Fire Protection Startup Raises $15 Million to Harness Innovative Sound Technology in Fighting Destructive Fires

For over a century, fire safety has predominantly depended on water and chemical approaches. Though these traditional methods are effective at preventing large fires, they often come with considerable cleanup expenses.

Yet, this paradigm is poised for change. Sonic Fire Tech is pioneering an innovative sound-based fire protection system aimed at extinguishing flames almost immediately, while sidestepping the intricate cleanup challenges associated with water and chemical damage. On Monday, the company revealed it has successfully secured $15 million in funding, chiefly from The O.H.I.O. Fund, alongside additional support from Khosla Ventures. Previously, the startup obtained $3.5 million in seed funding last October.

This latest funding round will enable the Ohio-based company to grow its team and conduct crucial testing necessary for approval from the National Fire Protection Association, which sets the standard codes utilized by fire departments across the country.

While the typical approval timeline spans about three years, co-founder and CEO Geoff Bruder informed TechCrunch that Sonic Fire Tech’s duration could be “substantially shorter.”

Bruder’s enthusiasm is in part due to the unique advantages of Sonic Fire Tech’s system: it avoids the messy cleanup associated with fire suppression, potentially accelerating the approval process. Unlike conventional testing that necessitates complicated arrangements, Bruder emphasized that with Sonic Fire Tech’s approach, “there’s no need for cleanup.”

This efficacy in testing might be advantageous for practical use. For example, commercial kitchens often face lengthy restoration and cleanup periods following a fire, with nearly 75% failing to reopen, as highlighted by Remington Bixby Hotchkis, COO of Sonic Fire Tech, in conversations with TechCrunch.

Sonic Fire Tech’s cutting-edge fire suppression system utilizes a sound generator that emits inaudible frequencies through PVC tubing installed in the ceiling. When flames are detected by sensors, the generator activates and generates infrasonic waves around 20 Hz directed at the fire.

“We are the only technology that creates its own suppressant without causing collateral damage. False alarms are less of a concern for us,” Hotchkis noted. “We can deploy in seconds.”

This swift response capability could significantly reduce fire damage and has drawn interest from the insurance sector. The startup is currently collaborating with insurers to evaluate if their system could qualify for premium discounts, which could accelerate the technology’s adoption.

The system also shows promise in battling fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, known to be particularly difficult to control. In initial trials, Bruder remarked, “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 limit the fire’s spread between cells and reduce the overall fire size.”

Sonic Fire Tech is developing systems designed to protect the interiors of commercial buildings, kitchens, and homes, suitable for both new constructions and renovations. The company is also working on a solution aimed at safeguarding residences in wildfire-prone regions, although progress on this project has been hindered by challenges in securing an appropriate testing facility.

In addition to facilitating faster fire suppression, Sonic Fire Tech’s system could also contribute to lower restoration costs when needed.

Currently, around 500 jurisdictions mandate indoor fire protection systems. Bruder points out that 50% of residential fires start in kitchens, frequently due to grease or electrical problems. Even a compact Sonic Fire Tech system specifically designed for kitchen environments could significantly diminish the risk of devastating house fires and potentially lead to reduced insurance premiums. “Current sprinklers are inadequate for addressing these types of fires,” Bruder stressed.