LAV sinks will run for ____ - _____ seconds when the faucet is activated.

• A. 11-15
• B. 5-10
• C. 0-5
• D. 20-30

Answer: (B)

When the lavatory faucet is activated, it is designed to run for a short, fixed period. This time window is intentionally brief—5 to 10 seconds—to let you wet your hands and apply soap, but not waste water. Aircraft water supplies are limited, and conserving water helps ensure there’s enough for the entire flight and for other passengers’ needs. The faucet is controlled by a timer, so once you press or activate it, the valve automatically closes after that interval.

If the interval were much shorter (0–5 seconds), you’d likely struggle to wet hands and lather properly. If it were longer (11–15 or 20–30 seconds), it would waste water and could deplete the cabin’s limited supply more quickly. The 5–10 second range strikes a balance between effective hand washing and water conservation.