Startup claims infrasound waves can replace fire sprinklers
Concord-based firm argues its technology meets NFPA 13D standards, though fire safety experts question its ability to cool hot surfaces and prevent re-ignition in complex scenarios.
A startup based in Concord, California, has demonstrated an artificial intelligence-driven system capable of extinguishing a kitchen fire using infrasound waves, positioning the technology as a water-free alternative to traditional sprinklers. During a presentation attended by officials from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and journalists, the system activated upon detecting a grease fire on an unattended gas stove. Wall-mounted emitters then blasted inaudible low-frequency waves toward the fuel source, disrupting combustion chemistry and extinguishing the blaze within seconds.
Sonic Fire Tech asserts that its system is an NFPA 13D-equivalent alternative to conventional residential sprinklers, a status the company claims has been validated by Fire Solutions Group. Executives argue that while traditional sprinklers are effective, they carry significant risks of water damage to interiors and electronics and require complex plumbing infrastructure. In contrast, the startup's technology deploys in milliseconds, avoids the use of water or chemicals, and does not necessitate plumbing, making it potentially suitable for data centres and new residential builds in California where sprinklers are now mandatory.
Despite these claims, fire safety experts and engineers have expressed scepticism regarding the system's ability to cool hot surfaces and prevent re-ignition compared to water. Nate Wittasek, a Los Angeles-based fire protection engineer, noted that while sound may knock down a small flame, it does not wet fuel or cool the space, raising concerns about smouldering fires and hidden ignition points. Michael Gollner, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, echoed these concerns, citing academic research suggesting acoustics alone are insufficient to control flames beyond the incipient stage.
The company has secured third-party validation summaries stating the system delivers extremely rapid fire detection and consistent performance, though the full technical report was withheld due to confidentiality. Fire Solutions Group's executive summary concluded that additional testing and optimisation are recommended to further expand the range of validated applications. Jonathan Hart, NFPA Technical Lead, emphasised that equivalency to the 13D standard can only be approved by the appropriate authority having jurisdiction after technical documentation demonstrating such equivalency is submitted, a process Sonic Fire Tech has not yet publicly completed.
Looking beyond residential use, Sonic Fire Tech is exploring partnerships with fire departments to test the technology on bulldozers for potential application in wildland firefighting. The company also aims to produce a backpack-based system for wildland firefighters and plans to install the technology in data centres where water damage poses a critical risk. Deputy Fire Chief Tracie Dutter of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District indicated the district would be open to testing the system on one of their dozers to better understand its limitations and potential failure points.
While the demonstration showcased the potential of acoustic fire suppression, industry observers stress that new technologies must carefully demonstrate effectiveness and reliability before being entrusted to protect lives. Firefighters and engineers are calling for full-scale testing that includes typical residential fires, varying conditions, and scenarios involving obstructed fuel packages to verify the technology can perform reliably in uncontrolled environments without comprehensive data.
