Infrasound waves stop kitchen fires, but can they replace sprinklers?
Sonic Fire Tech demonstrated an infrasound-based fire suppression system in Concord, California, aiming to replace traditional sprinklers in homes and commercial spaces. The technology uses low-frequency sound waves to disrupt combustion by vibrating oxygen away from flames, successfully extinguishing a small kitchen fire during the demo. While the company claims advantages like no water damage and rapid deployment, fire safety experts express skepticism about its effectiveness in preventing re-ignition and handling larger, uncontrolled fires.
- ▪Sonic Fire Tech demonstrated an infrasound system that extinguished a kitchen fire by disrupting combustion with low-frequency sound waves.
- ▪The company aims to replace traditional sprinklers in residential and commercial settings, including data centers and wildland firefighting operations.
- ▪Fire protection experts question the technology's ability to cool hot surfaces, prevent re-ignition, and function effectively in large or hidden fires.
- ▪Traditional sprinklers apply water to cool fuel and slow flashover, whereas infrasound does not provide thermal cooling or moisture to prevent smoldering.
- ▪Sonic Fire Tech plans to commercialize its system for home use and develop a portable version for wildland firefighters.
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INFRASONICS Infrasound waves stop kitchen fires, but can they replace sprinklers? Acoustic fire suppression goes commercial. Cyrus Farivar – May 2, 2026 7:30 am | 19 Credit: Getty Images Credit: Getty Images Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav In a makeshift demonstration kitchen in Concord, California, cooking oil splatters in and around a frying pan, which catches fire on an unattended gas stove. Within moments, a smoke detector wails. But in this demonstration, something less common happens: An AI-driven sensor activates and wall emitters blast infrasound waves toward the source of the fire in an attempt to put it out.
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