When Forte Welcome Break decided to build the most advanced motorway service station in the UK, they charged a design team to bear ecological considerations and the prevention of waste very firmly in mind. The environment-friendly measures incorporate the first significant installation of vacuum toilet systems on land in the United Kingdom. "In addition to providing a better environment for an estimated 4 million visitors a year, the vacuum toilets expect to save 13,000 tons of fresh water annually equalling the same amount in pounds," says Mr. John Forte, Environmental Director of Forte PLC.

The Birchanger Green service area, which opened in spring 1995, is situated about 60 kilometres north of London near Stansted Airport, at Junction 8 on the M11 motorway. It offers a Welcome Break travel service centre including a service station with restaurants, cafés, shops, and a 60 bedroom Travelodge Motel. The two buildings feature high-standard WC facilities using 120 new generation Silent vacuum toilet systems supplied by Evac.
These are served from twin central vacuum modules with sewage discharge pumps providing 100 per cent stand-by capacity under normal trading conditions.

Dramatic reduction in water consumption
A vacuum toilet flushes effectively with only 1.2 litres of water compared to about 7 litres in a conventional gravity system. The pipes measure just 50 mm in diameter or half the size of gravity connections. Infrastructure costs are reduced and valuable space is released for building usage.
Vacuum pipes do not have to slope down. Instead they can be lifted upwards to 6 metres, which increases flexibility in the layout and the location of sanitary facilities. They can be routed under, over and around beams, ventilation ducts and other obstructions without difficulty, simplifying and speeding up the installation process.
A vacuum system requires only one vent, which is located at the vacuum plant. Costly inside roof penetrations are therefore substantially reduced.

Air intake removes toilet odour
With each flush in a vacuum toilet more than 60 litres of air is sucked in. This should prevent unpleasant odours and air-borne bacteria from entering the room, thus enhancing the hygiene and the personal comfort in sanitary facilities.
Evac's toilets are said to flush at least four times faster than conventional gravity toilets, which is a big advantage during periods of heavy use.
The vitreous china toilet bowls installed at the Birchanger Green are equipped with a light, but thick and well insulated lid. They are quieter than gravity toilets and have a shorter flush cycle. The sanitary fittings are manufactured according to ISO 9001.
Problems with leakage are said to be practically non-existent in a vacuum sanitary installation.
Evac has 30 years of experience in mobile vacuum system applications for 3,700 ships, 3,000 railway coaches and 50 different airlines worldwide.
Featuring a compact design, flexibility in installation and water saving, the systems are spreading to land-based projects.
Based on Finnish/Swedish design and engineering knowhow, Evac's systems have been installed in the UK in e.g. the Channel Tunnel nightstock, minesweeper vessels, the British Museum and the Tate Gallery as well as the most advanced Forte Welcome Break travel service centre. Evac belongs to Sanitec, a division of the Finnish Metra Group.

Picture captions
(1) Forte Welcome Break wants to provide a better
environment for the expected 4 million visitors a year to the most advanced motorway service station in the UK.

(2) Substantial savings in water and money can be achieved by installing Evac toilets, which flush with only 1.2 litres compared to about 7 litres in a gravity system.






For more information, please contact:
Evac (U.K.) Ltd, Mr Ray Bell,
Gainsborough House,
42-44 Bath Road,
Cheltenham, GL53 7HJ,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 01242 253 922, Fax: 01242 221 187.

Evac Oy,
Mr Henry Olin,
Purotie 1,
FIN-00380 Helsinki,
Finland.
Tel: +358-0-506 761, Fax: +358-0-506 76333.