Portable Sanitation Association International

2 I PSAI Association Insight, July 21, 2021 Assume a 50/50 male/female split unless otherwise advised. The following tables should be used only as a guide. Note that each row should be read cumulatively; thus for an event with 500-999 participants, FEMA is requiring a minimum of 11 toilets, 4 urinals, and 8 sinks in total. At events where the duration extends overnight or longer, provide hygienic washing facilities. Suggested minimum requirements for facilities at campgrounds, based on two to three nights' camping, are as follows: (continued on page 4) The manual is not intended to override any existing legislation or local emergency management procedures. Further, it does not seek to address the preparation of emergency response plans, but rather identifies the elements that should be considered by those responsible for planning and conducting events that attract large numbers of people. Even so, the FEMA-supplied ratios can be helpful to portable restroom operators dealing with local event planners, and serve as a point of reference in disaster planning. Following is the information published by FEMA regarding provision in the most recent (2010) version of its Special Events Contingency Planning Manual regarding provision of toilets for special events. Toilets Where existing toilet facilities are judged inadequate, you must make available additional portable units. Toilet locations should be: • Well-marked • Near hand-washing stations • Well-lit (including the surrounding area) if night use is anticipated • Serviced (including pump-out of portables) on a 24-hour schedule during the event (vehicle access is obviously necessary) • Located away from food storage and food service area • Secured to prevent tipping The following considerations will determine the number of toilets to be provided for particular events: • Duration of the event • Type of crowd • Weather conditions • Whether the event is pre-ticketed with the numbers of attendees known, or unticketed • Whether finishing times are staggered if the event has multifunctions • Whether alcohol will be consumed Calculating the number of toilets required for an event can be a particular challenge. Where local laws or regulations do not exist, FEMA says the following guidelines can be applied. Better management of events can be achieved by providing additional facilities. Males Females Patrons Toilets Urinals Sinks Toilets Sinks <500 1 2 2 6 2 <1,000 2 4 4 9 4 <2,000 4 8 6 12 6 <3,000 6 15 10 18 10 <5,000 8 25 17 30 17 TOILET FACILITIES FOR EVENTS WHERE ALCOHOL IS NOT AVAILABLE Males Females Patrons Toilets Urinals Sinks Toilets Sinks <500 3 8 2 13 2 <1,000 5 10 4 16 4 <2,000 9 15 7 18 7 <3,000 10 20 14 22 14 <5,000 12 30 20 40 20 TOILET FACILITIES FOR EVENTS WHERE ALCOHOL IS AVAILABLE More than 8 hours 100% 6–8 hours 80% 4–6 hours 75% Less than 4 hours 70% DURATION OF EVENTS QUANTITY REQUIRED These figures may be reduced for shorter-duration events as follows: SEX TOILETS URINALS SINKS SHOWER M 1 per 50 1 per 100 1 per 75 1 per 100 F 1 per 25 N/A 1 per 75 1 per 100 FEMA Guidelines Vex Portable Sanitation Providers (continued from page 1)

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