Porta potty for a hunting camp: will the vent stack attract bears?
We have a hunting camp in Montana for two months, with six hunters staying the whole time and guests on weekends. The ground is uneven mountain…
2answers
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Sam O. replied
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Glossary
Standard portable toilet
A standard portable toilet is a single-occupant plastic unit with a non-flushing holding tank under the seat, a urinal in many models, a toilet paper holder, a vent stack and a lockable door. It is the base unit for construction sites, festivals and home renovations.
Vent stack
The vent stack is the pipe that runs from the holding tank up through the roof of a portable toilet so tank gases escape above head height instead of into the cabin. A blocked or broken vent is one cause of a unit that smells more than its neighbors.
14 results for “Vent stack”
What's the one thing you always check on a service visit?
Hey all, Deb here. I've been driving a vacuum truck for nine years, servicing 40 to 60 units a day on construction sites, at fairs, and on farms.…
3answers
53views
Sam O. replied
How do operators decide when to retire an old porta potty from the fleet?
An operator retires a portable toilet when its repair costs average more than its monthly rental rate, when parts become unavailable, or when the…
2answers
37views
Kim S. replied
Why does our porta potty smell worse after a hot day?
We've got a standard portable toilet on our Phoenix job site. It sits in the sun all day and by 2 PM it smells terrible. The crew of 40 guys won't…
2answers
29views
Ray M. replied
Hunting camp porta potty: will animals chew on the plastic or vents?
Setting up a hunting camp for the fall season and need a portable toilet for about six guys over a month. We're in bear country, and I've seen…
2answers
30views
Sam O. replied
Why does our porta potty smell fine after service but foul by the next afternoon?
We have a crew of 35 on a commercial site in Phoenix, and we're running into a smell issue with our standard portable toilets. The rental company…
2answers
34views
Carl D. replied
Winter 2026: Will our porta potty vents freeze shut in sub-zero temps?
We're setting up a 9-month job in northern Minnesota, 80-person crew. The site is frozen dirt, but the truck access is clear for our weekly service.…
2answers
35views
Deb K. replied
What is the blue liquid in a porta potty and is it toxic? ✓ Solved
The blue liquid in a portable toilet is a deodorizer, and the formulas used in public spaces today are not toxic. It is a mixture of a blue dye,…
2answers
55views
Ray M. replied
Why does our porta potty smell like rotten eggs after rain?
We have a standard portable toilet on a residential job in Chicago, about 20 guys using it over the past three weeks. It sits on level gravel in the…
1answer
32views
Jake W. replied
ANSI Z4.3 compliance: What does it mean for a portable toilet?
ANSI Z4.3 compliance means a portable toilet meets the American National Standard for health, safety, and performance in design, construction, and…
1answer
34views
Brad L. replied
City says we need ANSI Z4.3 compliance. What does that mean?
ANSI Z4.3 compliance means the portable toilets you rent must meet the American National Standard for minimum requirements for nonsewered…
1answer
34views
Porta Potty Forum Team replied
What does ANSI Z4.3 certification mean for a rental unit?
ANSI Z4.3 certification means the portable toilet model meets the American National Standard for minimum requirements for nonsewered waste-disposal…
1answer
42views
Hector V. replied
What does 'ANSI Z4.3 compliant' mean on a city permit?
ANSI Z4.3 compliant means the portable toilet meets the American National Standard for minimum requirements for nonsewered waste-disposal systems.…
1answer
39views
Marcus B. replied
City permit requires 'ANSI Z4.3 compliant' porta potties. What does that mean?
ANSI Z4.3 is the American National Standard for minimum requirements for nonsewered waste-disposal systems, including portable toilets. The standard…
1answer
37views
Porta Potty Forum Team replied