Pye-Barker Deepens Texas Roots with Coastal Sprinkler Acquisition

ATLANTA, GA – January 14, 2026 – Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, the nation's largest fully integrated life safety provider, has acquired Coastal Sprinkler, a family-owned fire sprinkler company based in Beaumont, Texas. The move significantly expands Pye-Barker's service capabilities and operational footprint in the economically vital Southern Texas region, continuing a multi-year strategy of aggressive national consolidation.

The acquisition brings a nearly four-decade-old local institution into the fold of a national giant that now boasts over 250 locations and 8,000 employees. For residents and businesses in Southeast Texas, the deal signals the marriage of a trusted local name with the extensive resources of an industry leader.

A Strategy of National Consolidation

This latest acquisition is a hallmark of Pye-Barker's purposeful and rapid growth strategy, which has seen the company become the dominant consolidator in the fragmented fire protection and life safety market. The firm's trajectory has been remarkable; in 2024 alone, it completed 57 acquisitions, extending its presence to 46 states. The momentum carried into 2025 with another dozen companies brought under its umbrella in the first half of the year.

By the end of 2025, Pye-Barker had already established a formidable presence in the Lone Star State with over 20 locations, following key acquisitions like Fortress Security and Georgetown Fire and Safety. The addition of Coastal Sprinkler specifically enhances its fire sprinkler division, a critical component of its full-service offerings.

Pye-Barker's approach focuses on what CEO Bart Proctor calls a "people-first expansion strategy." The company actively seeks partners with deep local roots and a strong commitment to service, aiming to preserve their legacy while providing the benefits of scale.

"The foundation of any successful fire and life safety company is built on technical expertise and the trust earned in local communities," said Proctor in the official announcement. "What Russell, Kevan and their team have accomplished at Coastal Sprinkler reflects the values that matter to us—a commitment to quality work, customer relationships and developing people. This partnership brings together a locally impactful business with national resources, which benefits everyone we serve."

This philosophy has allowed the Atlanta-based firm to integrate dozens of local and regional businesses seamlessly, leveraging their specific knowledge into a nationwide bank of expertise while avoiding the disruption often associated with large-scale mergers.

From Local Legacy to National Network

For nearly 40 years, Coastal Sprinkler has been a fixture in the Southeast Texas safety landscape. Founded in 1987 by Carl W. Cuniff and more recently operated by his sons, Russell and Kevan Cuniff, the company built its reputation on reliability and specialized skill. Specializing in the design, installation, and maintenance of water-based automatic fire sprinkler systems, Coastal Sprinkler has served a diverse client base across industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. Its long-standing A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which it has held since 2007, attests to its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

The decision to join a national entity was a strategic one for the Cuniff family, aimed at securing the company's future and enhancing its capabilities without sacrificing its core identity.

"For nearly four decades, our family has built relationships throughout Southeast Texas by doing what we say we'll do and standing by our work," said Russell Cuniff, co-owner. "Pye-Barker is the right partner for us to continue providing the high-quality service our customers expect from us."

His brother and co-owner, Kevan Cuniff, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the benefits for their team and community. "Joining Pye-Barker gives our team access to greater resources while keeping the local presence our community depends on," he stated. "This partnership allows us to maintain the service standards we've always held while opening doors for our people to grow."

Fueling Growth in a Booming Texas Market

The acquisition is strategically timed to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced fire safety solutions in Southern Texas. The region is experiencing significant development, which is accompanied by an increasingly stringent regulatory environment designed to ensure public safety and structural resilience.

In April 2023, the City of Beaumont adopted the 2021 International Building and Fire Codes, along with the 2020 National Electrical Code. These updated regulations mandate higher standards for construction and life safety systems. For example, the Beaumont Fire Code now requires a total-coverage, NFPA 72-compliant fire alarm system in most non-sprinkled commercial structures over 2,000 square feet. Similarly, state-level bodies like the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office have adopted recent editions of the NFPA Life Safety Code and Fire Code, creating a complex compliance landscape that requires deep technical expertise.

Standards such as NFPA 13, governing sprinkler system installation, and NFPA 25, which dictates inspection and maintenance protocols, are central to the operations of companies like Coastal Sprinkler. The increasing complexity of these codes drives demand for specialized providers who can ensure that new construction and existing buildings remain compliant. By integrating Coastal Sprinkler's specialized expertise with its own comprehensive suite of services—spanning fire alarms, suppression, and security—Pye-Barker is well-positioned to offer end-to-end solutions for developers, facility managers, and business owners across the region.

The combination of local knowledge of these specific codes and Pye-Barker's national resources creates a powerful offering for a market that requires both sophisticated engineering and trusted, on-the-ground service. As Southern Texas continues to grow, the need for robust, integrated life safety infrastructure will only intensify, making this acquisition a key move in servicing that long-term demand.