Sound-based fire suppression startup raises $15M
Ohio-based Sonic Fire Tech has raised $15 million to develop a fire suppression system powered by inaudible sound waves that it says extinguishes fires within seconds without leaving water or chemical damage. The funding will support hiring and testing needed for regulatory approval.
Sonic Fire Tech, a startup based in Ohio, is developing a fire protection system that relies on inaudible sound waves instead of traditional water or chemical suppressants. The company announced Monday it has closed a $15 million funding round led by The O.H.I.O. Fund, with participation from Khosla Ventures. This follows a $3.5 million seed round the company raised in October.
The new capital will be used to expand the team and fund the extensive testing required to gain approval from the National Fire Protection Association, whose model codes are adopted by fire departments nationwide. Such approval usually takes about three years, but co-founder and CEO Geoff Bruder expects the process to move significantly faster for his company, partly because the system leaves no residue after use, which should speed up lab testing.
How the technology works
The system pumps infrasonic sound waves, around 20 Hz, through PVC pipes installed in ceilings using a sound generator. When sensors detect a fire in a room, the generator activates and directs sound waves at the flames. According to COO Remington Bixby Hotchkis, the system responds within seconds and is less prone to triggering on false alarms.
That fast response could limit damage before it becomes severe, drawing interest from insurers — the company is currently discussing with insurance providers whether installations could qualify for premium discounts. The technology has also shown promise in containing lithium-ion battery fires, though it has not yet fully extinguished them in tests.
Sonic Fire Tech is developing systems for commercial kitchens, building interiors and homes, covering both new construction and retrofits. It is also working on an exterior protection system for homes in wildfire-prone areas, though that effort has progressed more slowly due to limited access to suitable testing facilities.
