Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1402657
20 I PSAI Association Insight, July 7, 2021 Fiberglass units give way to plastic units. While mass manufacturing of fiberglass restrooms was far superior to that of homemade wooden units because the units were lighter, standardized in size, and less porous, there were still major issues to overcome. Fiberglass: • Absorbs and traps odors. • Becomes more brittle and cracks easier as the unit gets older. • Had to be manufactured in a single shell-like structure, which meant a damaged area that could not be repaired ended the life of the unit. • The top of the unit does not permit as much light as that of the translucent white roof on a plastic unit. • Maneuverability is difficult with no areas or indentations to grab for moving the unit. • Fully constructed units must be shipped as compared to plastic units being sent in pieces and constructed at the company yard. • Fiberglass plants are susceptible to fires. Three of the fiberglass manufacturers mentioned in this article experienced fires during a relatively short period, Bill Reynolds, Sr plant burned in the late 1970s, Phil Carter's Plant in 1981, and Olympic Fiberglass in 1986. • Fiberglass dust, while not classified as hazardous, is nonetheless not healthy when large amounts are inhaled. Plastic units can be used for many years, can be molded to make handling easier, damage to them can be mitigated by replacing just one part such as a wall or door, they are not as brittle as they age, and they are nonporous but do allow light in through the roofs. As the result of these advantages, plastic units soon pushed fiberglass out of the market and have remained dominant for the past several decades. FINAL THOUGHTS From today's perspective, fiberglass was indeed the bridge between the wooden units of old and the plastic units of today. Mass manufacturing of units was achieved using this material and the efficiencies far surpassed home-made units. While not universal, some operators went from wood units straight to plastic, skipping over the fiberglass era. But these fiberglass products hold an important place in the history of our industry, and their importance should not be overlooked. Think about this era of our history the next time that you are near a waterway and see a boat pass by! Fiberglass Units – The Bridge Between Wood and Plastic (continued from page 20) Personal Note and Thank You. Thank you so much to Bill Reynolds, Jr, Ned Carpenter, Larry Cashwell, and Ray Luden, Jr for your help and support. Your time and assistance allow us to record and to preserve our cherished history! REQUESTS: As this series of articles continues in our 50th anniversary year as well as while the update of "PSAI Through the Decades" is composed, I would appreciate any articles, stories, remembrances, or any other information that you could share. This will assist in the preservation and publication of the history of our industry and our PSAI. My contact information is: wjwigley@bellsouth.net and cell phone 770-206-0794. Thank you!