Portable toilet
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A portable toilet is a modern, portable, self-contained outhouse manufactured of molded plastic in a variety of colors and are often used as a temporary toilet for construction sites and large social gatherings. Portable toilets are referred to colloquially or sold under such brands as port-a-john, port-o-let, sani-privy, port-a-san, porta-potty, toi-toi, porta-kybo or portaloo. The word Portaloo is legally a trademark of Portakabin, Ltd., but has been genericized to refer to any make of portable toilet, at least within the UK and Ireland.
Portable toilets are large enough for a single occupant - usually about 90 cm (3 ft) on a side by 210 cm (7 ft). They are held upright by the weight of the disinfectant liquid in the holding tank at the bottom. Nearly all include both a seated toilet and a urinal. Most include lockable doors, ventilation near the top, and a stovepipe vent for the holding tank. Some newer models include toilet paper or, occasionally, antibacterial hand gel dispensers.
Though more expensive than a standard permanent outdoor latrine, portable toilets have several significant benefits mostly related to their portability. They are rented to customers by companies that guarantee their cleanliness, and so as a rule are drained, cleaned, disinfected and deodorized on a regular basis. As they are not plumbed, they do not clog or overflow. A single portable toilet can be hauled in the back of a pick-up truck.
They are frequently seen at outdoor work sites, particularly construction sites, and large banks of dozens of portable toilets allow for ready sanitation at large gatherings such a outdoor music festivals.
- In the UK, the term "Porta-Potty" is more likely to refer to a portable chemical toilet used for camping and in small boats. This device comprises only the actual toilet itself with privacy being provided by a separate tent or partition.
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