Sonic Fire Tech has raised $15 million to continue developing a fire suppression system that uses low-frequency sound instead of water or chemicals. The Ohio-based startup says its technology can respond to fires within seconds while avoiding the water and chemical damage associated with conventional suppression systems.
The round was led by The O.H.I.O. Fund with participation from Khosla Ventures and follows a $3.5 million seed round raised in October 2025. The company plans to use the new funding to hire more employees and conduct testing needed for approval under fire protection standards.
The System Uses Infrasonic Waves to Suppress Flames
Sonic Fire Tech’s system sends inaudible sound through PVC pipes installed in ceilings. When sensors detect a fire, a generator produces infrasonic waves at around 20 Hz and directs them toward the flames.
Remington Bixby Hotchkis, the company’s chief commercialization officer, said the system activates within seconds and does not create the same collateral damage as water or chemical suppressants. The company sees that characteristic as particularly useful for commercial kitchens, where Hotchkis said about 75% of businesses affected by fires do not reopen.
Sonic Fire Tech is also testing the technology on lithium-ion battery fires. CEO and co-founder Geoff Bruder said early tests have not extinguished lithium-ion fires completely, but the system has contained them and could potentially reduce cell-to-cell spread.
The company is developing systems for commercial buildings, kitchens and homes, covering both new construction and retrofits. It is also working on an exterior system for homes in wildfire-prone areas, although testing has progressed more slowly while it waits for access to a suitable laboratory.
New Funding Will Support Testing and Certification
The fresh capital will support testing required as Sonic Fire Tech works toward approval under standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association. That process typically takes about three years, although Bruder expects Sonic Fire Tech’s testing period to be significantly shorter.
One reason is the lack of cleanup after each suppression test. Conventional testing can require hours of preparation and cleanup after water or chemicals are discharged, while Sonic Fire Tech’s system leaves no comparable residue.
The company is also discussing its technology with insurers to determine whether installations could qualify property owners for premium discounts. Faster suppression and lower restoration costs could factor into those discussions.
Sonic Fire Tech highlighted the $15 million funding and its sound-powered system on its website. About 500 jurisdictions currently require interior fire protection systems, while Bruder said roughly half of residential fires begin in kitchens, including grease and electrical fires.
Featured image credits: Magnific.com
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