Ghana Fire Service launches digital safety compliance system
The Ghana National Fire Service has launched the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS), a digital platform for online applications for fire permits and certificates, as well as for tagging fire safety equipment. The platform is already open to the public, the service said in a statement, as reported by MyJoyOnline.
The service said the launch of AFCAS is part of its digital transformation. The platform is intended to improve fire safety compliance, monitoring and service delivery across the country.
Permits for buildings
The system is being introduced in accordance with the Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003, L.I. 1724, as amended by L.I. 2249. Under the regulations, all premises — commercial and residential — require a fire permit before construction begins and a fire certificate after the work is completed.
Vehicle owners, residential and commercial property owners, building owners and premises users across the country were invited to submit applications through AFCAS. The platform has also published an information booklet with instructions on submitting applications, as well as the system's objectives, benefits and operating procedure.
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Equipment tagging
The fire service reminded the public that fire alarms, equipment and extinguishers must be marked with official tags for inspection. All installed fire safety equipment must have an official GNFS-AFCAS QR code.
Citizens were advised to purchase fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment only with official GNFS-AFCAS tags provided by licensed fire protection contractors. Property management companies, commercial facility operators, institutions, enterprises and local authorities were also instructed to engage only licensed GNFS-AFCAS contractors to install such equipment.
New imported equipment will be tagged at the point of entry. Owners of existing equipment will have six months from the date the notice is published to arrange for it to be tagged by authorized fire safety inspectors.
