At a demonstration in Concord, California, a startup called Sonic Fire Tech presented an innovative fire suppression system.
The system uses infrasound waves activated by sensors to put out a kitchen fire, demonstrating its effectiveness in a hot oil cooking environment.
The science behind acoustic suppression is based on vibrating oxygen molecules, thereby depriving the fire of an essential component for combustion. The flames extinguish in just a few seconds.
According to Geoff Bruder, co-founder and CEO of Sonic Fire Tech, their goal is to offer an alternative to traditional water sprinklers. Sprinklers are effective, but they can cause considerable property damage due to excess water.
The company aims to bring this technique to commercial facilities, such as data centers, and also for residential use in California. Furthermore, they hope to develop a portable system that firefighters in wildland areas can carry with them.
Although the technology promises significant advancements, the expert community remains cautious about whether sound waves are sufficient to completely replace current sprinklers.