Aircraft Noise and Sound Insulation Fred Pierson Navy East Coast AICUZ Center of Excellence

RESULTS Reduced take-off weights Quiet hours Flight track changes Reduction in operations Litigation Loss of flying mission

Air Installations Compatible Use Zones

The AICUZ Program Defines Noise Zones Accident Potential Zones Recommends Land Use Guidelines

The AICUZ Program AICUZ is non-binding Land use control is the responsibility of local, regional and state governments Building codes w/proper NLR reduces noise impact

What are the benefits of Sound Insulation? Reduces Speech interference Sleep disturbance It’s energy efficient Reduces air infiltration Higher “R” value What are the benefits of sound insulation? First, it is energy efficient, reducing heating and cooling costs. Sound insulation also reduces interference with speech and reduces sleep interference. The goal of sound insulation is to reduce the interior noise to at least 45 decibels. Consequently, if a home is in the 75 DNL noise contour of an airport, 30 decibels of sound insulation would be required to bring the interior noise down to 45 decibels.

Aircraft Noise and Sound Insulation Concerns go back to 1960’s 1967-Development of Sound Insulation methods for use around LAX 1971-Noise Control Act Late 1980’s-DOD and FAA prepared Sound Insulation Guide 1992- Publication DOT/FAA/PP 92-5

New Sound Insulation Guidelines 2005- Navy sponsored update Serves as a guide for NLR in residential buildings Covers Building materials and cost New and existing construction The Navy has recently produced a book on sound Insulation Guidelines for residences. This book is downloadable at the email address on the slide. Further information is also available from Mr. Fred Pierson at the Navy’s AICUZ Center of Excellence, at (757) 322-4935. A brochure on sound insulation is also available.

Mitigating Aircraft Noise Aircraft noise can be disturbing Sound insulation is not Sound elimination DNL and the Noise Exposure Zones

DNL DAY-NIGHT AVERAGE SOUND LEVEL 24-hour Average Sound Level with a weighting factor for night operations Often used for environmental noise, especially aircraft noise in the U.S. EPA and FAA established an interior goal of 45 DNL

Noise Zones v. Contours <65 DNL 65-69 DNL 70-74 dB DNL

Changes in Noise Environment Changes in NOISE SYSTEM Mitigation Changes in Noise Environment result from Changes in NOISE SYSTEM SOURCE PATH RECEIVER

Sound Insulation Sources of Noise Paths Gaps and Cracks Windows and Doors Walls and Ceilings Fireplaces Air Conditioners Exhaust fans Ventilation All building elements must work together in a balanced manner to reduce noise intrusion Houses provide paths for noise to enter. These paths include windows, doors, walls, ceilings, fireplaces, in-wall air conditioners, exhaust fans, and windows left open for ventilation. Each of these paths must be addressed if a significant noise level reduction is to be achieved.

Costs Depends on noise zone—the higher the noise level, the greater the cost Average cost to insulate an existing home near an airport $10K-$50K. Most modern construction already reduces interior noise by about 20-25 dB New home sound insulation is less So, what are the costs? Costs will vary with the noise zone—the higher the noise zone the more sound insulation is required. While the average cost to insulate an existing home 25-35 dB is $15,00 to $45,000, in reality, good construction techniques may already provide 20-25 decibels of sound insulation. The cost of insulation is even less with new construction because it does not require the cost of retrofitting. (NOTE—IT WOULD BE WORTH POINTING OUT THAT THE VERY HIGH NOISE CONTOURS COVER LITTLE LAND OFF-STATION]

Model Building Code Appendix D, “Noise level reduction Design Requirements” For NLR of 25 dB (65-70 DNL) 30 dB (70-75 DNL) 35 dB (75-80 DNL) Adaptable for: Commercial structures Civil Airports

68 dB + 3 dB = 71 dB DNL 25 dB (65-70 DNL) 30 dB (70-75 DNL)

Questions?