Streetlights That Fight Fire: 123Invent Unveils Lamppost Designed to Slow Flames

A new kind of streetlight aims to blunt fire’s reach

123Invent says it has built a streetlight called the LOS-620 that does more than light a road. The company’s inventors describe a lamppost with integrated fire-protection features: systems that can spray water around the pole, shield electrical components from heat, and help stop flames from climbing the structure. The announcement came in a company release this month and the pitch is simple — make a familiar piece of street furniture into an extra line of defense against urban and wildland fires.

How the LOS-620 is put together and how it is meant to work

The LOS-620 blends a standard lighting column with additional hardware. At its core is a hollow steel or composite pole that houses a small reservoir and a set of nozzles positioned near the base and mid-height. A heat-triggered valve or sensor network is said to release water from the reservoir to create a damp curtain around the pole when flames or extreme heat are detected. The lamppost also includes heat-resistant housings for wiring and the light fixture, and a quick-disconnect fuse arrangement intended to cut power before wires fail.

123Invent’s description suggests the water system is self-contained for short bursts and can be recharged by city crews. The pole reportedly uses common parts — pumps, pressure vessels and solenoid valves — that are adapted to the streetlight form factor. The company refers to patent filings for the mounting and nozzle arrangements but provides no full technical diagrams in its announcement. In plain terms: the idea is to slow fire spread at a specific point, cool vulnerable wiring, and keep a pole from becoming a chimney for flames.

Where the LOS-620 could make a practical difference

If it works as described, the LOS-620 could be useful in two main settings. First, in urban or suburban neighborhoods where a burning pole or electrical short can help fire jump from one spot to another. A short spray that cools connections and dampens nearby brush could reduce those risks. Second, along roadsides in fire-prone rural areas, a network of protected poles might create small, dampened corridors that slow fire spread during a wildfire’s advance.

The inventors say the lamppost is not meant to fight large fires on its own but to act as a local, preventive measure. They note testing in controlled burns and lab heat chambers, and describe the unit as intended for municipalities, utilities and private developers. In their words, the LOS-620 is a “first responder” accessory to existing fire-fighting strategies — a way to buy time and limit damage until firefighters arrive.

Commercial plans, potential buyers and how long deployment might take

123Invent positions itself as an engineering firm that develops safety features for public infrastructure. The company says it is open to licensing the LOS-620 design or selling finished units to city governments and utility companies. Early pitches are likely to go to local public works departments, electric utilities that manage streetlights, and private managers of large campuses or neighborhoods.

Real-world roll out would take time. Municipal procurement cycles, field testing requirements, and coordination with utilities can stretch from months to years. The company’s release mentions prototype demonstrations and small pilot projects as the next commercial steps, rather than a broad immediate launch.

What needs proof and the questions that matter next

The idea is straightforward, but several practical questions remain. How long can a self-contained water system operate before it needs refilling? Will the added systems survive corrosion, vandalism or extreme weather? Could sprinkling water near energized equipment create other hazards? Regulators and utilities will want independent test data showing the system helps more than it risks.

Cost will be key. Cities buy streetlights in large numbers, and an upgraded pole must justify a higher price by preventing real, measurable losses. Look for third-party test results, pilot project reports, and clarity on maintenance needs and failure modes. Those facts will decide whether the LOS-620 becomes a niche safety add-on or a feature that spreads across streets and highways.

Sources

• prnewswire.com