Sonic Fire Tech showcased its AI-driven infrasound system extinguishing a kitchen fire during a demonstration in Concord, California. The technology aims to replace traditional water sprinklers by vibrating oxygen away from flames without causing water damage. Fire officials and experts attended, expressing cautious interest amid ongoing questions about its effectiveness.
In a demonstration kitchen in Concord, California, cooking oil ignited on a gas stove, triggering a smoke detector. Wall emitters then blasted infrasound waves, extinguishing the fire within seconds. The event on May 2 drew firefighters from Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE officials, and journalists, as witnessed by attendees including Ars Technica reporters. Sonic Fire Tech positions the system as a sprinkler alternative for homes and commercial spaces like data centers, where water could harm electronics. Sprinklers are mandatory in California homes built since 2011, but they often cause significant water damage. “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. The company also eyes backpack versions for wildland firefighters and has toured Southern California, with this marking its first northern event. Company spokesperson Stefan Pollack stated the system deploys in milliseconds with no water or chemicals, targeting kitchen fires that comprise half of residential incidents. However, experts voiced skepticism. Fire protection engineer Nate Wittasek questioned its ability to cool surfaces or prevent re-ignition, unlike sprinklers that reduce flashover risks. University of California, Berkeley professor Michael Gollner cited a 2018 paper noting acoustics' limits beyond early flames and stressed the need for extensive testing matching NFPA 13D standards. Sonic Fire Tech shared an executive summary from Fire Solutions Group claiming rapid suppression, but full details remain confidential. NFPA's Jonathan Hart noted equivalency requires authority approval and technical submission. Contra Costa's Deputy Fire Chief Tracie Dutter said the district is open to testing on bulldozers to assess limitations, without endorsing the product.
