ISO 24599:2025

International
Standard
ISO 24599
First edition
Guidelines for the management
2025-10
of mobile toilets under epidemic
situations
Lignes directrices relatives à la gestion des toilettes mobiles dans
les situations d'épidémie
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Mobile toilet components . 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Mobile toilets general components.3
4.2.1 General .3
4.2.2 Water supply and drainage .3
4.2.3 Electrical aspect .4
4.2.4 Ventilation and deodorisation .4
4.2.5 Suitable toilet flushing unit.4
4.3 Performance criteria .5
5 Management of mobile toilets. 5
5.1 General .5
5.2 Environmental management .5
5.3 Risk management .6
6 Site selection, installation and disassembly . 6
6.1 Site selection .6
6.1.1 General .6
6.1.2 Identification and packaging .7
6.1.3 Transportation and storage .7
6.2 Installation .7
6.2.1 General .7
6.2.2 Hoisting and placement .7
6.2.3 External connections .8
6.2.4 Disassembly and evacuation .8
7 Planning and maintenance . 8
7.1 Operation procedures and instructions .8
7.1.1 Connection of the mobile toilet to a public wastewater system and the
conveyance .8
7.1.2 Cleaning and disinfection of the mobile toilet .8
7.1.3 Transportation of waste .9
7.2 Maintenance instructions . .9
7.3 Testing methods .10
8 Health and safety issues . 10
8.1 Cleaning or maintenance personnel .10
8.2 Transportation personnel .10
8.3 Users .11
9 Rapid response mechanism .11
Annex A (informative) Reference range for toilet housing dimensions and materials .12
Bibliography .13

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 224, Drinking water, wastewater and
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Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
In recent years, public epidemic emergencies (PEEs), especially viral infectious diseases, have occurred
frequently around the world, existing as a significant threat to the global healthcare systems and economy.
Generally, PEEs are characterized by their sudden occurrence, diverse causes and distribution, and rapid
transmission. It is often difficult for medical facilities and services to meet the timely treatment needs of
infected or suspected cases in time, especially in developing countries with large populations and limited
medical facilities and services. Deaths and adverse health outcomes caused by frequent public epidemic
[11]
emergencies are also barriers to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Many infectious diseases, such as H5N1 flu, SARS and COVID-19, have a strong tendency to spread from
person to person through various pathways, e.g. aerosol droplet transmission, direct contact, and the faecal-
[12]
oral route. Limiting contact between people and pathogens is a key component of epidemic control.
A PEE can either be a consequence or a cause of a crisis, affecting water services involving a partial or total
breakdown of sanitation services.
In certain cases of epidemic, the existing sanitation service can be overwhelmed in terms of collection
capacity (field hospitals, temporary treatment facilities, temporary settlements, etc.), and alternative
solutions are needed.
The collection and safe disposal of faeces and sanitary wastewater are of paramount importance considering
the risk to public health. In case of major disruption or rupture, alternative service is necessary.
Since the outbreak of PEEs is difficult to control, the rapid response of supporting facilities, including the
provision of mobile toilets, can help prevent the further spread of pathogens.
To reduce the potential of faecal oral transmission, more attention should be given to the provision of
mobile toilets in quarantine areas and “mobile cabin hospitals”. Hence, guidelines and instructions should
be established governing the management of mobile sanitation facilities and emergency portable toilet
provisions under PEEs.
Developing and implementing this guideline can:
— reduce the risk of the potential faecal-oral transmission of pathogens;
— improve the safety of toilet users and operators;
— promote the design and installation efficiency of emergency mobile toilets;
— improve the rapid mechanism for the deployment of mobile toilets in case of PEEs.

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