{
  "title": "How to Sell a Fire and Life Safety Business: 8 Steps, Documents, Fees",
  "url": "https://acquisitions.com/blog/how-to-sell-a-fire-life-safety-business/",
  "author": "Moran Pober",
  "publisher": "Acquisitions.com",
  "published": "2026-10-23",
  "updated": "2026-10-23",
  "section": "Selling a business",
  "keyword": "how to sell a fire and life safety business",
  "short_answer": "Prepare three years of clean financials, split recurring inspection and service revenue from one-off install work, document your contract base, NFPA inspection schedules, licences and technician certifications, then value the business on SDE or EBITDA. Market it quietly to qualified buyers, sign a letter of intent, get through due diligence and close. Most owners need 12 to 24 months from first prep to closing day.",
  "facts": {
    "Under $500K": [
      "2.0x",
      "SDE"
    ],
    "$500K to $1M": [
      "3.0x",
      "SDE"
    ],
    "$1M to $2M": [
      "3.1x",
      "SDE"
    ],
    "$2M to $5M": [
      "4.1x",
      "EBITDA"
    ],
    "$5M to $50M": [
      "5.5x",
      "EBITDA"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    "https://www.ibba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/market-pulse-highlights-q4-2025.pdf",
    "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ibba-and-ma-source-announce-the-market-pulse-q4-2025-survey-results-302691992.html",
    "https://www.nfpa.org/product/nfpa-25-standard/p0025code",
    "https://www.nfpa.org/product/nfpa-72-code/p0072code",
    "https://tdi.texas.gov/fire/information-fire-sprinkler-registration-license-test.html",
    "https://www.cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Licensing_Classifications/Licensing_Classifications_Detail.aspx?Class=C16",
    "https://nicet.org/certification-programs/electrical-and-mechanical-systems/inspection-and-testing-of-water-based-systems/certification-requirements"
  ],
  "license": "Facts may be quoted with attribution to Acquisitions.com and a link to the url above."
}