Abstract:
A relocatable, easily movable worksite sanitation system that is a combination decontamination station and lavatory with two separate rooms suitable for complying with ADA and safety regulations that is continuously automatically electrically checked and verified to be in proper working order. The sanitation system has a water source and a power source, and the sanitation system includes an improved flush-type lavatory comprising at least a toilet and a sink with a lavatory water supply line providing water to said toilet and said sink. Both the lavatory and the decontamination rooms include an electrical system with a switch for turning the electrical system on and off. The decontamination station has at least an eye wash station and a shower with a decontamination water supply line providing water to said eye wash station and to said shower. The self-checking power system is included in the decontamination station electrical system with a decontamination station switch having an on position, wherein said on position provides power to said decontamination station electrical system. Further, a valve is adapted to receive water from said water source that actuates the decontamination station switch between providing water to said lavatory water supply line and said decontamination water supply line. The valve provides water to the decontamination water supply line when the decontamination station switch is in its “on” position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/257,324 filed on Nov. 19, 2015. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS WEB) 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0006]    This present disclosure relates to a relocatable decontamination station and lavatory. Decontamination stations are common on remote location events and worksites, such as where hazardous materials are used or where conditions are such that worksite injuries are foreseeable or reasonably expected. A common decontamination station is defined by objects and systems which can provide aid to an event attendee or a remotely located or stationary worker who has been injured or has otherwise been adversely affected at a worksite. The decontamination station may include, but is not limited to, a shower, an eyewash station, a first aid kit, a stretcher, or other objects as necessary. Decontamination stations are more common in buildings having worksites where hazardous conditions are known. 
         [0007]    Decontamination stations can be critical to worksite safety. For instance, if a worker is contacted with a chemical, the severity of the damage caused by the chemical is often time-dependent, meaning the quicker the chemical is washed off, the lesser the injury to the worker. For some worksites it may be difficult or impossible to position a built-in decontamination station in close proximity to the workers. 
         [0008]    Decontamination stations are infrequently used at a given worksite since worksite accidents are relatively rare. It is important that the decontamination station be in proper working order at the time of an accident. Current decontamination stations must be regularly checked and verified to be in proper working order by a technician. Such verification can be time consuming and costly. Having a portable decontamination station which automatically verifies proper function is desired. 
         [0009]    A lavatory, or bathroom, is a room or compartment which generally contains a toilet and a sink, among other amenities. Lavatories may be stationary, such as a room built as part of a home or building, or they may be portable, such as are known in the art. Portable lavatories typically include a tank or box having an opening at the top which includes a toilet seat, whereby any human waste is collected in the box below the user. Such human waste is often visible to the user through the toilet seat and emits odors. Such systems usually use chemicals to treat and deodorize the human waste, but such treatment of the waste is often insufficient as compared to the conditions of a built-in lavatory. As such, typical tank-type portable lavatories are typically unappealing to users due to the odor and visible waste. Improved portable lavatories are known which utilize a flush-type toilet which moves the waste to either a storage tank or to a wastewater treatment facility (such as a septic field or municipal waste treatment facility). 
         [0010]    Often, worksites are not permanently located at a fixed location, but are rather remotely located. For example, the location where workers are working on a worksite may move during the course of a construction project. In such a case, a stationary decontamination station or lavatory will be insufficient since it will be impossible for a stationary site to remain in close vicinity to the workers as the workers move with the construction project. 
         [0011]    An improved relocatable lavatory and decontamination station is desired for such instances. In certain instances, a ground level lavatory and/or decontamination station may be necessary to comply with ADA requirements. Such a sanitation system would be most desirable if it were inexpensive, movable and ADA compliant. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present disclosure describes a novel and non-obvious portable sanitation system including at least a toilet and an emergency station which can be bolted, or otherwise fastened, onto a work or entertainment trailer which makes the trailer into a fully functioning, health and safety amenable space. My portable sanitation system can either be placed at ground level or at trailer height depending on which level accommodates the most common usage of the sanitation system. Especially when the portable sanitation system is at the ground level, such a mobile lavatory and decontamination station can now become an ADA compliant unit that provides a completely outfitted sanitation trailer. Alternatively, the portable sanitation system can include a ramp or steps that step up to a raised portable sanitation system level whose floor is level with a trailer so that workers or occupants of the trailer can use the sanitation system without going up or down steps. 
