In Concord, California, a startup called Sonic Fire Tech demonstrated a new approach to fire suppression: using infrasound waves to extinguish flames. The system uses AI-driven sensors to detect a fire and wall emitters that blast low-frequency sound waves, vibrating oxygen away from the fuel source.
Co-founder and CEO Geoff Bruder says the goal is to replace traditional water sprinklers, which can cause significant water damage. The company claims its system can deploy in milliseconds, using no water or chemicals.
But fire protection experts are skeptical. Nate Wittasek, a fire protection engineer, points out that sound doesn't cool hot surfaces or wet fuel, raising concerns about re-ignition. Professor Michael Gollner of UC Berkeley cited a 2018 study finding that acoustics alone are insufficient for flames beyond the incipient stage.
Sonic Fire Tech says it has secured third-party validation as an alternative to the NFPA 13D standard, but has not released full test results. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is open to testing the technology on a bulldozer.
The company also hopes to produce a backpack-based system for wildland firefighters.