GNFS Ghana: Automated Fire Compliance System Ghana Launched, Mandates Tagging

• The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has launched the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS) for online applications and equipment tagging.
• AFCAS implements existing Fire Precaution Regulations (L.I. 1724), requiring fire permits for construction and certificates upon completion for all premises.
• All fire safety equipment, including alarms and extinguishers, must now bear official GNFS AFCAS tags for inspection.
• Property owners, vehicle owners, and businesses must use the AFCAS portal for applications and engage only licensed contractors for installations.
• Owners of existing fire equipment have six months from the system's publication date to arrange for official GNFS tagging.

Owners of existing fire safety equipment are granted a six-month grace period from the date of the system's publication to arrange for GNFS-authorised fire safety inspectors to tag their equipment.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has officially introduced its new Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS), a comprehensive digital platform designed to streamline fire safety regulations across the nation. This innovative system facilitates the online application process for fire permits and certificates, while also mandating the tagging of all fire safety equipment. The initiative represents a significant step in the GNFS's broader digital transformation strategy, aiming to enhance fire safety compliance, improve monitoring capabilities, and optimize service delivery throughout Ghana.

Divisional Officer One (DO I) Emmanuel Bonney, who serves as the Head of Public Relations for the GNFS, confirmed the public accessibility of the AFCAS platform in a statement. The system is now fully operational and available for use by the public. This rollout is expected to modernize the interaction between the public and the fire service, making compliance procedures more efficient and transparent.

The implementation of the GNFS automated fire compliance system Ghana is firmly rooted in existing legal frameworks, specifically the Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003 (L.I. 1724), as subsequently amended by L.I. 2249. These regulations impose strict requirements on property owners and developers. Under Regulations 1 and 2 of L.I. 1724, all premises, encompassing both commercial and residential properties, are legally obligated to secure a fire permit prior to commencing any building construction. Furthermore, a fire certificate must be obtained upon the successful completion of such works.

Beyond permits and certificates, Regulations 11 and 12 of L.I. 1724 stipulate that all fire alarms, general fire equipment, and fire extinguishers must bear official GNFS tags to facilitate inspection and ensure authenticity. This legal mandate underscores the critical importance of adhering to fire safety standards, with the AFCAS Ghana online application system now serving as the primary conduit for fulfilling these statutory obligations.

With the launch of the Ghana fire permit certificate portal, the GNFS has issued clear directives for various stakeholders to ensure compliance. Vehicle owners, along with owners and occupiers of both residential and commercial properties nationwide, are now required to submit all their fire safety applications exclusively through the AFCAS digital platform. This centralized approach aims to standardize the application process and improve record-keeping.

Furthermore, the GNFS advises the public to only acquire fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment that already bear official GNFS AFCAS tags, which must be sourced from licensed Fire Protection Contractors. Procurement departments within property management companies, commercial property operators, institutions, businesses, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are also directed to engage solely with GNFS-AFCAS licensed Fire Protection Contractors for the installation of fire alarms, extinguishers, and other safety apparatus. A crucial new requirement is that all newly installed fire safety equipment must be affixed with an official GNFS-AFCAS QR code tag, ensuring traceability and verification.

The introduction of the GNFS fire safety equipment tagging system includes specific timelines for compliance. For newly imported fire equipment, the tagging process will occur directly at the point of entry into Ghana. However, owners of existing fire safety equipment are granted a six-month grace period from the date of the system's publication to arrange for GNFS-authorised fire safety inspectors to tag their equipment.

The AFCAS platform, accessible via www.afcas.gnfs.gov.gh, is designed to significantly bolster the enforcement, monitoring, and overall administration of fire safety protocols across Ghana. It also aims to foster more effective collaboration between the Ghana National Fire Service and the public. An informative brochure detailing the application process, objectives, benefits, and operational procedures is available on the portal, and all relevant stakeholders are strongly encouraged to review these guidelines before submitting their applications, with full cooperation being essential for the initiative's success.

Lawyers and compliance officers must advise clients on the new mandatory online application procedures via AFCAS for fire permits and certificates, and the requirement for all fire safety equipment to bear official GNFS-AFCAS tags. Non-compliance, especially regarding the six-month deadline for existing equipment, could result in regulatory penalties for property owners and businesses in Ghana.

Source: Original reporting via GNA