Conference 7.286::home_work

    I just visited a "primitive" camp ground in one of the state parks
    in the Berkshires of Massachusets. They have outhouses in constant
    use. However, there is a problem. Once they fill up, they can't
    replace them anymore since, in Massachusetts, outhouses are now
    illegal unless they are covered by a "grandfather clause". You might
    want to check the legality of your proposed structure.
    
    Dave
    

    Hi Stan,
    
    An alternative to investigate is a Clivus Multrum (sp?).  These
    things are "composting systems" which might meet get around
    the legal hassles and still avoid plumbing. 
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Frank

    No legal problems in NH with outhouses.  I think the idea of going
    around and looking at existing ones is probably pretty good.  After
    all, if your father wants to be accepted by the local gentry, he can't
    admit to using PLANS to build an outhouse!  Check out those 
    "Porta-Potti" things too; those are probably the high-tech of 
    outhouses these days. Let's see...some ideas based on designs I've 
    seen/used:
    
    Have a vent pipe (4" thin-wall PVC) going from the pit up through
    the roof, with a screened, covered top (like you sometimes see on
    metal stovepipe).  The idea (I guess) is to induce a draft so the
    odor goes up the vent pipe, not up the hole.  You'd need screened
    areas around the bottom too, so air can come in.
    
    Dig a good hole in soil that drains well; you don't want it filling
    up with water after rains.  As an aside, add some of that "septic
    tank bacteria" stuff every so often to inspire the little critters;
    the hole will fill up more slowly.
    
    A urinal is a good idea; nothing fancy needed, just a small trough
    with a hose leading down.
    
    A cover helps keep the smell down, too.
    
    There was a great glossy picture book published a few years ago
    back in the back-to-the-land hippie days of artistic outhouses 
    people had built.  Where you'd ever find a copy I have no idea,
    but some of them were really elegant.  That might give you some
    ideas if you could ever find a copy of it.
    

  Long ago I worked for the Boy Scouts organization and part of the job
  was installing outhouses near campsites.  They went first class all the
  way and put in holding box that was made of 4x4s stacked like cribbing.
  It measured 10'x10'x10'.  The idea was that a box that would never fill
  up, even if used continually by hordes of scouts.  We put two 20' beams
  across the top if this box, and used them to hold pre-formed concrete
  slabs that had holes cut for the commodes, urinals, etc.  Post anchors
  on the slabs held the wooden structure.

  However, you can get away with using a much smaller holding box if you
  can get a septic tank pumping truck near it.  When the box does fill up
  (or if it just gets too nasty), you can fill it with water and pump the
  whole thing out, just as you would pump out a septic tank.

  JP

    This won't help you with the plans, but if you want to practice
    your Down-East accent on a related story, and get some of the
    "feel" of what you're building, get the Marshall Dodge record
    (one of the Bert and I series) that contains
    
    	"It's you-ah privy, Mistah Perkins..."
    
    You can get some good insight about just WHERE to build it.

    Thanks for all the replies, a few comments summarize the suggestions:
    
    1 - re .1, it is a 'grandfather' situation. 
    2 - re .2, the Clivus Multrum had been discussed, as well as electric
    and gas models.  However, it is for a camp and expense is a
    consideration as well as 'rusticity'
    3 - re .3, you're right in that a true Yankee would never admit
    to using plans for an outhouse.  The vent pipe is an excellent point.
    An extension to that that I saw while camping in Maine was a
    rectangular vent with the southern side above the roof covered with
    plexiglass.  The inside was painted black so that the sun would
    create a 'chimney effect' and enhance the draft.
    
    Thanks to a mail message I believe the book you mention is "Classic
    New England Outhouse Designs".
    
    4 - re .4, the point you make about being able to fill the 'holding
    area' with water and pump it out is excellent.  Especially when
    compared to Spring ritual I was not looking forward to.  :^)
    
    5 - the reference to 'septic tank bacteria' in .3 was also a good
    point.  Discussion around here centered around some sort of lime
    dispenser.
    
    Again, thanks to all who contributed to this 'more basic' topic.
    
    -Stan