The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has opened the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS) to the public as part of efforts to digitise fire safety administration and strengthen regulatory compliance nationwide.
The new digital platform enables vehicle owners, homeowners, property managers, commercial property operators, businesses and other stakeholders to apply online for fire permits, fire certificates and fire equipment tagging.
The initiative forms part of the GNFS’ digital transformation agenda and is being implemented in accordance with the Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003 (L.I. 1724), as amended by L.I. 2249.
Under the regulations, all commercial and residential premises are required to obtain a fire permit before construction begins and a fire certificate upon completion of construction.
The regulations also require fire alarms, fire equipment and fire extinguishers to bear official GNFS tags for inspection and compliance purposes.
According to the GNFS, AFCAS is intended to improve service delivery while strengthening the enforcement, monitoring and administration of fire safety across the country.
The Service has consequently directed all vehicle owners, residential and commercial property owners, and building owners or occupiers to submit their applications through the AFCAS platform.
The public has also been advised to purchase only fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment bearing official GNFS AFCAS tags from licensed Fire Protection Contractors.
The GNFS further directed procurement departments of property managers, commercial property operators, institutions, businesses and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to engage only GNFS-AFCAS licensed Fire Protection Contractors for the installation of fire alarms, extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.
It said all installed fire safety equipment must be tagged with an official GNFS-AFCAS QR code.
The Service added that newly imported fire equipment would be tagged at the point of entry, while owners of existing fire equipment have six months from August 28, 2026 to arrange for GNFS-authorised fire safety inspectors to tag their equipment.
The AFCAS portal is currently live and accessible to the public for service applications.
The GNFS has also published an information brochure on the platform outlining the application process, objectives, benefits and operational procedures, and urged stakeholders to review the guidelines before submitting applications.
The Service said the initiative is aimed at improving fire safety nationwide and called for the full cooperation of the public and other stakeholders.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
