{
  "id": 20171573,
  "title": "No water required —the new way to fight fires is with sound waves",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/no-water-required-the-new-way-to-fight-fires-is-with-sound-waves",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-15T12:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/science/engineering/forget-water-sprinklers-this-infra-sonic-firefighting-system-from-former-nasa-engineers-promises-to-kill-blazes-using-just-sound-waves"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fires are traditionally handled using sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers in homes and larger buildings. However, Sonic Fire Tech, an Ohio-based company, is developing a unique fire-fighting system that employs sound waves instead of water or chemicals. This technology offers several advantages, including preventing people and properties from getting drenched during firefighting. In particular, sound waves can effectively tackle grease fires, which have become increasingly common.\n\nThe company's technology was developed by former NASA engineers and has already attracted $15 million in funding. But is this the next big thing in fire defenses? Let's explore how the technology works.\n\nSonic Fire Tech's system utilizes high-pressure infrasound waves, which are generated and transported through a dedicated network of pipes, similar to sprinkler or air conditioning systems. These sound waves are directed towards the source of the fire, where they cause oxygen molecules in the air to vibrate and move away rapidly, depriving the fire of the oxygen it needs to survive. This effectively puts out the fire without causing significant damage to furniture, electronics, or other valuable items.\n\nThe technology can be activated at the moment heat is detected, and false alarms do not pose any risk as the system ensures no damage is done. The Sonic Fire Tech system can reach distances of up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) and is currently undergoing certification testing, with the UL 300A protocol being one of the safety standards it aims to comply with. Additionally, a portable, backpack version of the system is in the works, potentially allowing firefighters to carry it with them when dealing with blazes.\n\nDespite its promising features, the technology still faces several challenges before it can be widely implemented. One major concern is scaling the system for larger fires across bigger areas. Another issue is that sound waves alone do not cool hot surfaces or wet fuel, raising questions about re-ignition, smoldering fires, hidden fires, and fires partially blocked by contents. Furthermore, experts like Michael Gollner, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of California, Berkeley, are skeptical about whether this new technology can outperform traditional sprinkler systems, which are already highly efficient.\n\nNevertheless, Sonic Fire Tech's CEO and co-founder, Geoff Bruder, brings a strong background in NASA, having worked on acoustic wave systems for spacecraft designed to land on Venus. This experience could prove invaluable in overcoming the challenges and making this innovative fire-fighting technology a reality.",
  "summary": "Sound wave suppression has numerous benefits over traditional firefighting methods, though challenges remain.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}