The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has launched the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS), a digital platform designed to streamline the application for fire permits, fire certificates and the tagging of fire safety equipment across the country.
The Service said the initiative forms part of its digital transformation agenda and is aimed at improving fire safety regulation, monitoring, enforcement and service delivery in Ghana.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, Divisional Officer One Emmanuel Bonney, the GNFS said the platform was now open to the general public, including business owners, homeowners, property managers, commercial property operators and vehicle owners.
The Service said the implementation of AFCAS was in accordance with the Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003 (L.I. 1724), as amended by L.I. 2249.
Under Regulations 1 and 2 of L.I. 1724, all commercial and residential premises are required to obtain a fire permit before the commencement of building construction and a fire certificate upon completion of the works.
The regulations also require fire alarms, fire equipment and fire extinguishers to bear official GNFS tags for inspection.
The GNFS has therefore directed all vehicle owners, residential and commercial property owners, as well as building owners and occupiers, to submit their applications through the AFCAS digital platform.
The Service has also advised members of the public to purchase fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment only from licensed Fire Protection Contractors and to ensure that such equipment carries official GNFS AFCAS tags.
The GNFS further directed procurement departments of property management companies, 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.
According to the Service, all installed fire safety equipment must carry an official GNFS-AFCAS QR code.
The GNFS said newly imported fire equipment would be tagged at the point of entry into the country, while owners of existing fire equipment would be given six months from the date of the publication of the notice to arrange for authorised fire safety inspectors to tag their equipment.
The AFCAS portal is currently accessible to the public at www.afcas.gnfs.gov.gh.
The Service said an information brochure containing details on the application process, objectives, benefits and operational procedures had also been published on the platform.
It urged all relevant stakeholders to study the guidelines before submitting their applications and called for their cooperation as the new system is rolled out nationwide.
The GNFS said the initiative was expected to strengthen regulatory compliance and improve the overall administration of fire safety in Ghana.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
