About 500 hard-of-hearing homeowners and 300 renters in the flight path of the airport will be relieved to read about new windows doors air conditioning typhoon shutters and wiring thanks to a federal grant to soundproof their homes.
Jesse Q. Torres executive manager of the Guam International Airport spoke to a monthly luncheon meeting of Guam Contractors’ Association members on June 16 and told them the airport is moving forward with the implementation of the Noise Compatibility Program approved by federal authorities more than 18 months ago.
On Nov. 15 2003 the Federal Aviation Administration approved the airport’s Noise Compatibility Program.
The program could offer soundproofing and improvements to approximately 500 homes and 300 multifamily dwellings.
The FAA’s FAR Part 150 NCP is designed to take these homes and apartments and reduce decibel noise levels from 60 65 and 75 inside the buildings down to 45 decibels. The airport proposes to do this through a “Residential Sound Insulation Program.”
Torres said the airport is currently working on the pilot phase of the program. He said the pilot phase will take 30 “non-compatible” homes and retrofit or renovate them to meet FAA DNL level standards. According to Torres the pilot phase will be used to help fine-tune the full-scale program. The invitation to bid will go out at the end of June.
Typical treatments could include replacing windows replacing exterior doors caulking and sealing areas of noise penetration changing the ventilation system or providing air conditioning units and possibly improving the electrical system. Acoustic windows with a rating of 37 to 44 acoustically rated prime doors with steel or fiberglass foam core and a rating of 32 to 43 are also planned. Specialty items are also part of the proposed renovations and retrofitting to include French and sliding doors energy-recovery ventilators and typhoon-shutter systems. A demonstration home exists and is located at 111 East Sunset Boulevard in Tiyan.
Paul E.R. Packbier president of PCR Environmental Inc. and a consultant to the airport said the cost to make the necessary improvements to one home ranged from $40 000 to $80 000.
Torres said “We’re not talking about building a mansion. I just want to be clear about that. We just want to make non-compatible homes compatible with the FAA’s FAR Part 150 NCP.”
The full-scale program bid and award process starts out with bid packages of 50 homes and a lump sum bid by house with contingency unit price items an advertisement pre-bid meeting bid opening and evaluation (lowest responsible/responsive bidder non-procurement list and FAA review) notice of intent to award preliminary notice to proceed and then the notice to proceed.
FAA and Department of Transportation compliance requirements include providing the prevailing wage bonding insurance liquidated damages reporting documentation warranty and a grant closeout.
Reporting and review requirements include weekly construction meetings progress reviews contract days charged anticipated progress issues that impede progress schedule review home-by-home review and weekly FAA reports. MBJ