         [0013]    The disclosed portable sanitation system may include a ground level lavatory and/or a decontamination station, either combined into one room or separated into two rooms. A desirable sanitation system in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention will be a movable shelter that may include at least two adjacent rooms with a lavatory and a separate decontamination station so that a person in the lavatory has privacy while someone using the decontamination station can have unobstructed access and unfettered use in an emergency. Generally, anyone using the decontamination station will not require as much privacy as one using the lavatory. As one can imagine, someone requiring immediate decontamination in an emergency, would not want to wait for someone to get out of the lavatory. Rather, they would want immediate unobstructed access to a separate room with the available decontamination equipment. 
         [0014]    The sanitation system described herein provides many benefits as compared to the prior art. The present sanitation system is portable, complete, private, can be ADA compliant, provides unobstructed access and is attractive, meaning that it can be moved to any desired location, whether indoors or outdoors. The present sanitation system provides unobstructed access to sanitation facilities, important in many settings. Factory settings would be ideal for a movable portable sanitation system in order to provide sanitation in varying locations. Since the sanitation system of the present invention can be moved around within the factory or workshop setting to accommodate the location of the workers, time can be saved for workers having to leave their locations in order to use the facilities. As time is money in a factory, such a sanitation system would be most desirable. 
         [0015]    In one preferred aspect, the present sanitation system may utilize a flushable toilet that allows the waste to flow waste straight back without needing any excavation. This type of toilet can be used in the same way as a standard toilet, reducing or eliminating the odors associated with a standard portable toilet and completely eliminating viewing the waste after flushing. Also envisioned is the inclusion of perhaps a waterless urinal, either alone or in combination with a toilet, no matter if other amenities are present. 
         [0016]    The present sanitation system integrates the plumbing of the lavatory with the plumbing of the decontamination station in such a way that use of either the toilet or the sink in the lavatory proves that the plumbing in the decontamination system is working. The present sanitation system integrates the electrical system in the lavatory with the electrical system in the decontamination station such that use of any of the electrical devices in the lavatory, such as the lights, confirms the proper working order of the electrical systems in the decontamination station. As such, each use of the lavatory provides evidence that both the plumbing and electrical systems in the decontamination station are functioning properly. 
         [0017]    The portable sanitation system described herein is a portable shelter having surrounding walls, a floor and a ceiling. The walls preferably separate the lavatory and the decontamination station into separate rooms such that both can be used simultaneously while providing privacy in each of the lavatory and decontamination stations. In one aspect, the portable sanitation system includes a single lavatory; in another aspect, the portable sanitation system includes two or more lavatories. The portable sanitation system receives water from an external source, such as a water tank or a municipal water source, possibly by a hose or the like. 
         [0018]    The portable sanitation system may receive electricity from any source, including external sources, such as a generator or any other suitable electricity source or even a battery power backup system. The lavatory includes a door which is closable for privacy. The decontamination station includes an opening that allows access, such as either a full panel door, or it may be merely hanging plastic strips or curtains. Because privacy levels in the decontamination station would generally be less than the level needed within the lavatory, any visual shield would do the job. A contaminated person may need to remove their clothes to become decontaminated, so a curtain would suffice. The sanitation system includes one or more outgoing pipes which moves waste liquid out of the sanitation system to a waste receptacle, such as to a holding tank or to a municipal sewer system. 
         [0019]    The lavatory may include both a toilet and a sink. The toilet is the same as, or similar in appearance and function to, a standard flush toilet found in a typical built-in lavatory, in that after use the toilet is flushed, the waste is removed from the holding tank, or is flushed into the sewer or a septic tank. The sink is the same as, or similar in function to, a standard sink found in a typical built-in lavatory. The sink is plumbed with water to allow a user to wash her hands following use of the toilet. A soap dispenser is located near the sink to aid the user in washing her hands. Optional hand sanitizing station equipment may also be present. 
         [0020]    The decontamination station preferably includes at least an eye wash station and a shower. The eye wash station includes one or more water spouts which allow a user to wash and rinse her eyes. The shower allows a user to rinse her body. In one aspect, the decontamination station is plumbed with a water heater which is in fluid communication with both the eye wash station and the shower to provide water thereto at an elevated temperature as compared to the temperature at which the water enters the sanitation system. 
