CAN WE EXTINGUISH FIRES USING ACOUSTIC WAVES INSTEAD OF WATER?

CAN WE EXTINGUISH FIRES USING ACOUSTIC WAVES INSTEAD OF WATER?

Since the beginning of civilization, mankind has been extinguishing fires using water. Of course, we now have foam, powders, gases and other chemicals, but water remains one of our principal weapons against fire.

And now comes an interesting possibility: using sound waves to extinguish flames.

Why is that important?

Because water is becoming an increasingly precious commodity. During the 2024 El Niño, 131 Philippine LGUs declared a state of calamity, while some communities experienced serious water shortages. Can you imagine fighting a fire in the middle of a drought?

That would indeed be a case of double jeopardy.

Interestingly, this is not just science fiction. Research has already demonstrated that acoustic waves can extinguish flames by creating air movement and turbulence that destabilize the combustion process. Experiments have found effective suppression at low frequencies, including around 30–75 Hz, although the required acoustic pressure and conditions vary considerably.

And just recently, a 16-year-old Mexican student, Ángela Karime Venegas Hernández of CETIS 78 in Altamira, Tamaulipas, reportedly developed a prototype using a battery, frequency generator and speaker. Reports say she tested it more than 100 times and was able to extinguish several types of small flames. 

Now, before we get carried away, let us be realistic.

This does not mean that we should replace fire trucks with giant speakers tomorrow morning.

Acoustic suppression has limitations. It works particularly well with certain small, open flames, but sound does not provide the cooling effect of water. Large structural fires, deep-seated fires and wildfires are entirely different challenges.

Nevertheless, why shouldn't we study it?

Which government agency should lead?

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) seems like the obvious agency because it understands the practical requirements of firefighting. But surely the DOST should also be involved because this is fundamentally a science and engineering question.

And there is another question I would ask the BFP:

How much water will our firefighters need in the future—and where will that water come from?

In March 2026, for example, the Ilocos Norte Water District was already urging authorities to consider alternative water sources for firefighting because of water scarcity. In 2024, BFP personnel in Iloilo were likewise looking for alternative sources because even natural water sources were being depleted.

So perhaps the issue is not water versus sound.

Perhaps it is water plus sound, depending on the type of fire.

And if a 16-year-old Mexican student can experiment with acoustic fire suppression, why can't our own students do the same?

Maybe all they need is the right laboratory, the right mentor and somebody in government who will say:

“Let's try it.”

Who knows? The next Filipino invention that saves millions of liters of water may already be inside the mind of a student we have never heard of.

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres  iseneres@yahoo.com  senseneres.blogspot.com  09088877282/09-12-2027

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES?

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES? When we talk about the crime rate in the Philippines, we often assume that the figures we see are accurate reflections of reality. But have we ever paused to ask—how exactly is the crime rate computed? Where does this data come from, and how reliable is it? The computation of the crime rate in the Philippines is officially handled by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The formula itself is straightforward: Crime Rate = (Total Reported Crimes / Total Population) x 100,000 This simple equation gives us the number of crimes per 100,000 people, allowing for fair comparison across regions and time periods. However, the reality behind these numbers is more complex than it appears. Data from the Ground The foundation of our national crime rate is empirical data collected at the grassroots level—from individual police stations scattered across the country. Every reported crime is logged in local police blotters, forming the buil...
Read more

ARE GRAB DRIVERS EMPLOYEES OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS?

  A RE GRAB DRIVERS EMPLOYEES OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS? The question of whether Grab drivers are employees or independent contractors is becoming one of the most important labor issues in the modern “gig economy.” In the Philippines, the answer remains a legal gray area. I am not yet ready to take a firm position on this matter. Like many observers, I am still waiting for clearer laws and more definitive court rulings before making up my mind. On one hand, becoming employees could benefit Grab drivers. If they are formally classified as employees, they would automatically become members of government social protection systems such as the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. That means they could receive benefits like health insurance, retirement pensions, and housing loans. Of course, they would also have to pay their own contributions, but the long-term security might be worth it. On the other hand, formal employment might also impose stricter requirements. Dr...
Read more

Recommendation to Consolidate Key Disease Control Agencies

Recommendation to Consolidate Key Disease Control Agencies  His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr. President of the Republic of the Philippines Malacañang Palace Manila Subject: Recommendation to Consolidate Key Disease Control Agencies into a Unified Entity Under a DOH Undersecretary Dear Mr. President, In view of the possibilities that new pandemics could again break out in the future, I am writing to recommend the consolidation of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB), the Epidemiology Bureau (EB), and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) into a single, unified entity under the Department of Health (DOH), led by an Undersecretary who will report directly to the Secretary of Health. This recommendation is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Philippines’ public health and disease control efforts, aligning with global best practices such as the structure and powers of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C...
Read more