The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has opened its Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS) to the public, enabling property and vehicle owners to apply online for fire permits, fire certificates and fire equipment tagging.
The digital platform is part of the GNFS’s broader digital transformation efforts aimed at improving fire safety compliance, monitoring and enforcement across the country.
Under the Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003 (L.I. 1724), as amended by L.I. 2249, owners of commercial and residential properties are required to obtain a fire permit before commencing construction and a fire certificate after completing construction.
The regulations also require fire alarms, extinguishers and other fire safety equipment to carry official GNFS tags confirming that they have been inspected.
The GNFS has therefore directed vehicle owners, residential and commercial property owners, as well as building owners and occupiers, to submit applications through the AFCAS platform.
The Service has also cautioned the public to purchase fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment only from licensed Fire Protection Contractors and to ensure that the equipment carries official GNFS AFCAS tags.
Property managers, businesses, institutions and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have similarly been advised to engage only GNFS-AFCAS licensed Fire Protection Contractors to install fire alarms, extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.
According to the GNFS, all installed fire safety equipment must bear an official GNFS-AFCAS QR code.
For newly imported fire safety equipment, tagging will be carried out at the point of entry into the country. Owners of existing equipment, meanwhile, have six months from August 31, 2026, to have their equipment tagged by GNFS-authorised fire safety inspectors.
The AFCAS portal is now operational and can be accessed through the GNFS website. An accompanying information brochure provides details on the application process, objectives, benefits and operational procedures of the system.
The GNFS said the initiative is intended to improve service delivery while strengthening the administration and enforcement of fire safety standards nationwide.
Members of the public who require further information can contact the GNFS on 0557679695 or 0243288969.
Source: citinews
