NASA-inspired Fire Defense: Fighting fire with sound waves

Gayle Anderson learns about Sonic Fire Tech, a startup company founded by former NASA engineers, that uses a patented technology to extinguish wildfires using sound waves.

Company officials claim the technology is designed to prevent ignition before flames start, as well as provide damage free, waterless, chemical free protection for homes, infrastructure, and portable fire-fighting equipment for first responders.

According to the publication Scientific American, “Using sound waves to fight fire isn’t a brand-new concept. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency studied the method from 2008 to 2011, and academic researchers explored the technique over the next decade (including a George Mason University team that built an extinguisher similar to a subwoofer in 2015)…the challenge is to scale up the technology without creating disrupting or even damaging sound effects.”

Sonic Fire Tech claims it has resolved the challenge of disrupting and damaging sound effects by using infrasound. Previous efforts used sound waves in the range of 30 to 60 hertz, which can be produced with simpler equipment, Sonic stays at or below 20 hertz. These waves are inaudible to people, and they travel farther than higher-frequency waves.

According to Sonic Fire Tech, several homeowners, fire departments, and fire department related agencies have expressed an interest in using the technology along with existing firefighting equipment and mandated water-based sprinkler systems in new construction, with demo systems scheduled for March.

The company says several local fire chiefs are interested in testing the Sonic backpack. Sonic Fire Tech officials say many fire departments currently lack the budget to test their backpacks, so they are currently working with local nonprofits and fire-safe councils across Los Angeles County and statewide to fund and donate backpacks for testing, including one donor specifically interested in supporting downtown Los Angeles fire stations for homeless encampment fire response. Also happening, Sonic Fire Tech’s test pilot program with Pacific Gas and Electric and a partnership with PCI Builders (pci.builders) to put their system in more than 5,000 homes being rebuilt once the system is certified.

For more information about Sonic Tech, visit SonicFireTech.com.

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