Innovation in aircraft interior equipment - LAV4ALL by FACC

The international aerospace group FACC pursues a clear strategy: using innovations to sustainably advance and design the mobility of the future. To this end, the technology leader has introduced “LAV4ALL”, a 100 percent barrier-free aircraft lavatory for retrofitting which offers more internal space while outside dimensions remain unchanged, and has thus set another important milestone addressing the comfort, hygiene, and well-being of all passengers including those with special needs.  FACC constantly strives towards making aircraft more efficient, reliable, silent, sustainable, and comfortable. The research and development activities of the group’ s Division Cabin Interiors focus on the consistent improvement of aircraft interior with a view to making it as pleasant and as functional as possible for both the passengers and the crew. At the same time, an appealing look, feel, and impression, as well as economic acquisition and efficient operation are especially important. 

Aircraft lavatories are extremely sensitive units of interior equipment. People with special needs often find them to be barriers that makes them difficult or even impossible to use during a flight. This is what FACC has directly addressed with its latest innovation “LAV4ALL”. It offers improved accessibility, increased space, and enhanced ease of use to people with reduced mobility or other impairments such as poor eyesight or hearing difficulties, thus making assistance unnecessary. The facilities can be used with less stress and more dignity. One new feature is the door opening at a right angle, which blocks off glances from the aisle during entering as long as the door is open and affords more privacy. As soon as the “LAV4ALL” door is closed, the galley can be entered again and does not need to be blocked for as long as the lavatory is occupied.

“Requirements on aircraft toilets are very high: optimum usability and functionality, highest standards of hygiene, but also economic acquisition and operation are important criteria. With the ‘LAV4ALL’, our experts together with external development partners have accomplished to design a comprehensive optimal solution and to bring it into serial production”, says Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC AG, who is proud of this innovation designed by FACC. This successful product development could be realized together with development partners such as NETWISS OG, Rodlauer Consulting, TU Wien, Raltec research group, FH Joanneum, and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, as well as funding partners like the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK). 

LAV4ALL: 100 percent barrier-free 

“LAV4ALL” substantially increases the travel comfort of passengers with reduced mobility and significantly contributes to improving the privacy and dignity of passengers. In the starting phase, dedicated concerned persons were consulted in order to ensure that their individual needs and wishes could be considered to the greatest possible extent during the development phase. “The access to the lavatory was one of the most important issues. Inside we wanted to offer enlarged space as generous as possible. Due to the diagonal entrance, the area available for moving has become wider which makes the transfer clearly easier. Now the facilities can be used without assistance. If the lavatory is in the rear cabin area of the aircraft, a wheelchair user can make a U-turn in the galley and enter the lavatory more easily. All handles, levers, and switches are exactly adapted to special needs such as height or size; they are accentuated in color as well as optimized. With our new products we offer all passengers without exception to be mobile globally“, reports Robert Braunsberger, VP Division Cabin Interiors with FACC. And while “LAV4ALL” offers a more generous lavatory area, both the maximum seat capacity and the size of the galley remain unchanged. The new lavatory solution features hygienic surfaces and a seamless design.

New product for FACC Aftermarket Services

At first, “LAV4ALL” has been developed as a retrofit solution for the A3SA aircraft family considering its existing outside dimensions. Upon request, retrofit solutions for further aircraft types for short, medium, and long haul will follow. This new and innovative product solution from FACC will be promoted globally by FACC Aftermarket Services together with its Distributors and MRO-Stations. “In addition to our repair services and spare part distribution, we also offer cabin modifications and retrofit solutions through our FACC Aftermarket Services network. Our experts have comprehensive know-how in terms of engineering and certification. To keep the installation time and cost low, we deliver “LAV4ALL” as ready to install as possible. We want to offer our airline customers a competitive advantage and provide them with a solution even before any aviation regulation adaptions will apply “, says Christian Mundigler, VP FACC Aftermarket Services.