Ahaus Police Department

Highly resistant to “mechanical impact,” quick to lock, with a pass-through window and the ability to see into the entire cell from the outside—the requirements for a cell door are quite complex. The newly built police station in Ahaus (North Rhine-Westphalia) shows how such high demands can be met. The three-story brick building is not only an office, but also houses detention cells – and thus rooms that place unusual demands on the doors: First of all, the components must be extremely robust. For this reason, the fittings are made of durable stainless steel. A safety chain serves as protection against sudden opening, and the door is also equipped with a quick-release fastener with a push bar. This ensures that the cell can be locked again as quickly as possible in the event of an escape attempt by the detainee. The doors are opened and closed using a knob. 

It is also important to be able to see into the cell. Instead of complex video technology, a spyhole has been integrated into the door leaf in Ahaus. This gives the guards a 175-degree view into the cells. The “communication flap” is designed for cases where the door should not be opened at all but the inmate still needs to be cared for: it opens 90 degrees. This means that items can also be placed on the flap (e.g., a tray with medication). The flush installation prevents injuries (on both sides). Security doors with resistance class RC 3 are also used in Ahaus. The passageway is designed as an airlock, with electric door openers releasing the individual doors one by one.