         [0021]    The plumbing system in the lavatory receives water from an external source which enters the sanitation system through an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe preferably includes a T-junction, splitting the inlet into a lavatory line and a decontamination line, with the lavatory line directing water to the toilet and the sink and the decontamination line directing water to the decontamination station. The decontamination line may optionally include a filter and a pressure regulator. Such a filter removes particulates from the decontamination line. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure in the decontamination line to bring the pressure in the decontamination line to the pressure needed to supply water to the eye wash station and the decontamination shower. 
         [0022]    The plumbing systems for both the lavatory and the decontamination station are plumbed to one or more outlets for removing the spent fluid from the lavatory and the decontamination station. Preferably, the outlets from the lavatory and the decontamination station meet at a series of valves, which valves allow the selective discharge of liquid from either or both of the decontamination station or the lavatory. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    A more complete and full understanding of the aspects and nature of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the general layout and configuration of the various aspects of the sanitation system described herein; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the sanitation system of  FIG. 1  and including the general layout of the plumbing system, here water is provided to the sanitation system by a connected water tank; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the sanitation system of  FIG. 1  and including the general layout of the plumbing system, here water is provided to the sanitation system by a municipal water source; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the sanitation system of  FIG. 1  and including the general layout of the electrical system; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the general layout and configuration of a standalone decontamination station; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the general layout and configuration of a sanitation system used in combination with a portable work building; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the sanitation system and portable work building combination of  FIG. 6  as viewed from the side; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a bracket used to attach an object, such as a hand soap dispenser or a toilet paper dispenser, to one of the walls of the sanitation system; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the bracket of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a mating bracket which is suitable for use in combination with the bracket of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a hanging bracket which is suitable for use in combination with the bracket of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the hanging bracket of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, a portable sanitation system comprising a combination decontamination station and lavatory is disclosed. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the present disclosure describes a portable sanitation system  10 . As used herein, “portable” means that the system is not integrally built as part of a structure or building. The system may be portable in the sense that the system may be readily moved, such as by a forklift or other lift system as assembled, or alternatively, the system may be readily broken down into pieces which are suitable for being moved to another location where the system can be reassembled. Portable lavatories are well known in the art, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,380,836, 6,721,967 and 4,493,118, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0038]    The first aspect of the present invention may include a portable sanitation system  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  including two principle parts: a lavatory  12  and a decontamination station  14 . The lavatory  12  is a room which may house at least a toilet  16  and preferably also a sink  18 . Also envisioned is the inclusion of a waterless urinal either in addition to a toilet and a sink, or singly by itself. The decontamination station  14  is a room which is intended to house safety equipment, such as an eye wash station  20  and a shower  22 , among others. Together, in this aspect, the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14  define the portable sanitation system  10 , the component parts of which are described in greater detail below. Further this decontamination room may include a dispenser for disposable bags when the room is used for an emergency exchange of contaminated clothing. 
         [0039]    In this and other aspects of the present invention, the lavatory room and the decontamination room may be two individual completely assembled units that can be more easily transported and situated for use. The present invention could alleviate any on-site assembly by being delivered already fully assembled and ready for turn-key operation. Under certain circumstances, in practice, one might find that it takes heavy equipment to move a combination lavatory/decontamination building, possibly heavy equipment that the purchaser does not have on hand. Therefore, as one can imaging, two separate rooms may be easier to ship, move and situate. The decontamination room may be a separate room all together by itself, which can be moved into position next to a lavatory, or it may be moved and located near a location where emergencies are more likely to happen than next to a lavatory. 
         [0040]    The lavatory  12  is an enclosed room defined by surrounding walls, a floor and a ceiling. The lavatory  12  includes a door  24  which provides ingress and egress to the lavatory, and provides privacy. The toilet  16  is preferably a standard flush-type toilet, similar to what is available in standard restrooms, although any other type of suitable toilet may be used, including a P-type toilet. In addition, a sink and a waterless urinal may also be included. The toilet  16  is plumbed such that it receives water from an external source and deposits waste to an external receptacle, as described in greater detail below. The sink  18  is plumbed in a similar fashion as the toilet  16  in that it is plumbed to external reservoirs. If a waterless urinal is desired, it can be attached to any of the surrounding walls. The lavatory  12  is built in a way which simulates a standard built-in restroom with running water, but is portable and can easily be moved to another location. The lavatory  12  may also be wired with electricity to provide powered equipment such as a light  26  and a fan  28  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The electrical and plumbing systems are described in greater detail below. 
