Investcorp-backed Guardian Fire Services acquires Preferred Fire Protection, adding a Pittsburgh sprinkler contractor as its fourth add-on

Guardian Fire Services, a Nashville, Tennessee-based owner and operator of local fire protection and life safety companies, announced on November 10 that it has completed the acquisition of Preferred Fire Protection, a provider of commercial fire protection and security systems and services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The asset.

Preferred Fire Protection describes itself as the Pittsburgh region’s leading full-service fire sprinkler contractor. It handles design and engineering, installation, service, and inspections, along with commercial fire protection and security systems, and runs 24-hour emergency service. Ed Gonano is Founder and President; the release also names Jeff and Doug as part of the leadership team (last names were not given). Founding year, headcount, and revenue were not disclosed.

The platform.

Guardian Fire Services owns a nationwide network of local fire protection and life safety companies under one national parent. Investcorp’s North America Private Equity business acquired Guardian in December 2025, and Preferred Fire is the fourth add-on since. In August, Guardian acquired Houston Fire Protection, a commercial fire and life safety provider that strengthened its presence in South Texas. CEO Ray Misfelt pointed to Preferred Fire’s “strong margins” and operational track record in the release.

Inspection-and-service sprinkler density in a new region.

The structural point is what Guardian is buying in Pittsburgh: a full-service sprinkler contractor whose design, install, service, and inspection work sits under one roof. Code-mandated inspection and service work recurs regardless of construction cycles, and installs feed that base. For a fire platform still early in its sponsor hold, adding an established local sprinkler shop in a new metro is the fastest way to plant an inspection book that later add-ons, such as alarm, extinguisher, and special-hazard shops, can attach to. Pittsburgh is also an active fire and life safety market for consolidators; Sciens Building Solutions added Pittsburgh’s Scherer Lock & Supply and Erie’s The Wilkins Company in October.

What it means.

For owners of fire sprinkler, alarm, and inspection companies, sponsor-backed fire platforms remain one of the most active buyer groups in the trades, and a platform in the first year of a new hold is typically focused on adding regional anchors. Companies with a high share of recurring inspection and service revenue, documented margins, and a leadership team that can stay on through the transition tend to be the assets these buyers move on first.