The SFO 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.
Insulation initiatives to reduce noise
The NIP has included the installation of windows, doors, and ventilation systems in eligible homes. The total program expenditure to date exceeds $190 million.
Program Initiatives
Second Chance Initiative
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.
SCI improvements consist of replacing existing windows and doors with acoustically rated noise-insulating windows and doors, an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) installation and associated electrical work, and building sealing measures aimed to reduce the interior noise levels in eligible homes that lie within the NEM.
The current Total Budget: $3 Million ($2.4M from FAA grants and $600K from SFO funding).
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.
EEI improvements consist of replacing existing windows and doors with acoustically rated noise-insulating windows and doors, an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) installation and associated electrical work (if applicable), and building sealing measures aimed to reduce the interior noise levels in homes that lie within the 65-dB contour of the current NEM.
The current Scope of Work: Treatment of 80-95 eligible homes which were previously treated prior to December 31, 1992.
The current Total Budget: $12 Million ($9.6M from FAA grants and $2.4M from SFO funding).
The initiative has the potential to improve:
- Prime windows with or without storm windows.
- Prime sliding glass doors with or without storm doors.
- Prime exterior doors with or without storm doors.
Repair or 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.
The current Scope of Work: Insulation upgrades to 45-50 eligible homes per year. The current Total Budget: $1M per Year.
The initiative has the potential to improve:
- Prime windows with or without storm windows.
- Prime sliding glass doors with or without storm doors.
- Prime exterior doors with or without storm doors.
Please note that the RRI is not currently accepting new applications. RRI eligibility for the current round of construction is full, so we cannot accept new applications at this time. Please check back from time to time to find out when this Initiative will begin accepting new applications.
To be eligible for the Replacement Initiative your address must fall within the qualifying 65-dB noise contour. In addition:
- Your home received prior acoustical improvements in a previous phase of the NIP.
- The improvements received to doors and windows are no longer functioning or were improperly manufactured/installed.
Prior NIP treatments that have failed due to neglect, lack of maintenance, improper handling, or accidental causes are not eligible.
Potentially eligible properties will be subject to site inspection to determine the extent of repairs or replacements required.
Latest Update March 1, 2023
If you submitted an application for the Repair or Replacement Initiative (RRI) prior to October 31, 2021, this update is for you.
The RRI has been moving along slowly but we are making progress. The Covid-19 lockdown put a damper on worldwide efforts, including SFO’s NIP. Since SFO fully funds the RRI, the lack of travelers during the lockdowns hit SFO’s revenue flow. Material costs substantially increased, and supply chain issues continue to be an issue. Since SFO has a fixed annual budget for the RRI, these factors have limited the number of homes we can repair annually. The RRI continues to operate on a first-come-first-served basis.
Due to the passing of time since we initially inspected homes, there will be another inspection prior to your review of the Design Treatment Recommendations to ensure what was found during the initial inspections remains valid.
Also, we have a number of properties in the queue to be inspected so that Design Treatment Recommendations can be suggested and repairs or replacements made. We anticipate such inspections will resume after the queue of homes currently ready for repairs is near completion.
In the meantime, we will endeavor to update this site more frequently. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call the Noise Insulation Program (NIP) office at 650-821-4737, or email us at NIP@flysfo.com.
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