<
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/05/startup-says-sound-waves-can-replace-fire-sprinklers-experts-arent-so-sure/>
"In a makeshift demonstration kitchen in Concord, California, cooking oil
splatters in and around a frying pan, which catches fire on an unattended gas
stove. Within moments, a smoke detector wails. But in this demonstration,
something less common happens: An AI-driven sensor activates and wall emitters
blast infrasound waves toward the source of the fire in an attempt to put it
out.
The science of acoustic fire suppression, which has long been known and
documented in scientific literature and the press, works by vibrating oxygen
molecules away from a fuel source, depriving the fire of a critical component
needed for combustion.
Indeed, after just a few seconds of infrasound, the tiny kitchen blaze goes
out.
The demonstration I witnessed took place in the presence of numerous
firefighters and officials from Contra Costa County Fire Protection District,
the state’s premier wildland firefighting agency (CAL FIRE), and invited
journalists.
“We were able to not just point-and-shoot like a fire extinguisher; we figured
out how to run it through ducting and distribute it like a sprinkler system,”
said Geoff Bruder, co-founder and CEO of Sonic Fire Tech, during the
presentation.
The company’s goal is to replace sprinklers, which are effective at stopping
fires but can also do significant water damage to a property. Sonic Fire Tech
appears to be the first company trying to commercialize the science of acoustic
fire suppression. Its executives have already been touring Southern California;
Wednesday’s event was the first in the northern half of the state.
The company aims to make this infrasound technique mainstream in both
commercial (for instance, a data center, where sprinklers would damage
electronics) and in-home installations, given that sprinklers are already
required in all new California homes built in 2011 and later.
Sonic Fire Tech also hopes to produce a backpack-based system that could be
worn by wildland firefighters headed out into the field."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
