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The H-JAIA Noise Insulation Program (NIP) – an Overview

The City of Atlanta/Department of Aviation, owners and operators of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is undertaking a new Noise Insulation Program (NIP). The NIP is a voluntary program approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make noise-sensitive properties located in close proximity to airport boundaries compatible with aircraft noise. By providing an array of extensive acoustical treatments to an eligible property, interior noise levels can be greatly reduced, improving the quality of life for all occupants. The NIP will provide these treatments at no cost to the property owner.

What Properties Are Eligible to Participate in the NIP?

To be potentially eligible, properties must meet two criteria: (1) they must be located within the currently FAA-approved noise contours; and (2) they have not been treated in a previous NIP. The currently approved contours are those contained in the 2007 Noise Exposure Map (NEM). This NEM was developed using the most recent operations data to include aircraft flight paths, aircraft types, number of aircraft operations, times of operations, and runway assignments. Properties contained within the NEM boundaries are located within the cities of Atlanta, College Park, East Point, Forest Park, Hapeville, and Fulton and Clayton counties, and they encompass a wide variety of property types including single family, multi-family, schools, daycare, community centers, healthcare/retirement, churches, and fire stations.

What Are the NIP Noise Reduction Goals?

Noise enters a building by the infiltration of air through doors, windows, roof penetrations, and any opening connecting the interior living space of a building with the exterior. The goal of the NIP is to reduce the infiltration of the exterior noise into the interior living space by a minimum of five decibels.

What Types of Modifications Are Typically Provided to Eligible NIP Properties?

Given differences in property types, architectural design elements, and pre-existing conditions, the NIP modifications will be property-specific. Modifications may include some of the following treatments:

How Will the NIP Be Implemented?

The Department of Aviation(Department), with assistance from it's consultant THC, Inc., will implement the NIP. The NIP will follow THC's proven "Bid Cycle" methodology. A NIP Bid Cycle will contain all implementation activities required to acoustically treat eligible properties to include property owner orientation, property inspection survey, design survey, design development, bid process, product procurement, and construction. A Bid Cycle will contain individual Bid Packages, each containing designs and specifications for pre-assigned eligible properties.

Once program startup is completed, the Department will implement a Bid Cycle to assure that all processes provide maximum quality assurance. Upon completion, a new Bid Cycle will begin every four to six months. This Bid Cycle methodology will provide an efficient program implementation process where work is performed with maximum attention from the Department and THC. In addition, this Bid Cycle methodology will provide a NIP implementation pace that essentially eliminates work stoppage and maximizes both administration and construction cost efficiency.

How Will the NIP Be Administered?

The NIP will be implemented as a traditional "Design-Bid-Build" project, where the Department and THC, Inc. will be responsible for overall program management and design and the Department will be responsible for the bid and construction processes. Local subcontractors will contract with the Department's established Managing General Contractors to perform the construction services.