         [0041]    The decontamination station  14  is an enclosed room defined by surrounding walls, a floor and a ceiling. The decontamination station  14  includes a doorway  30  which is preferably freely passable by users. In one aspect, the doorway  30  includes plastic strips  32 , a curtain, or other freely movable object which will allow a user to enter and exit the decontamination station without using her hands, but also provides some protection from the elements (such as rain, wind, pests, dust and other objects which should be kept out of the decontamination station  14 ). A door  33  is optionally included to close doorway  30 , though during operation, the door  33  is preferably propped open. 
         [0042]    The decontamination station  14  may also house other items which may provide aid to a person who uses the station, such as a stretcher  34 , a first aid kit  36 , or other suitable objects. In one aspect, these other items may be stored in a storage cabinet  35  which is mounted either to the interior or the exterior of the decontamination station  14 . The eye wash station  20  and the shower  22  are plumbed to the plumbing system of the lavatory  12 , as described in greater detail below. The decontamination station optionally includes a water heater  38  for heating all or a portion of the water which is used in the eye wash station  20  and/or the shower  22 . In one aspect, the water heater  38  also supplies hot water to the sink  18 . The decontamination station  14  is also wired with electricity to provide powered equipment such as a light  40  and a fan  42  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The electrical and plumbing systems are described in greater detail below. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  shows the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14  as adjacent to one another. The space between the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustrative purposes; the lavatory and  12  and the decontamination station  14  may each be free standing, and abut one another, or they may share a wall or a curtain type closure. In one aspect, the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14  are built as a single unit, in an alternative aspect the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14  are separable during transport. In an additional aspect the sanitation system  10  is defined by a single lavatory  12  and a single decontamination station  14 . In a further aspect, the sanitation system  10  is defined by a plurality of lavatories  12  and a single decontamination station  14 . In yet an additional aspect, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the decontamination station is a stand-alone unit. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , this Figure provides a block diagram showing the general layout of the elements of the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14 . Specifically,  FIG. 2  illustrates the layout of the plumbing system of the sanitation system  10 . The flow of water in the sanitation system  10  is indicated by the arrows and starts at the water source  44 , which may be any source of water, whether it is supplied by a water hose, like a garden hose, or it may be a portable water tank which can serve as the source for water into the sanitation system  10 . If a waterless urinal is utilized, appropriate water hook-ups will be implemented. In the event that a water tank  44  it utilized, there is disclosed an optional pump for bringing water from water tank  44  including an outlet which is joined to a pipe  46  which in turn is joined to optional pump  48 . The pump  48  moves the water from the tank  44  to the sanitation system  10 . The pump  48  also adds pressure or “head” to the water sufficient to allow the toilet  16  and the sink  18  to have sufficient water pressure to function properly. If the water source is a continuous supply water hose, there would be sufficient water pressure to function properly without the optional pump  48 . 
         [0045]    In either aspect of the above mentioned configuration, the water leaving water source  44  would then travel through a pipe  50  to a valve  52 . The valve  52  serves to divert the water from the water source  44  to either the lavatory  12  or the decontamination station  14 . The valve  52  is a switch valve that is preferably electronically controlled, switching the path of the water between a lavatory line  54  and a decontamination line  56 . The lavatory line  54  splits into a toilet supply line  58  and a sink supply line  60 , which provides water to the toilet  16  and the sink  18  respectively. As described in greater detail below, valve  52  is integrated with the electrical system in the decontamination station  14 , such that use of the decontamination station  14  automatically causes valve  52  to divert the flow of water to the decontamination station  14 . The toilet  16  may be either direct path flush toilet, not requiring any excavation, or a standard flush-type toilet, whereby the water and waste together are evacuated from the toilet through a toilet evacuation line  62 . The sink  18  includes a drain through which water is evacuated from the sink to a sink evacuation line  64 . The sink evacuation line  64  connects via a junction  66  to the toilet evacuation line  62 . The toilet evacuation line  62  terminates in a first valve  68 . The first valve  68  is a standard switch valve which can be actuated to divert flow to either a first outlet line  70  or to a second valve  72 . The second valve  72  can be actuated to either allow fluid communication between the first valve  68  and a third valve  74 , or can be closed to stop fluid from traveling between the first valve  68  and the third valve  74 . The third valve  74  is discussed below in greater detail in context of the decontamination station  14 . 
