Startup Specializing in Fire Protection Secures $15 Million to Harness Advanced Sound Technology for Fighting Destructive Fires

For over a century, fire safety protocols have predominantly depended on water and chemical solutions. While these conventional methods effectively tackle significant fires, they can incur high cleanup expenses.

Nevertheless, this paradigm is shifting. Sonic Fire Tech is pioneering a groundbreaking sound-based fire protection system aimed at extinguishing fires almost instantaneously while sidestepping the complicated cleanup issues typical of water and chemical approaches. On Monday, the company announced it secured $15 million in funding, mainly from The O.H.I.O. Fund, along with additional investments from Khosla Ventures. Last October, the startup had previously raised $3.5 million in seed funding.

This new funding will enable the Ohio-based company to expand its team and conduct necessary testing for approval from the National Fire Protection Association, which sets code standards for fire departments across the country.

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

Bruder’s optimism is partly based on the unique advantages of Sonic Fire Tech’s system: it mitigates the messy cleanup associated with fire suppression, potentially accelerating the approval process. Unlike traditional evaluations that require complex setups, Bruder remarked, “there’s no need for cleanup” with Sonic Fire Tech’s solution.

This efficiency in testing may have practical repercussions. For example, commercial kitchens often face prolonged restoration and cleanup periods after a fire, with nearly 75% failing to reopen, as highlighted by Remington Bixby Hotchkis, COO of Sonic Fire Tech, during conversations with TechCrunch.

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

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

This quick response capability could significantly reduce fire damage and has captured the attention of the insurance industry. The startup is currently collaborating with insurers to explore if their system could qualify for premium discounts, potentially accelerating the acceptance of the technology.

The system also seems effective at managing fires ignited by lithium-ion batteries, which are notoriously challenging to extinguish. In initial tests, Bruder observed, “we don’t fully 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 spread of the fire between cells and lessen the overall fire size.”

Sonic Fire Tech is developing systems targeted at protecting the interiors of commercial buildings, kitchens, and homes, suitable for both new constructions and renovations. The company is also working on a solution designed to protect homes in wildfire-prone regions, although this initiative has encountered delays due to difficulties in securing an appropriate testing facility.

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

Currently, about 500 jurisdictions mandate indoor fire protection systems. Bruder points out that 50% of residential fires originate in kitchens, typically due to grease or electrical issues. Even a compact Sonic Fire Tech system designed specifically for kitchen settings could significantly lower the risk of catastrophic house fires and potentially lead to reduced insurance premiums. “Traditional sprinklers are inadequate for handling these types of fires,” Bruder stressed.