Fire Protection Startup Harnessing Sound Technology Secures $15 Million to Tackle Catastrophic Fires

For over a century, fire protection has mainly depended on water and chemical agents. While these conventional methods can prevent catastrophic fires, the cleanup costs associated with them can be significantly high.

That situation might soon shift. Sonic Fire Tech is working on a sound-based fire protection system designed to extinguish fires almost instantly while avoiding the complicated aftermath of water and chemical damage. On Monday, the company announced it has secured $15 million in funding, primarily from The O.H.I.O. Fund, along with additional backing from Khosla Ventures. Previously, the startup had raised $3.5 million in a seed round last October.

This new funding will allow the Ohio-based company to grow its team and undertake the extensive testing necessary to receive approval from the National Fire Protection Association, which develops model codes utilized by fire departments across the country.

While the approval process typically spans around three years, co-founder and CEO Geoff Bruder told TechCrunch that Sonic Fire Tech’s timeline might be “significantly shorter.”

Bruder’s optimism is partly attributed to the unique advantages of Sonic Fire Tech’s system: it doesn’t require messy cleanup after extinguishing a fire, potentially speeding up the approval process. Testing is usually performed in laboratories, which requires significant preparation; however, with Sonic Fire Tech’s solution, “they don’t have to do cleanup,” he noted.

This efficiency in testing environments could be advantageous for practical applications. For example, commercial kitchens often face lengthy restoration and cleanup periods after a fire, with nearly 75% of them not reopening, as highlighted by Remington Bixby Hotchkis, COO of Sonic Fire Tech, during his discussions with TechCrunch.

Sonic Fire Tech’s groundbreaking fire suppression system incorporates a sound generator that emits inaudible frequencies through PVC tubing installed in the ceiling. When sensors detect a fire, the generator activates, emitting infrasonic waves around 20 Hz to target the flames.

“We are the only technology that produces its own suppressant without any collateral damage. False alarms are less of a concern for us,” Hotchkis remarked. “We can deploy within seconds.”

Such swift response times could significantly reduce fire damage, capturing the attention of the insurance industry. The startup is currently discussing with insurers whether their system could qualify for premium discounts, possibly accelerating the adoption of their technology.

The system also exhibits promise in tackling lithium-ion battery fires, which are notoriously challenging to extinguish. In initial tests, Bruder noted, “we don’t fully extinguish a lithium-ion fire, but we contain it.” He added, “If we can prevent the outer casing from igniting, we may be able to minimize cell-to-cell fire spread and limit the overall fire size.”

Sonic Fire Tech is creating systems intended to safeguard the interiors of commercial buildings, kitchens, and homes, suitable for both new constructions and renovations. The company is also developing a solution aimed at protecting residences in wildfire-prone regions, although progress on this project has been slower as they await time at a suitable testing laboratory.

In addition to enabling quicker fire suppression, Sonic Fire Tech’s system could also lower restoration costs if required.

Currently, around 500 jurisdictions mandate indoor fire protection systems. Bruder emphasizes that 50% of home fires start in kitchens, whether due to grease or electrical issues. Even a compact Sonic Fire Tech system tailored for kitchen settings could significantly reduce the risk of devastating house fires and possibly help decrease insurance premiums. “The sprinklers currently in place are inadequate for managing these kinds of fires,” Bruder confirmed.