Mechanical and Electrical Design for 55 Homes in SFO Noise Insulation Program - South San Francisco, CA
Category: Single-Family Residential
Overall Area: Varies by Residence
Services Provided: Mechanical, Electrical
Completion Date: 2024
Owner: San Francisco International Airport
Architect: CSDA Design Group
Project Description
Lead:
As part of the San Francisco International Airport's Noise Insulation Program (NIP), this project aimed to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on nearby residential communities. The upgrades focused on enhancing indoor air quality and comfort while maintaining the sound-attenuating performance of the homes' building envelopes.
Contribution:
Pragmatic Professional Engineers provided mechanical and electrical design services for 55 single-family homes in San Mateo County. Our work enabled the integration of Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and continuous bathroom exhaust fans—ventilation improvements that support healthy, well-ventilated environments without compromising acoustical integrity.
Challenges & Solutions:
Each home presented distinct existing conditions, requiring site-specific planning and flexible system design. Our team conducted field visits to verify layouts and installation zones, and coordinated closely with architects and contractors to incorporate access, maintenance, and clash detection details. On the electrical side, many homes required panel replacements or modifications to meet PG&E and NEC code, including accommodations for knob-and-tube wiring. We performed detailed load calculations to ensure code compliance and safe operation.
Results & Impact:
The coordinated designs provided by Pragmatic PE enabled consistent, efficient installation of ventilation and electrical upgrades across 55 homes. Residents now benefit from quieter, better-ventilated homes that meet program standards—without disruptions to their daily lives. Our proactive design approach ensured code compliance, installation feasibility, and enhanced indoor comfort for noise-affected communities.