Portable Sanitation Association International

12 I PSAI Association Insight, August 4, 2021 Tips on Tip Overs Can You Prevent Blow Overs? Blow overs can be prevented in most situations if you plan ahead. Just because the wind isn't blowing when you place the units doesn't mean it won't blow at some point during the life of the contract. When and how to prevent the wind from blow- ing the units is approached differently by industry members. For example: • Some companies make securing the units the responsibility of the customer. They explain this responsibility at the time of placement, cover it in the rental agreement, and charge for damage that occurs if units tip over. Going this route is also helpful if the units are in an area where vandalism is likely. The downside is that your equipment, with your name on it, is in the hands of people who may not be as invested in treating it well as you are. • Other companies negotiate the cost, both in time and materials, of staking or tying down units when they negotiate the contract. This comes up most often when customers such as big box stores and government entities have requirements that the units be staked when they are placed. But it is not exclusive to these scenarios. Portable sanitation company leaders have their reasons for using this approach in a wide variety of circumstances. One owner summed up his philosophy by saying, "I don't want my customers touching my [units]s other than to do their business in them." Bottom line: when it comes to securing restrooms in high wind conditions, you can choose to offer the service of securing your restrooms or leave it up to the customer. Generally there are fewer tip overs, less damage to equipment, and an enhanced restroom experience if you secure the restrooms yourself. How Can You Secure Your Units? Everyone seems to have their own favorite way of securing units from wind. The most popular are: • Staking the units in opposite corners using 2-foot lengths of rebar. This is probably the most common way of securing units. Concrete stakes are also available at building or hardware stores. Some operators feel these stakes enhance the look of the staked unit and make the company seem more professional. • Staking with tie down. Tying off with a strap or a rope over the top of the unit and staking it down with rebar or engineer stakes is another common method of securing units against wind. If there is fencing or another stationary object nearby, consider tying off the unit to the fence or object as an option. If you have been in the portable sanitation business for more than a week, you have probably dealt with a unit that has been tipped or blown over. This is no one's favorite thing. Yet it is a reality of our industry, so let's take a look at some of the considerations in dealing with the situation. (continued on page 13)

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