. The number of fixtures shown and compliance requirements are meant for demonstration purposes only; they can vary by region, country and industry.
For developers, construction workers and the government, the true cost of a building is hardly concentrated just on the structure…
In some instances, sometimes a project cannot afford to wait some months before being put up. Mining camps, construction sites,…
Goods for housing and workspace are in demand for quicker than existing construction methods can build them. Remote work camps,…
Introduction There is an ever-increasing need for affordable, adaptable, and rapidly erected constructions within construction industry, infrastructure projects, and housing…
Short Answer Motel containers made of steel containers or freight containers act as accommodation in an area in which guests…
Introduction The development of contemporary housing is constantly evolving through the search for innovative construction techniques that would provide homeowners,…