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How many porta potties for a crew of 30 on a job site, and does a urinal count?

Priya N.asked 56 viewsHow Many UnitsHow manyConstruction siteOshaOsha 1926 51Standard unit

I'm a site super for a small commercial build, and I'm placing our first porta potty order for a crew of 30. We'll be on site ten hours a day, five days a week, for about three months. The ground is level gravel, and my service truck can get right to the spot. I've read the OSHA 1926.51 standard for construction sites: for 20 to 199 workers, it requires one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers. That math gives me one toilet and one urinal. My question is about a specific unit the rental company showed me. It's a standard portable toilet with a built-in urinal inside the same stall. Does that single unit count as both the required toilet seat and the required urinal for my crew of 30, or do I need to rent two separate units?

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Tyler R.Columbus, OH

A standard portable toilet with a molded urinal inside the same stall counts as both the toilet seat and the urinal under OSHA 1926.51 for a crew of 30.

Table D-1 for 20 to 199 workers requires one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers. At 30 people that math is one of each. The standard tracks fixtures, not separate cabinets. Most construction rental shells put a seat and a wall urinal in one unit, and that combo is what supers order for crews this size.

You still need enough capacity for ten-hour days over three months. One combo unit meets the minimum fixture count. If lunch and mid-shift breaks stack up, a second unit is a practical add even when the table says one is enough. Keep it on the gravel where the service truck can reach the door, and set service to match how hard the crew is using it.

More on the fixture language: OSHA 1926.51 and portable toilet.

  • Jules T. Correct on the fixture count. The [standard portable toilet](https://portapotty.forum/glossary/standard-unit/) with an integrated urinal is the common solution. Just ensure the crew knows it's a single-occupancy stall to prevent bottlenecks.
1
Nina R.Nashville, TN

Tyler is right on the OSHA fixture count, but for a crew of 30 working ten-hour days over three months, one combo unit will need frequent service. Weekly service is standard, but with 30 people using one unit all day, you should schedule service twice a week to prevent overfilling and maintain hygiene. The rental company will base the service frequency on your crew size and hours, so confirm that when you order. Also, ensure the unit is placed on level gravel with clear access for the vacuum truck every service day to avoid missed visits.

  • Marcus B. Agree on the service frequency. Also, check your city's right-of-way permit rules if the unit sits on the sidewalk. A blocked unit means a missed service and a bill.

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