Sonic Fire Tech debuts sound wave fire suppression system at Chula Vista trade show

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NASA-inspired sound wave technology aims to stop fires before they spread, using inaudible frequencies through HVAC systems as an alternative to sprinklers.

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A new fire suppression technology that uses sound waves instead of water made its debut Tuesday at a trade show in Chula Vista. Sonic Fire Tech unveiled the system as a potential alternative to traditional sprinkler systems, with the company targeting homes in wildfire-prone areas, including communities rebuilding after the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County.

The company's unique method uses inaudible low-frequency sound waves to disrupt the chemical reactions that fuel fires. Remington Hotchkis of Sonic Fire Tech explained, “We deploy a frequency of sound that's inaudible to the human ear but vibrates oxygen at a rate that breaks the chemical reaction of ignition." This process effectively deprives fires of the oxygen they need without removing oxygen from the surrounding environment, marking a “real paradigm shift in the fire suppression industry.”

The system is designed to cover homes up to 3,000 square feet, with capabilities to protect smaller spaces, such as two sound ducts that can effectively safeguard a 12-by-12-foot room. Hotchkis emphasized the technology’s potential for significant safety benefits, stating, “We're effectively starving it of the state of oxygen it needs to be in.”

Sonic Fire Tech touts this technology as developed by engineers with experience in NASA aerospace acoustics, aimed at providing protection comparable to traditional home sprinkler systems. Co-founder and CEO Geoff Bruder noted, “I worked on acoustics at NASA and had the know-how to reduce the operating frequency to where it was safe and then scale the efficiency and power to where it was a practical system."

As the first homes using this technology are constructed in Los Angeles County's Palisades fire rebuilding area, the company seeks national certification, which would allow them to expand into other states. Bruder stated, “Our first homes are permitted in L.A. County, but we need that national certification to take that to a broader audience."

Sonic Fire Tech is also in discussions with insurance providers to ensure the system qualifies for coverage, with costs comparable to traditional sprinkler systems. Bruder expressed pride in the technology’s potential impact, saying, “I was glad this niche technology I was working on for NASA was able to actually scale out and help a lot of people.”