Pye-Barker Fire & Safety
Pye-Barker Fire & Safety works in fire protection, life safety, and security. It began in Atlanta in 1946 and today has locations in 47 states.
Maybe a fire company recently reached out to you, or the invoice from your regular fire service now shows a different name. Either way, you likely want to know who Pye-Barker is and what the company does. In short, it's a big national business that grew mainly by purchasing local fire and alarm companies.
- States served 47
- Branches listed 252
- Started 1946 in Atlanta, Georgia
- Team members in 2025 9,000
Fire services Pye-Barker offers for your property
Pye-Barker calls itself one company that handles fire and life safety under a single roof. In practice, that means a single provider takes care of fire equipment, alarms, and security, so you won't have to hire a different firm for each one.
Its history page lists this range of work:
- Handheld fire extinguishers
- Kitchen fire suppression for restaurants
- Systems for special hazards
- Sprinkler systems
- Fire alarm systems
- Burglar alarms
- Entry and access control
- Cameras and security monitoring
On its home page, the company notes that it checks, maintains, and supplies extinguishers and suppression equipment, and provides training as well. It also installs, services, and engineers fire sprinkler systems, plus fire alarms, burglar alarms, and monitoring.
In a restaurant, the suppression system is the equipment fitted into the kitchen to stop a fire right at the cooking line. Pye-Barker services restaurant fire suppression systems, including equipment used in commercial kitchens.
How the company got started
In 1946, John Pye and Ben Barker started Pye-Barker Supply Company in Atlanta, Georgia. The original shop sold fire extinguishers and first-aid kits.
In 1972, Thomas Lumsden purchased the business from its founders. After that, J. Roger Lumsden teamed up with Bart Proctor, the current CEO, to expand the company. J. Roger Lumsden stepped into retirement in 2021.
The company has also announced Kelly Rooney stepping into the President role.
Expansion by acquiring local businesses
Buying up other fire and safety businesses accounts for most of Pye-Barker's scale. During the 1990s, its acquisitions included Atlanta Fire Extinguisher, Dixie Fire Extinguisher, Decatur Fire Extinguisher, Fyer-Fyter, and Mid-Georgia Fire.
Buying Rapid Fire Protection Group and Mountain Alarm added sprinkler and alarm capabilities to the company. The company later reached its 100th location.
Acquisitions have moved faster lately. The company took over 7 Koetter Fire branches, and during 2025 alone it purchased 57 companies working across alarms, sprinklers, suppression, and security. Another deal, Union AlarmTronic, LLC, gave it a security alarm presence in the Northeast.
If your local fire company was bought out, it's worth making sure your inspection dates and billing haven't changed.
Pye-Barker's size today
Pye-Barker describes itself as the biggest fully integrated, full-service provider of fire protection, life safety, and security services in the country. The locations page shows 252 locations spread across 47 states, with more being added.
For 2025, the company landed at #4 on the SDM 100, a ranking of firms in the security industry. That same year marked its sixth appearance on the Inc. 5000 list, and it holds Great Place to Work certification.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Pye-Barker Fire & Safety?
According to the company, it's the biggest fire and life safety company powered by employee ownership. The company is led by CEO Bart Proctor.
What's it like to work at Pye-Barker?
The company is Great Place To Work Certified. Its ALL In program gives incentive awards to every eligible full-time team member, at no cost to them.
Does Pye-Barker give back to firefighters?
It does. Pye-Barker partners with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.