A startup company, Sonic Fire Tech, is developing a system that uses infrasound waves to extinguish fires, aiming to replace traditional sprinkler systems. The technology works by vibrating oxygen molecules away from a fire's fuel source, thereby disrupting combustion. A recent demonstration in Concord, California, showed the system extinguishing a small kitchen fire.
Geoff Bruder, co-founder and CEO of Sonic Fire Tech, stated that the company has developed a method to distribute infrasound through ducting, similar to a sprinkler system. The company intends to commercialize this technology for both residential and commercial applications, including data centers where water damage from sprinklers is a concern. Sonic Fire Tech also envisions a backpack-based system for wildland firefighters.
However, fire protection experts have expressed skepticism about the technology's ability to fully replace conventional sprinklers. Nate Wittasek, a fire protection engineer, noted that while sound might suppress a small flame, it does not cool hot surfaces or wet fuel. This raises concerns about potential re-ignition, smoldering fires, and fires obscured by objects.
Traditional water sprinklers have a long history and are governed by well-established standards, such as the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) 13D standard. Sprinklers cool the space, slow flashover, and provide occupants with time to evacuate. Sonic Fire Tech claims its system activates in milliseconds and avoids water damage, contrasting with sprinklers that activate after a heat threshold is met.
Stefan Pollack, a spokesperson for Sonic Fire Tech, stated that the system is intended to replace interior residential sprinklers. The company highlights the system's effectiveness in kitchen fires, which account for a significant portion of residential fires. Despite these claims, the broader applicability and efficacy of infrasound in diverse fire scenarios, particularly large or uncontrolled blazes, remain a subject of expert debate.
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