When you’re working on a major highway improvement project, space can quickly become a scarce commodity. On one recent project, a motorway contractor found themselves facing just that dilemma: they needed not only enough room for heavy-duty equipment and workers to operate but also for a site accommodation cabin and high-volume effluent tank… all within the narrow confines of a single, cordoned-off carriageway.
As we will see, the location would prove to be unsuitable for conventional waste management using an under-mounted effluent tank, but the versatility of CABINPUMP once again saved the day.
The Challenge of Working in Narrow Spaces
The space allocated to motorway site accommodation is typically narrow; lane closures must be minimised to keep traffic flowing as freely as possible, so if there is nowhere else to go, the toilet facilities will need to be contained within the width of one motorway lane.
As traditional site toilet cabins feature an under-mounted effluent storage tank, the cabin needs to be raised high enough for the tank to fit underneath it. Naturally, this raises the height of the cabin door threshold, and a flight of steps is required to access the cabin from ground level.
However, these steps substantially increase the overall width of the cabin. If this method were to be used, either the workers or the back wall of the cabin would be dangerously close to the perimeter of the nearest open lane. Closing a second lane would be very unpopular with motorists, but not providing toilet facilities for workers would be even less popular!
Why CABINPUMP Was the Perfect Fit
This is where the versatility of CABINPUMP came to the rescue. Instead of fitting the waste tank directly under the cabin, CABINPUMP situates it neatly beside it, freeing up vertical space. Because the cabin can now sit directly on the asphalt, there’s no need for steps, and workers can walk straight in without navigating platforms or stairs. The result? A compact setup that fits neatly into the narrow lane without a fuss. And since it stays within the lane closure, it keeps the motorway safe and accessible for passing vehicles.
Pumping Away the Problems
If you have limited space to site your toilets, CABINPUMP has another ace up its sleeve. As it can pump effluent sludge over long distances, it can discharge either into a gravity drain or into a storage tank in a location that’s more accessible for emptying into an effluent tanker. In the case of the motorway contractors, this could keep the area surrounding the toilets free of vehicle movements, improving site safety.
CABINPUMP: The Tight Space Troubleshooter
This project is just one example of how CABINPUMP innovation simplifies construction site planning and operations. From narrow lane closures to tight construction sites, even complex challenges can be managed with a bit of ingenuity… and a CABINPUMP.