WHEN DO UNIVERSITIES NEED TEMPORARY SHOWERS AND WELFARE FACILITIES?

When you lose access to showers, toilets or dining areas, even for a short period, the effects can spread quickly across student accommodation and the wider campus. A refurbishment may overrun, a burst pipe may close a washroom block or a sudden increase in residential capacity may place existing facilities under too much pressure.

Universities and accommodation providers must continue to meet relevant housing, building, fire safety and equality requirements while permanent facilities are unavailable. Where the loss of showers, toilets or other welfare facilities leaves accommodation below an acceptable standard, temporary provision may be needed to keep the site safe, suitable and operational.

Temporary shower, toilet and dining units can help you keep essential services running while repairs, refurbishment or other works continue. In this guide, our temporary accommodation specialists explain when additional welfare provision may be needed, what each type of unit offers and how we can supply, deliver and position the right facilities on a prepared site.

WHEN PERMANENT FACILITIES ARE BEING REFURBISHED

Universities often schedule major estate work outside the busiest parts of the academic year, but showers, toilets and communal facilities may still need to remain in use while refurbishment takes place.

You may be replacing old bathrooms, upgrading drainage, repairing water damage or modernising an entire accommodation block. Even where the work is carefully phased, there may be periods when residents, visiting students or contractors cannot use the usual facilities.

These units allow you to keep suitable washing facilities available without reopening areas that are still under construction. Our portable units can sit close to the affected building and remain in place for the required hire period.

Where you also need toilets, this combines both facilities in one compact unit. Each side includes a mains-fed shower, flushing toilet, basin and changing space, making it a straightforward replacement while permanent bathrooms are being built or refurbished.

WHEN AN EMERGENCY CLOSURE TAKES FACILITIES OUT OF USE

Some closures come with little warning. A burst pipe, flood, electrical fault, drainage problem or structural concern can take a bathroom block out of service without notice. If the affected building houses students, you may need to restore access to hygiene facilities before repairs are complete.

Portable shower and toilet units can provide that temporary cover. They give you a controlled facility on site rather than asking students to travel to another building, rely on public showers or share already busy facilities elsewhere on campus. Where you have urgent needs, we can move quickly to supply units and help you keep essential services running.

WHEN TEMPORARY STUDENT ACCOMMODATION EXPANDS

Additional bedrooms often create additional demand for the rest of the estate.

If you install temporary student accommodation because of delayed halls, higher enrolment or a short residential programme, the new capacity may exceed what nearby bathrooms, toilets and dining spaces can comfortably support.

In that situation, adding welfare units alongside the accommodation will create a complete residential setup. You may only need additional showers, or you may need a wider mix of hygiene and dining facilities depending on the site.

They can be supplied alongside shower blocks, toilet units and diners. This means you can source the sleeping and welfare units from one provider and keep the site consistent in appearance and operation.

WHEN EXISTING SHOWERS ARE UNDER TOO MUCH PRESSURE

You do not need to lose a facility completely before temporary support becomes worthwhile.

During summer schools, residential courses, conferences or periods of unusually high occupancy, existing showers may still operate but struggle to meet demand. Long queues and overcrowded washrooms can affect privacy, convenience and the overall residential experience.

Our cabins give you two separate, secure and lockable shower cubicles in one unit. Each cubicle includes a changing area, and the design suits locations with high foot traffic.

Adding one or more units can spread demand across the site and reduce pressure on the permanent bathrooms. Because you lease these units, you don't need to overinvest in longer term solutions. We can then remove the temporary student showers when the busy period ends.

WHEN STUDENTS NEED TO MOVE TO ANOTHER PART OF CAMPUS

A refurbishment or closure may force you to move students into a building that was not designed for residential use.

The rooms may be suitable for sleeping, but the surrounding area may not have enough showers, toilets or communal spaces. This can happen when you convert conference rooms, teaching blocks or another temporary location into short-term accommodation.

Portable welfare facilities allow you to add what the building lacks without carrying out major alterations.

