Fire Protection Startup Raises $15 Million in Funding to Harness Innovative Sound Technology for Fighting Catastrophic Fires

For over a century, fire protection has primarily depended on water and chemical agents. While these conventional methods can prevent catastrophic fires, they often result in excessively high cleanup costs.

However, this landscape may be on the brink of change. Sonic Fire Tech is leading the way with an innovative sound-based fire protection system that aims to extinguish fires almost instantly while avoiding the complex cleanup issues associated with water and chemical damage. On Monday, the company announced it has successfully raised $15 million in funding, primarily from The O.H.I.O. Fund, alongside additional support from Khosla Ventures. Previously, the startup had garnered $3.5 million in seed funding last October.

This latest influx of funding will enable the Ohio-based company to grow its team and conduct essential testing needed to receive approval from the National Fire Protection Association, which establishes the model codes used by fire departments across the nation.

Although the typical approval process lasts around three years, co-founder and CEO Geoff Bruder shared with TechCrunch that Sonic Fire Tech’s timeline might be “considerably shorter.”

Bruder’s confidence is partly based on the unique benefits of Sonic Fire Tech’s system: it eliminates the messy cleanup following fire suppression, which could facilitate a quicker approval process. Unlike traditional testing methods that require extensive preparations, Bruder explained that with Sonic Fire Tech’s approach, “they don’t have to do cleanup.”

This efficacy in testing could prove advantageous for practical applications. For example, commercial kitchens frequently face prolonged restoration and cleanup periods after a fire, with nearly 75% never reopening, as highlighted by Remington Bixby Hotchkis, COO of Sonic Fire Tech, during his talks with TechCrunch.

Sonic Fire Tech’s advanced fire suppression system includes a sound generator that emits inaudible frequencies through PVC tubing installed in the ceiling. When flames are detected by sensors, the generator activates, releasing infrasonic waves at about 20 Hz aimed at the fire.

“We are the only technology that generates its own suppressant without causing collateral damage. False alarms are less concerning for us,” Hotchkis remarked. “We can deploy in seconds.”

Such quick response capabilities could significantly reduce fire damage, garnering interest from the insurance sector. The startup is currently collaborating with insurers to explore whether their system could qualify for premium discounts, which may accelerate the adoption of the technology.

The system also offers potential solutions for extinguishing fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, known for their difficulty to control. In preliminary tests, Bruder noted, “we don’t completely extinguish a lithium-ion fire, but we can contain it.” He added, “If we can prevent the outer casing from igniting, we could restrict cell-to-cell fire spread and diminish the overall fire size.”

Sonic Fire Tech is working on systems designed to protect the interiors of commercial buildings, kitchens, and homes, appropriate for both new constructions and renovations. The company is also developing a solution aimed at safeguarding residences in wildfire-prone areas, though progress on this initiative has been slower due to difficulties in accessing a suitable testing facility.

In addition to facilitating quicker fire suppression, Sonic Fire Tech’s system could also help reduce restoration costs when necessary.

Currently, approximately 500 jurisdictions mandate indoor fire protection systems. Bruder highlights that 50% of residential fires originate in kitchens, whether due to grease or electrical issues. Even a compact Sonic Fire Tech system designed specifically for kitchen environments could significantly lower the chances of destructive house fires and possibly contribute to reduced insurance premiums. “Current sprinklers are insufficient for tackling these types of fires,” Bruder affirmed.