Police detention centres fire alarms in smoking rooms also turned out to be unsuitable in practice. For these reasons, the technical group did not recommend the installation of fire alarms in all inmate cells. However, the technical group recommended the installation of heat detectors in smoking rooms in the future if there is a need for detection systems despite the observation of these rooms by the staff. This recommendation seeks the greatest possible degree of risk minimisation. Heat detectors in smoking rooms The technical group recommended that the Federal Ministry of the Interior look for suitable fire alarm systems (smoke or heat detectors), which correspond to the current state of the art. If new systems are found, they should first be used in rooms for long-term detention and then in all detention rooms – with due consideration to the financial aspects. If this product research does not obtain any usable results, the Federal Ministry should initiate a scientific research project to obtain progress in this area. A glance over the border could be worthwhile: the German NPM indicated that fire prevention is not a problem in police detention centres in Germany since fire alarms have been installed in the ventilation systems, or vandalism-resistant fire prevention systems have been installed on the ceiling. Moreover, in the future, all detention rooms operated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior will only be equipped with fire-retardant mattresses/bedding of the best possible standard. In view of the high cost of retrofitting, the technical group refrained from recommending the use of permanently installed smoke extraction equipments. However, the technical group pointed out that the Technical Guidelines for Fire Prevention require the installation of exhaust systems in corridors and stairwells. In addition, the technical group recommended that mobile smoke extraction equipment or pressure aerators only be used in organisational areas where there are properly trained fire prevention groups. (Mobile) smoke extraction equipment The technical group submitted its recommendation paper to the Dialogue Committee on Civil Society at the Federal Ministry of the Interior in autumn 2017. In response to an inquiry from the NPM, the Federal Ministry stated that it has already ordered the relevant unit to implement these recommendations. The NPM will monitor further progress. XX  The level of fire prevention in police detention must be adjusted to at least meet the standards for correctional institutions. XX  The Federal Ministry of the Interior should develop an overall strategy for a uniform national design for preventive and protective fire safety and issue appropriate standards. 153