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How to calculate the number of portable toilets you need for a public event

23 October 2024

Our latest guide will help you to calculate the right number of portable toilets to hire for your next public event.

Planning a successful public event requires attention to lots of details, and one key area that is easy to overlook is making sure you have enough toilets for expected visitor numbers. Failure to have enough toilets will leave guests uncomfortable which could lead to negative feedback for event organisers. Luxury toilet hire is a practical solution, but how many units do you need to accommodate the crowd?

Key Factors to Consider

Number of attendees - the size of your event’s crowd is the most significant factor in determining how many portable toilets you will need. More people means more toilet usage, so an accurate headcount or a reasonable estimate of the expected number of attendees is essential. Generally, for events with fewer than 500 people, the ratio is around one portable toilet per 50 people. However, larger events often require more facilities to reduce wait times, queueing and congestion.

Event duration - the length of the event also plays a major role. A two-hour event will require fewer toilets than an all-day event with the same number of attendees. The longer people stay, the more frequently they will need to use toilet facilities. For events that last more than four hours, it’s typically recommended to increase the number of portable toilets by 20-30%.

Alcohol and food consumption - where alcohol is being served, you’ll need more toilets. Alcohol increases the frequency of bathroom visits, so the number of portable toilets should be increased by 20% to 30% if your event includes a bar. Similarly, events featuring a variety of food vendors can also drive more toilet usage.

Gender considerations - women generally take longer in the toilet than men, so if your event is expected to attract more women or is family-focused, you may need to provide a higher ratio of toilets.

Disabled toilets - don’t forget to include accessible portable toilets for attendees with disabilities, to ensure your event complies with all relevant HSE guidelines.

Peak usage versus steady usage - if your event has clear peak times for toilet usage (for example scheduled breaks), you will need more toilet units. An event with steady, evenly distributed toilet usage, like a festival or race meeting, may get away with fewer toilets. Understanding the flow of your event schedule can help you allocate the right number of toilets for high-demand periods.

How to ensure a successful event

Once you have an estimate for the number of event toilets to hire, the next step is to consider where you will position them throughout the event venue. Consider high-traffic areas such as near stages, food stalls, or seating areas, as having well-placed and easily accessible facilities reduces crowding and ensures a smoother experience for all attendees.

Also, ensure regular maintenance throughout the event, especially for longer durations. A multi-day event may require on-site service to clean and restock restrooms to maintain hygiene standards.

Event toilet hire from Fortis Hire

Providing enough portable toilets at a public event is crucial to keeping guests comfortable and happy. At Fortis Hire, we have over 20 years’ experience in the supply of event toilets and our experienced staff are on hand to help with every aspect of your event requirements. Our extensive range of luxury toilets for hire has units for every kind of event and we also supply economy units for budget conscious organisers. Luxury urinal hire enables cubicled units to be freed up for female users, while our luxury disabled toilet will ensure organisers’ compliance. For events spanning several fays, we can arrange for discreet emptying and servicing of all units onsite and we will replenish stocks of consumables as required. For more information, simply send us an email to sales@fortishire.co.uk or give the team a call on 01526 643850.

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