Sound-Powered Fire Protection Startup Gets $15M to Revolutionize Fire Suppression

For over a century, fire protection has been limited to water and chemicals. While these methods can prevent catastrophic fires, they often come with significant cleanup bills.

Sonic Fire Tech, an Ohio-based startup, is working to change this with its innovative sound-powered fire protection system. This system uses a sound generator to pump inaudible sound through PVC pipes in the ceiling, which, when sensors detect a fire, bombard the flames with infrasonic waves around 20 Hz.

The company announced that it has raised a $15 million round led by The O.H.I.O. Fund with participation from Khosla Ventures. This fresh funding will help Sonic Fire Tech hire more employees and run the necessary tests to earn approval from the National Fire Protection Association.

Quicker Fire Suppression and Reduced Cleanup Costs

Approval from the National Fire Protection Association typically takes about three years. However, Sonic Fire Tech’s CEO Geoff Bruder is optimistic that their process will be significantly shorter than that.

This optimism stems from the fact that Sonic Fire Tech’s system doesn’t leave a mess after a fire suppression event, which should speed up the process. The tests are conducted in a lab, and preparation can take hours. With Sonic Fire Tech’s system, the cleanup process is eliminated, saving valuable time.

In the real world, this advantage could pay dividends. Commercial kitchens, for example, can face months of cleanup and restoration following a fire. In fact, 75% of them don’t reopen. Sonic Fire Tech’s acoustic fire suppression system is designed to prevent this kind of damage.

Impressive Test Results

Sonic Fire Tech’s acoustic fire suppression system has shown impressive results in tests. The system deploys within seconds, stopping fires before they cause significant damage. The startup is in talks with insurers about whether the system will qualify for premium discounts.

The insurance industry’s acceptance could speed the adoption of Sonic Fire Tech’s product. Additionally, the system has shown promise when applied to lithium-ion battery fires, which are among the most challenging to put out.

In the few tests Sonic Fire Tech has run so far, the system doesn’t put out a lithium-ion fire, but it contains it. If the company is able to keep the outer casing from lighting fire, it can potentially stop cell-to-cell spread and limit the size of the fire.

Sonic Fire Tech is working on systems to protect the interiors of commercial buildings, kitchens, and homes, both for new construction and retrofits. The company has also been working on a system to safeguard the exterior of homes in wildfire country.

Lowering Restoration Costs and Insurance Premiums

The Sonic Fire Tech system promises to lower restoration costs, if any are needed. Today, about 500 jurisdictions mandate interior fire protection systems. However, 50% of home fires start in the kitchen, whether they be grease or electrical fires.

Even a small Sonic Fire Tech system, focused on the kitchen, could go a long way to minimizing the risk of catastrophic house fires, lowering premiums in the process. Sprinklers that are currently being installed can’t handle these types of fires.