         [0046]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the decontamination line  56  may include a filter  76  and a pressure regulator  78 . The filter  76  and the pressure regulator  78  would be positioned in the decontamination line  56  after valve  52  and before either the eye wash station  20  or the shower  22 . The filter  76  serves to filter the water passing through the decontamination line  56 , and can serve to remove particulates or other unwanted matter from the decontamination line  56 . The pressure regulator  78  serves to regulate the pressure in the decontamination line  56 . The pressure regulator  78  preferably serves to keep the flow in the decontamination line  56  at or below a desired pressure. Preferably, the filter  76  is located before the pressure regulator  78 . As used herein, “before” means upstream, or that the water will pass through the filter  76  before the pressure regulator  78 . As used herein, “after” means downstream, or that the water will pass through the pressure regulator  78  after the filter  76 . The drawings include arrows representing the fluid flow direction under normal operating conditions. In another aspect, the pressure regulator  78  is positioned before the filter  76 . The valve  52  governs whether water passes through the lavatory line  54  or the decontamination line  56 . 
         [0047]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the water exits the pressure regulator  78  to a decontamination station supply line  80 . A water heater supply line  82  branches from the decontamination supply line  80 , and diverts a portion of the water therein to the water heater  38  which elevates the temperature of the water. The water heater  38  includes a water inlet which receives water from the water heater supply line  80  and a hot water outlet which provides water to a water heater outlet line  84 . The water heater  38  optionally includes a secondary outlet which provides water to a water heater drain line  86  for the purpose of draining the water heater  38 . The water in the decontamination supply line  80  is cold relative to the water in the water heater outlet line  84 . The decontamination supply line splits into an eye wash cold supply line  88  and a shower cold supply line  90 . The water heater outlet line  84  splits into an eye wash hot supply line  92  and a shower hot supply line  94 . The eye wash station is plumbed to receive cold water from the cold supply line  88  and hot water from the hot supply line  92 , whereby the incoming water is mixed to a preferably warm and comfortable temperature. Similarly, the shower station is plumbed to receive cold water from the cold supply line  90  and water from the hot supply line  94 , whereby the incoming water is mixed to a preferably warm and comfortable temperature. 
         [0048]    The eye wash station  20  includes an outlet which allows water to drain from the eye wash station to an eye wash outlet line  96 . The shower  22  includes an outlet which allows water to drain from the shower  22  to a shower outlet line  98 . The eye wash outlet line  96  is joined by a junction to the shower outlet  98 , and the shower outlet line  98  terminates at the third valve  74 . The third valve  74  is a standard switch valve which can be actuated to divert flow to either a second outlet line  100  or to the second valve  72 . The second valve  72  can be actuated to either allow fluid communication between the first valve  68  and a third valve  74 , or can be closed to stop fluid from traveling between the first valve  68  and the second valve  74 . The combination of the first valve  68 , the second valve  72  and the third valve  74  allow the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14  to be drained to different places. The selective draining has the advantage of segregating the human waste from the lavatory  12  from the chemical or other waste from the decontamination station  14 , since each has different processing and handling requirements. The valves  68 ,  72  and  74  also allow drainage of both the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14  to the same outlet. The valves  68 ,  72  and  74  allow for flexible and variable draining options for the lavatory  12  and the decontamination station  14 . 
         [0049]    In an alternative aspect, the optional water heater outlet line  84  includes a branch which provides heated water to the sink  18  in the lavatory  12  to allow for hot water for hand washing (not shown). 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , rather than having a source of water from a nearby water tank, this aspect of the present invention shows the plumbing layout of a sanitation system  10  which is fed water from a municipal water source  102 . All components which are in common with corresponding components shown in the other Figures are identified by the same reference numerals. It is assumed that water provided from the municipal water source  102  is delivered to the sanitation system  10  at sufficient pressure to operate the toilet  16  and the sink  18 , and as such a pump is not required as is needed when a water tank is used to supply the water. The municipal water source provides water to a pipe  50 , which serves as the water inlet for the sanitation system  10 . All components of the sanitation system  10  shown downstream of the pipe  50  are the same as, or similar to, the components shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0051]    Referring next to  FIG. 4 , this Figure provides a schematic diagram of an electrical system of sanitation system  10 . Again, all components which are in common with corresponding components shown in the other Figures are identified by the same reference numerals. A power source  104  provides electricity to the sanitation system  10 . The power source  104  is any suitable power source for providing electricity, such as a municipal power system, a battery system, a solar system, a generator, or any other system suitable for providing the required electricity. 
