Passive fire specialists acquired by Triangle Fire Systems

Founded in 2016 by Cliff and Amanda Spruce and based in Harlow, Essex, Intrinsic provides a range of passive fire design, installation and maintenance services, including fire stopping, structural steel protection, fire doors and asset condition surveys of existing fire protection measures. The business works nationally with several prominent clients, including housing associations such as Notting Hill Genesis, universities and NHS trusts. Intrinsic is led by managing director Cliff Spruce and technical director Remy Chandler, who will continue leading the business as part of Triangle’s group.

Sussex-based Triangle is one of the UK’s leading fire protection specialists, providing a comprehensive range of fire safety solutions, which includes residential and commercial fire sprinklers, wet and dry riser mains and passive fire protection. Triangle also has an in-house electrical team and servicing department for an all-encompassing approach.

Triangle works with leading housebuilders, including Barratt, Bellway, Berkeley and Vistry; Tier 1 contractors, such as Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, Mace and Wates; and many public sector and social housing providers. The business was founded by brothers Colin, Steve and Nigel Chantler in 2006 and has been backed by BGF since 2022.

Following the acquisition, Intrinsic will become Triangle’s passive fire division, continuing to provide services to its clients under the Intrinsic brand, as well as bringing additional specialist expertise and experience to benefit Triangle’s existing passive fire clients and offer a wider range of services to the group’s active fire system customers as well.

Cliff Spruce, managing director of Intrinsic, said: “After many years in the passive fire protection industry and latterly working with Remy and Amanda to grow Intrinsic to what it is today, it’s very pleasing to have found an excellent home for the business to allow it and the team to continue to flourish. We believe working alongside the team at Triangle will provide our clients and people with even more opportunities in the future. On behalf of myself, Amanda, and Remy, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped Intrinsic get to where it is today.

We look forward to working with Colin and his team going forward”.

Colin Chantler, CEO of Triangle, added: “Cliff, Remy and the Intrinsic team joining the Triangle family is a really exciting development for everyone involved. As a family business ourselves, we felt an immediate alignment with the team at Intrinsic and are looking forward to welcoming them into the group. Intrinsic has built up an exceptional reputation within the passive fire industry, and combining the team with Triangle offers all of our clients even deeper expertise across fire protection, backed up by our mutual commitment to industry-leading levels of service”.

Dow Schofield Watts Corporate Finance in the Midlands, led by partner Harry Walker and director Fahim Kassam, advised the shareholders of Intrinsic on the sale to Triangle. They were also advised by a legal team from Nelson’s led by Rachel Bennett. Triangle was advised by a legal team from Browne Jacobson, led by Ryan Brown.

Commenting on the deal, Partner Harry Walker added, “We couldn’t have found a better home for Intrinsic than Triangle. The complementary nature of their businesses was clear to see even from early discussions. The alignment of company culture and values is among the best I’ve seen in my career. It’s great to add another built environment deal to the DSW Midlands team’s extensive credentials in the industry.

We look forward with interest to seeing the future success of the combined group”.