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“I would like to see a full inspection that includes household fires such as furniture and mattress fires, cooking fires, electrical fires, roof or outdoor lighting,” he added. “It should also cover things like open and closed doors, different roof heights, storms, fuel leaks, and if the fire returns after the system is turned off.”
Similarly, Michael Gollnera professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and a fire expert, told Ars that there is not enough information to show that this technology works better than sprinklers.
He pointed to a 2018 academic paper.
In contrast, “Fire extinguishers are rigorously tested and certified by standards developed by the fire safety community over the years,” he emailed to Ars. “I think that these products need to show the same or better performance in a similar way before they can be considered to replace any existing protection. Although I strongly agree with the outside opinion, lives are at stake, and new technologies need to demonstrate performance and reliability before they can be used by the public.”
Dozer time
As for the Contra Costa County firefighters who took part in the protests, they are eager to see more. Deputy Fire Chief Tracie Dutter told Ars that the agency doesn’t advocate for specific products, but tries to understand what new technology can do.
“Sonic representatives indicated that they are exploring opportunities to partner with fire departments to test this technology on a bulldozer,” Dutter said.
“The District would be open to testing the system on one of our dozers,” Dutter added, “to understand what it can and can’t do.”
With new technology like this, firefighters also want to understand what “long-term maintenance requirements” are, whether “regular testing or calibration is required to ensure reliability,” and “how mechanical failures such as a malfunctioning recorder or sound generator are identified and reported to the owner.”