         [0052]    The systems shown in  FIG. 4  are not meant to be detailed wiring diagrams, but instead are designed to show basic electrical layouts of the corresponding systems. Power source  104  supplies electricity to the sanitation system  10  via a conduit  106 . The conduit  106  is connected to a lavatory switch  108  and a decontamination room switch  110 . The lavatory switch may be connected to various components, including light  26  and a fan  114  or an electrical outlet usable for any electrical device to be plugged into, whereby actuation of the lavatory switch  108  turns the light  26  or the fan  114  on or off. All of the electrical systems which are connected to the lavatory switch  108 , including the light  26 , the fan  114 , and any other objects which are suitable, are collectively referred to as the lavatory electrical system. Alternatively, light  26  and the fan  114  may be connected to separate switches. Since both switch  108  and switch  110  are connected to the same conduit, each time the switch  108  is turned on and the fan  114  and the light  26  indicate they are powered, the user knows that power is present, and that power is being provided to both the lavatory  12  and to the decontamination station  14 . 
         [0053]    For safety&#39;s sake, this is an important feature because use of either the light  26  or the fan  114  in the lavatory  12  indicates to the user that the decontamination station is properly powered, eliminating the need for periodic inspections of the electrical system in the decontamination station  14 . This self-check function of the electrical system is analogous to the plumbing system—any use of the toilet  16  or the sink  18  provides notice that the plumbing in the decontamination station  14  is properly functioning and ready for an emergency. 
         [0054]    The last thing anyone wants is to be involved in an emergency, only to find that the decontamination station is not operable. It is most desirable to have a system for constant monitoring of emergency readiness for the decontamination station. The present invention provides such a monitoring system that is new, useful and non-obvious. Heretofore, the present inventor is not aware of any such emergency ready system. 
         [0055]    Still referring to  FIG. 4 , constant monitoring of emergency readiness for the decontamination station is enabled when decontamination switch  110  is connected to light  40  and fan  118 , whereby actuation of the switch  110  turns the light  40  and the fan  118  on or off. All of the electrical systems which are connected to the decontamination station switch  110 , including the light  40 , the fan  118 , and any other objects which are suitable, are collectively referred to as the decontamination station electrical system. Switch  110  is also connected to valve  52 , such that actuation of switch  110  also switches on the valve  52 , such that when the switch  110  is in the on position, the valve  52  directs water to the decontamination line  56 , and when the switch  110  is in the off position, the valve  52  directs water to the lavatory line  54 . Thereby, actuating the switch  110  to the “on” position turns on the light  40  and the fan  118 , and switches the valve  52  to supply water to the decontamination station  14 . This effectively checks the electrical system for emergency readiness. The switch  110  can be a standard actuating light switch, or can also be activated by sensing motion, sound, light or any other suitable type of sensor known in the art. As such, in one aspect, a suitable sensor senses when a person passes through the door  30 , and by so doing, the light  40  and the fan  118  may be turned on, and the valve  52  redirects water to the decontamination station  14 . The lines shown connecting the various systems in  FIG. 4  are electrical conduits. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a standalone decontamination station  120  is provided. Such a free standing unit may be desirable to provide proper equipment capable of enabling certification for worksite permits for work trailers and the like. Imagine bringing numerous work trailers to a work site, but not being able to work there because local safety regulations require a decontamination station. Therefore, disclosed is a decontamination station  120  that is a free standing structure defined by surrounding walls, a floor and a ceiling. The decontamination station  120  includes components similar to the decontamination station  14  shown in the preceding Figures, namely an eye wash station  20 , shower  22 , possibly a water heater  38 , and other objects and structures, with similar objects having the same reference numerals. 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  provides a block diagram of a possible layout of various components of the decontamination station  120 . The decontamination station  120  shown in  FIG. 5  is not plumbed or wired to an attached lavatory, and as such, may be plumbed directly to a water source or a water tank and/or wired directly to an electrical source. As such, the decontamination station  120  lacks the self-check features of the plumbing and electrical system provided by the attached lavatory in the preceding Figures. Alternatively, the decontamination station  120  may include a battery-powered monitoring system which could remotely monitor the electrical and water supply to the decontamination station  120 , possibly sounding an alert, or providing a visual display when there is an interruption in water or electricity to the decontamination station  120 . 