The can provide two private shower-and-toilet cubicles, while our wider range of can add further capacity where needed.

This gives you more flexibility when deciding where students can stay during temporary disruption.

WHEN DINING AND REST SPACE IS LIMITED

Welfare provision is not only about washing and toilet facilities.

If you move students into temporary accommodation or close part of a residence, they may also lose access to shared kitchens, dining rooms or rest areas. This can make an otherwise workable housing arrangement much less practical.

Our units provide cooking, refrigeration, dining and rest space for up to eight people. It includes an oven, hob, microwave, fridge, sink, storage and two dining tables, making it a useful hub for a small residential group or an additional shared area on a larger site.

Temporary dining facilities for students can be supplied alongside sleepers, showers and toilets, so you can create the combination of units that fits the facilities already available.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHOWER AND WELFARE UNITS

The right mix depends on the problem you need to solve.

If the existing toilets remain available, you may only need portable shower units for students. If an entire bathroom block is closed, a combined shower and toilet unit may be more suitable. Where you are creating a separate temporary residence, you may also need dining space and additional toilet capacity.

You do not need to decide everything before speaking to us. Tell us how many people will use the facilities, how long you need them and what services are available on site. We can then confirm which units are available and provide the relevant specifications.

WHAT DOES THE SITE NEED?

Before delivery, you need a suitable area with firm, level ground and safe access for our specialist vehicles.

The units also need the correct connections for electricity, mains water and waste drainage. The precise requirements vary between products, so the site should be prepared around the units you order.

You should also consider lighting, privacy, security and safe pedestrian access. Temporary hygiene facilities need to feel like part of a managed campus environment rather than an afterthought.

Where units will remain on site for 28 days or more, planning permission may be required. You should check the position with the relevant local planning authority before ordering.

HOW QUICKLY CAN THE UNITS BE INSTALLED?

Once the site and services are ready, installation is straightforward.

Our units are designed to be ready for use in around 30 minutes after unloading, subject to the required services being available. For a larger setup, the full installation will take longer because more units need to be positioned and connected, but the process remains much quicker than constructing permanent facilities.

We provide nationwide delivery using our own vehicles. Our drivers unload and position the units on the prepared site, which means you do not need to arrange a separate haulage contractor.

The fastest way to get the site operational is to contact us once you know the number and type of units required, the location and the available services.

HOW LONG CAN YOU HIRE TEMPORARY WELFARE FACILITIES FOR?

You can use our units for a short disruption, a planned refurbishment or a longer programme.

The hire period can cover a few weeks, several months or a longer project where permanent facilities remain unavailable. This makes portable welfare provision suitable for emergency situations as well as planned estate work.

Once you no longer need the facilities, we will arrange to collect. The units can then be inspected and prepared for reuse elsewhere, giving you temporary capacity without committing to permanent extra buildings.

WHY SUPPLY ALL THE UNITS THROUGH BUNKABIN?

Using one supplier for showers, toilets, dining areas and temporary accommodation keeps the process simpler.

We manufacture our units in Britain, operate the UK’s largest hire fleet and provide nationwide delivery. You deal with one team for the units, transport and positioning, while our product range allows you to combine hygiene, dining and sleeping facilities on the same site.

Our units are designed for practical use, with lockable cubicles, changing space, heating and mains-fed hot water across the relevant shower products.

This makes it easier to provide temporary student welfare facilities that feel secure, private and comfortable while the permanent campus provision is unavailable or under pressure.

ASK BUNKABIN ABOUT TEMPORARY SHOWER AND WELFARE UNITS

Whether you are managing a refurbishment, responding to an emergency closure or adding capacity to temporary student accommodation, we can supply the hygiene and welfare facilities you need.

Our range includes portable shower units, combined shower and toilet facilities, toilet blocks and dining units. We can deliver and position them on a prepared site for the agreed hire period, then collect them when the permanent facilities return to use.

Ask Bunkabin about temporary shower and welfare units. Call 0345 456 7899 or request a quick quote.