Airport Noise Insulation

SFO Airport Noise Insulation

The SFO Noise Insulation Program (NIP) is broken down into 3 initiatives: the Second Chance Initiative (SCI), the Expanded Eligibility Initiative (EEI), and the Repair or Replacement Initiative (RRI).

The NIP has included the installation of windows, doors, and ventilation systems in eligible homes. The total program expenditure to date exceeds $190 million.

Second Chance Initiative (SCI) 

Managed by SFO since 2008, the Second Chance Initiative (SCI) provides a “second chance” for homeowners of properties that were never treated in prior phases of the Noise Insulation Program to participate in the NIP. SCI is a continuation of the FAA’s original Sound Insulation Program, involving acoustical treatment of eligible homes located inside the 65-dB contour of the current 2019 FAA-approved Noise Exposure Map (NEM). SFO applies on behalf of the homeowner directly to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for federal funding and eligibility. Expanded Eligibility Initiative (EEI)  

Expanded Eligibility Initiative (EEI)

The EEI provides a complete re-installation of acoustical improvements to eligible homes under SFO’s NIP. This new initiative was started by the FAA in FY2022. SFO is one of the first airports in the US to receive this new type of grant.

EEI eligible homes are considered “untreated”, and consequently potentially eligible for new noise insulation packages if noise treatments were installed prior to 1993. EEI is an expansion of the SCI eligibility, following all original SCI eligibility requirements, and providing all of SCI’s original noise insulation treatments to homes noise mitigated on or before December 31, 1992. This initiative is up to 80% funded by 4-year FAA grants which will be applied for on an as-needed, annual basis.

Repair of Replacement Initiative (RRI)  

In 2018, the Repair or Replacement Initiative (RRI) was launched by SFO to address issues with eligible acoustical improvements that were installed in earlier phases of SFO’s NIP that are no longer functioning properly.

SFO is the first airport to pilot such an effort, using 100% Airport funds to perform these improvements. The improvements consist of window and door repair or replacements including associated building sealing measures. Homes must be within the current 2019 Noise Exposure Map (NEM) to be deemed eligible, but unlike SCI and EEI, RRI is NOT an acoustical effort, as there are no aimed interior noise reduction levels for the participating homes.

To learn more about these programs, visit SFO’s Aircraft Noise Office at https://noise.flysfo.com/noise-efforts/noise-insulation-program/program-initiatives-and-eligibility/.