         [0058]    Referring next to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in one aspect, sanitation system  10  may be coupled to a building  122 . The building  122  may be a portable office structure, as is common at jobsites, but may also be any permanent or movable structure in need of either a lavatory and/or a decontamination station. The sanitation system  10  is assembled adjacent to building  122 , and is removably secured thereto. In one aspect, the decontamination station  120  includes a rear opening  124  which aligns with an opening  126  or door on the building  122 , to allow access to the decontamination station  14  from the building  122  without having to battle the outer elements. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the building  122  may be offset vertically from the sanitation system  10 , such as is commonly the case with mobile office buildings which are carried on wheels  128 . This vertical offset can accommodate travel between the building  122  and the sanitation system  10 , as stairs  130  are provided therebetween. In one aspect, the decontamination station  14  is elongated as compared to the previous aspects to allow room for the door between the decontamination station  14  and the building  122 . In another aspect (not shown) a door is present between the building  122  and the lavatory  12 . In a still further aspect (not shown) a standalone decontamination station, such as shown in  FIG. 5 , is attached to the building  122 , in such aspect, the aspect of  FIG. 5  is modified to include a rear opening to allow access to the building  122 . 
         [0059]    This aspect sanitation system may be classified as a bolt-on bathroom suitable for health, safety and/or ADA shelters which can be manufactured as a single large module incorporating both the lavatory and the decontamination modules, or it may be manufactured as separate modules by function. The sanitation system module can be large enough to be both a health and safety shelter and an ADA Compliant Lavatory. In accordance with the present invention, the modules may be bolted onto or otherwise attached to a multi-purpose trailer or container that is used on construction, industrial, residential or event sites. 
         [0060]    The above described multi-purpose trailer or container may have an access or egress door from inside the trailer that is accessible to the ground level module, making it ADA compliant as well as being accessible from within the trailer without people having to climb down stairs outside to get into the lavatory. If the door of the trailer or container is higher than that of the module, the ground level module&#39;s attachment door will be placed at the same level as the trailer or container door and fastened by bolts, rivets or other methods. Interior module steps with safety railings will be added for access into the module from the trailer if the trailer is higher. 
         [0061]    The sanitation system module of this aspect of the present invention may also have a street access door. If someone enters the module from the street access door and turns on the light, the access/egress door could lock and will unlock when the street access door is opened and the light is turned off. The remote locking and unlocking of both doors could be achieved by use of magnetic locks. Either or both doors can be fitted with a magnetic lock which could be activated by the light switch at the same time the lights are activated. The same will be true of the access/egress door. If someone enters the sanitation system module from the access/egress door from up above the street level, the street access door will lock, etc. 
         [0062]    My bolt-on bathroom, health and safety shelter can also be a stand-alone building for inside or outside construction, industrial or commercial sites making it ADA and safety compliant automatically. Furthermore, the modules could also be used as a Lactation Station or an ADA Compliant Lavatory if required. All doors can be fitted with materials that will provide unobstructed access that can be closed and locked during off hours. Regardless, during working hours, it is preferred that the door should be left open for unobstructed access to personnel having an emergency situation. As time is short for tending to emergencies, an open door will save a few seconds for access to the decontamination system. 
         [0063]    The modules may be made of plastic, aluminum, or any other suitable material. They will preferably have a steel frame floor with tine ports for mobility and can be moved and relocated with most material handling equipment. 
         [0064]    Consequently, as the present inventor envisions the possibility of the lavatory being on the ground level directly, he envisions such that the lavatory can become compliant with regulations of the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Such compliance can provide a huge advantage to an event planner or contractor over having to assemble a stick built conventional lavatory up in the portable office, event station or work trailer, because with the present invention installed, the lavatory can then be used by anyone, whether disabled or not. Thereby, any event trailer, work trailer or portable office can now become ADA compliant, allowing the use of the trailer in remote locations in an inexpensive and non-permanent fashion for any type of event, whether for working or for entertaining. 
