Many of the UK’s leading fire and security groups have spent the last decade building national active fire platforms. Increasingly, the missing piece is passive fire protection.
As a result, businesses specialising in fire-stopping, compartmentation and fire doors are attracting growing interest from strategic acquirers and private equity-backed consolidators. What was once viewed as a specialist subcontracting discipline is now becoming a critical component of broader fire safety and compliance platforms.
For business owners, this shift is significant. Buyers are not simply looking for additional revenue. They are actively seeking technical capability, experienced teams and specialist expertise that can strengthen existing fire safety platforms and support future growth.
Regulation Is Supporting Long Term Growth
The growth story behind passive fire protection is closely linked to the UK’s evolving building safety framework.
The implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Higher-Risk Buildings regime has increased demand for compartmentation surveys, fire-stopping remediation, fire door inspections and external wall (PAS 9980) appraisals across the built environment.
Unlike many service sectors, passive fire protection benefits from demand driven by legislation and safety requirements rather than discretionary spending. Compliance remains essential and is less exposed to wider economic conditions[SP1] , creating resilient revenue streams and long-term visibility.
This has helped underpin strong market growth. The UK passive fire protection market is forecast to increase from approximately £947 million in 2024 to £1.18 billion by 2029, representing annual growth of around 4.5% Barbour ABI’s Passive Fire Protection Systems Market Report UK 2025–2029
Why Buyers Are Focusing on Passive Fire Capability
Historically, many fire and security consolidators concentrated on active fire services such as alarms, monitoring and maintenance. However, many have now reached a stage where they are looking to broaden their service offering.
Clients increasingly prefer providers that can support multiple compliance disciplines through a single relationship. This has made passive fire expertise an attractive addition to existing platforms.
According to Geoff Pinder, Partner at M Group Corporate Finance:
“We’re increasingly seeing larger fire and security groups looking beyond traditional alarm and maintenance businesses and focusing on passive fire capability. For many consolidators, it’s not simply about adding revenue. They’re acquiring specialist expertise that helps create a broader compliance offering for existing customers.”
As a result, passive fire specialists are being viewed as strategic assets[SP3] rather than simply operational suppliers.
Recent Acquisitions Highlight a Clear Trend
Recent transactions demonstrate the strength of buyer appetite.
In February 2026, Preventr used £6.2 million of a £10 million acquisition facility to acquire[SP4] Passive Fire Safety Solutions, a specialist provider of fire doors, compartmentation and fire stopping services. The transaction formed part of Preventr’s strategy to build a national passive fire capability.
Similarly, Ranger Fire & Security incorporated passive fire expertise into its platform through its acquisition of Ignis Fire Protection[SP5] in February 2024. It subsequently strengthened its position with the acquisition of MarkOne Safety Solutions in March 2026.
These transactions point to further consolidation ahead, with well-prepared passive fire specialists well placed to attract strong buyer interest.
What Buyers Are Looking For
Demand remains strong, but buyers continue to be selective.
The most attractive passive fire protection businesses typically demonstrate:
· Recurring inspection and maintenance revenues
· Strong technical reputation and delivery capability
· Industry-recognised accreditations and certifications
· Long-standing customer relationships
· Exposure to regulated and safety-critical sectors
· Experienced management teams
· Robust compliance processes and reporting
Partner Insight
Geoff Pinder notes that many owners underestimate the role strategic fit plays in acquisition decisions:
“One of the biggest misconceptions among business owners is that buyers focus solely on historic profitability. In reality, strategic acquirers are also assessing capability, accreditation, management strength and how a business complements their wider growth plans. Understanding that strategic value can often have a significant impact on transaction outcomes.”
For owners considering a future transaction, understanding these value drivers can be just as important as delivering short-term profit growth.
What Should Business Owners Do Now?
Even if a sale is several years away, now is an ideal time to understand how buyers may view your business. Ideally, preparation should start two to three years before a sale.
The strongest transaction outcomes are usually achieved by businesses that prepare early. Strengthening management capability, improving reporting systems and demonstrating recurring revenues can all enhance attractiveness to potential acquirers.
Action Checklist
· Review recurring and contracted revenue streams
· Ensure accreditations and certifications are fully documented
· Assess reliance on founders and key individuals
· Strengthen management team depth
· Review customer concentration risks
· Develop a long-term succession or exit plan
Key Takeaways
· The passive fire protection market continues to grow steadily
· Building safety regulation is supporting long-term demand.
· Strategic buyers are actively acquiring passive fire capability.
· Technical expertise and accreditations are becoming increasingly important value drivers.
· Early preparation can significantly improve future transaction outcomes.
How We Can Help
At The MGroup Corporate Finance, we advise owner-managed businesses across the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) sector on growth strategies, acquisitions, succession planning and business exits. Our team regularly engages with active acquirers and investors across the fire safety and compliance markets, providing first hand insight into buyer behavior, valuation drivers and market trends.
Whether you are considering future growth, planning for succession or exploring an eventual exit, understanding how buyers view your business is a valuable first step.
Expert M&A and Business Exit Advice
If you would like to discuss current buyer activity, market trends or strategic options within the fire safety sector, contact Geoff Pinder for a confidential discussion on 07717 874357 or email g.pinder@themgroup.co.uk.