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

For over a century, fire safety has predominantly depended on water and chemical methods. Although these conventional techniques effectively handle large fires, they often incur considerable cleanup expenses.

Nonetheless, this paradigm is poised for a change. Sonic Fire Tech is pioneering the development of an innovative sound-based fire protection system aimed at extinguishing fires nearly instantaneously while sidestepping the intricate cleanup challenges associated with water and chemical methods. On Monday, the company revealed it had successfully secured $15 million in funding, mainly from The O.H.I.O. Fund, with additional investments from Khosla Ventures. Previously, last October, the startup raised $3.5 million in seed funding.

This recent funding round will enable the Ohio-based firm to expand its workforce and conduct vital testing essential for approval from the National Fire Protection Association, which sets the code standards used by fire departments across the country.

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

Bruder’s enthusiasm is partly due to the unique advantages of Sonic Fire Tech’s system: it removes the messy cleanup related to fire suppression, which may facilitate a faster approval process. Unlike traditional testing that necessitates complex arrangements, Bruder noted that with Sonic Fire Tech’s solution, “there’s no need for cleanup.”

This efficiency in testing may be beneficial for real-world scenarios. For example, commercial kitchens frequently face lengthy restoration and cleanup periods post-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 advanced fire suppression system utilizes a sound generator that emits inaudible frequencies through PVC tubing installed in the ceiling. Upon detecting flames via sensors, the generator activates and produces 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 much less of a concern for us,” Hotchkis stated. “We can deploy in seconds.”

This swift response capability could significantly reduce fire damage and has attracted interest from the insurance sector. The startup is currently collaborating with insurers to assess whether their system could qualify for premium reductions, potentially accelerating the technology’s adoption.

The system also shows promise in addressing fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which are notoriously challenging to manage. In initial tests, Bruder mentioned, “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 confine the fire’s spread between cells and reduce the overall fire size.”

Sonic Fire Tech is creating systems aimed at safeguarding the interiors of commercial buildings, kitchens, and residences, suitable for both new constructions and renovations. The company is also developing a solution intended to protect homes in areas prone to wildfires, although progress on this initiative has encountered delays due to difficulties in securing a suitable testing facility.

Besides facilitating quicker fire suppression, Sonic Fire Tech’s system could also contribute to lowering restoration costs when necessary.

Currently, approximately 500 jurisdictions mandate indoor fire protection systems. Bruder points out that 50% of residential fires originate in kitchens, often due to grease or electrical issues. Even a compact Sonic Fire Tech system tailored specifically for kitchen environments could considerably diminish the risk of catastrophic house fires and potentially lead to reduced insurance premiums. “Conventional sprinklers are ineffective in addressing these kinds of fires,” Bruder stressed.