         [0065]    Referring again to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , within the sanitation system of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a bracket  132  may be provided for removably securing objects to the walls of the sanitation system  10 . The objects secured by the bracket  132  may include, but are not limited to, a toilet paper dispenser  180  and a hand soap dispenser  182 . The bracket  132  as viewed from the top, is generally C-shaped, having a first arm  134 , a second arm  136  and a spanning portion  138 . The first arm  134  is joined to the spanning portion  138  by a first connecting member  140 . The second arm  136  is joined to the spanning member  138  by a second connecting member  142 . Thereby, the first and second connecting members  140 ,  142 , serve to offset the spanning member  138  from both the first arm  134  and the second arm  136 . The offset provided by the first and second connecting members  140 ,  142  provides space for hanging objects on the bracket  132 , as described in greater detail below. The first arm  134  and the second arm  136  are preferably parallel to the spanning member  138 . The first arm  134  and the second arm  136  are preferably oriented in a common plane, which plane is parallel with the spanning member  138  and which plane is perpendicular to both the first connecting member  140  and the second connecting member  142 . A series of apertures are formed through the bracket  132  for accepting fasteners. 
         [0066]    A first aperture  144  is formed through the first arm  134 , the first aperture  144  is suitable for accepting a fastener which removably secures the first arm  134  to one of the walls of the sanitation system  10 . A second aperture  146  is formed through the second arm  136 , the second aperture  146  is suitable for accepting a fastener which removably secures the second arm  136  to one of the walls of the sanitation system  10 . The spanning portion  138  includes a first access aperture  148  which provides access through the spanning portion  138  to allow a fastener to be secured at the first aperture  144 . Similarly, the spanning portion  138  also includes a second access aperture  150  which provides access through the spanning portion  138  to allow a fastener to be secured at the second aperture  146 . The spanning portion  138  also optionally includes one or more auxiliary apertures  152  which are spaced inwardly from the first access aperture  144  and the second access aperture  146 . The auxiliary apertures  152  are suitable for securing an object, such as a toilet paper dispenser  180  or a hand soap dispenser  182 , to the bracket  132 . 
         [0067]    A mating bracket  154  is provided for removably joining an object, such as a toilet paper dispenser  180 , to the bracket  138 . The mating bracket  154  includes a generally planar face  156  which may include one or more apertures  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 . As shown, the apertures  158 ,  160  are shown as elongated horizontally and are positioned on the upper half of the mating bracket  154 . The apertures  162 ,  164  are elongate vertically and are positioned on the lower half of the mating bracket  154 . The apertures  158 ,  160  are oriented to align with the apertures  152  on a first bracket  132 , and the apertures  162 ,  164  are oriented to align with the apertures  152  on a second bracket  132 , such that the mating bracket  154  may be joined to a pair of brackets  132  using four fasteners secured through the respective apertures. The mating bracket  154  is joined to an object, such as a toilet paper dispenser  180 . One suitable mechanism for joining the mating bracket to the object is through the use of a series of tabs  166 , shown in dotted line. The tabs  166  are configured to mate with slots formed on the object to allow the object to be joined to mating bracket  154 , such as by aligning the tabs  166  with the slots and then sliding the object relative to the mating bracket  154  to lock the object to the mating bracket  154 . 
         [0068]    A hanging bracket  168  is provided for removably joining an object, such as a hand soap dispenser  182 , to the bracket  138 . The hanging bracket  168 , as viewed from the side, is generally J-shaped, having a sheathing member  170  which is sized to fit in the offset defined by the first and second connecting members  140 ,  142 . The sheathing member  170  is joined to a backing member  172  by an offset portion  174 . The sheathing member  170  and the backing member  172  are preferably oriented parallel with each other with the offset portion  174  oriented perpendicularly to both the sheathing member  170  and the backing member  172 . With the sheathing member  170  inserted in the offset of the bracket  132 , the offset portion  174  rests on upper edge of the spanning portion  138 , thereby the weight of the hanging bracket  168  is carried by the spanning portion  138 . The hanging bracket  168  optionally includes one side of a hook and loop fastener  176  which is joined to the backing member  172  (the other side of the hook and loop fastener  176  being joined to the wall spaced below the bracket  132 ). The backing member  172  includes an outward-facing face  178  to which the object, such as a hand soap dispenser  182 , is joined, such as by adhesive. The outward-facing face  178  is the side of the backing member  172  opposite the sheathing member  170 . 
         [0069]    It is understood that while certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other aspects. No specific limitation with respect to the specific aspects disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. The foregoing description of preferred aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings with regards to the specific aspects. The aspects were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various aspects and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.