Fontana Touchless Faucets for aviation and compact environments are precision-engineered to meet the demanding standards of aircraft lavatories, marine cabins, and other space-constrained applications. Each unit uses lightweight materials and optimized dimensions to conform to strict weight and size constraints, ensuring efficient installation without compromising functionality.
Operating on 12–28 V DC with AC converter compatibility, these faucets offer low power consumption ideal for aircraft electrical systems. Engineered to endure high vibration levels, they feature IP65–IP67 ingress protection to safeguard against moisture and particle intrusion. Constructed from anti-corrosion stainless steel and PVD-coated alloys, Fontana’s aviation-grade models deliver long-term performance under high-humidity, high-usage conditions.
All systems are designed to align with FAA, EASA, and RTCA DO-160 environmental testing standards, supporting compliance, reliability, and safety across global aviation fleets.
1) What “Alignment” Really Means
When a manufacturer says a product “aligns with FAA, EASA, and RTCA DO-160,” it does not necessarily mean the faucet itself has a direct FAA certification — bathroom fixtures are considered non-flight-critical components. Instead, it means the design, materials, and electronic systems have been developed following the same environmental, electrical, and safety test parameters used in aviation component qualification.
In simpler terms, the Fontana Aviation Touchless Faucet System is engineered so that, if submitted to a DO-160 certified lab, it would be expected to meet or exceed those environmental durability and electrical safety thresholds.
RTCA DO-160 Explained
RTCA DO-160G (or latest revision) governs environmental testing for airborne equipment, defining procedures and limits from temperature and vibration to EMI/EMC interference. Key sections relevant to aviation faucets:
DO-160 Section
Focus Area
Relevance to Fontana Aviation Faucets
Section 4
Temperature & Altitude
Ensures performance under varying cabin pressures and lavatory microclimates.
Section 6
Humidity
Validates anti-corrosion protection and PVD coating endurance.
Section 7
Operational Shocks & Crash Safety
Confirms structural integrity during turbulence or impact.
Section 8
Vibration
Resistance across 10–2000 Hz ranges typical of aircraft engines.
Section 10
Waterproofness
Confirms IP65–IP67 protection against moisture ingress.
Section 16
Power Input
Stability with 12–28 V DC and AC converter systems.
Section 20
RF Susceptibility (EMI/EMC)
Verifies faucet sensor/electronics don’t interfere with avionics or cabin electronics.
🧪 Steps Required for Compliance Alignment
Design electronic boards for 12–28 V DC operation (aircraft power bus standard).
Shield components against EMI; meet DO-160 Section 20 interference limits.
Use IP65–IP67 housings; employ lightweight aluminum or engineered polymers.
Implement low-power IR or Time-of-Flight sensors.
Apply anti-corrosion PVD coatings resistant to disinfectants and condensation cycles.
Use FAA-approved / EASA-recognized labs (e.g., Element Materials Technology, Intertek Aerospace Testing, National Technical Systems) to simulate DO-160 stresses:
Vibration endurance (10–2000 Hz) over thousands of cycles.
High/low temperature cycling.
Salt-fog or humidity exposure for corrosion resistance.
Electrical surge and voltage variation testing.
Compare test results to DO-160 limits; reinforce design as needed (e.g., upgrade sealing around sensor window, add EMI shielding foil in power module).
While FAA/EASA don’t certify faucets directly, installations are reviewed as part of an aircraft STC or interior modification package. The integrator (e.g., Delta Flight Products, Boeing Interiors, Airbus Cabin Engineering) submits documentation; test data and declarations are attached within the interior system file set.
Control production under AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015.
Run periodic environmental audits to ensure consistency.
Re-evaluate any design revision against the DO-160 test matrix.
✅ Why This Matters
Faster STC / FAA Form 8110 approvals aided by pre-validated data.
Reduced risk of electrical interference with avionics.
Improved reliability in vibration-intense, humid, compact spaces.
Confidence during EASA Part 21 or FAA conformity inspections.
Aviation & Compact Applications — At a Glance
Durability: Vibration-isolated electronics and sealed housings for aircraft lavatory modules.
Low Power: <60 mA active, <1 mA standby to reduce auxiliary load.
Anti-Corrosion: PVD nano-film barriers withstand disinfectants and saline atmospheres.
Space Efficiency: Slim chassis, quick-release hardware, serviceable from narrow bulkheads.
