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High-rise unit servicing: what if the building's freight elevator is too small for the vacuum tank?

Marcus B.asked 1 viewConstruction & Job SitesHigh rise unitVacuum truckService visitService frequencyConstruction site

We have a standard portable toilet on the 40th floor of a high-rise construction site. It's been there for three weeks with weekly service, but the rental company just told us their vacuum truck equipment won't fit in the freight elevator. The unit serves 25 workers daily, and we're on a concrete slab with no ground-level access. What are the alternatives? Has anyone used a manual pump system, relocated the unit to a lower floor, or switched to a different type like a deluxe unit with a smaller waste tank? How do you handle servicing when the elevator can't accommodate the standard gear?

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Hector V.Phoenix, AZ

You relocate the unit to a lower floor with elevator access or switch to a manual pump-out system. The freight elevator size is a common issue on high-rise jobs.

Relocate the standard portable toilet to a floor the vacuum truck can reach. OSHA 1926.51 requires one toilet per 20 workers, so your 25-worker crew meets the minimum with one unit. Pick a floor near the service truck's parking spot.

Manual pump systems exist. They use a smaller portable pump and tank that fit in the elevator. The operator pumps the waste into the tank, hauls it down, and transfers it to the truck. It takes more labor, so expect a higher service cost.

A deluxe unit has a similar holding tank size, so it won't solve the elevator problem. Restroom trailers need ground-level placement. Stuck with the high floor? Manual pumping is your only option. Talk to your rental company about their high-rise service methods.

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