What Is the Difference Between Single Station & Double Station Smoke Detectors?

Single Station

• A single station smoke alarm is a stand-alone unit. Single station smoke alarms may be battery operated or hard wired into the electrical circuitry of the home. Single station smoke alarms were first introduced in the 1970s and are common in existing residential structures. The National Fire Protection Association credits their use with cutting home fire deaths in the United States in half.

Double Station

• Double station smoke detectors, also referred to as multi-station smoke detectors, involve a network of interconnected smoke detectors throughout a dwelling. Smoke detected by one multi-station detector will activate all of the smoke detectors in the network. Fire codes in many municipalities require new construction to include double station smoke detectors, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Advantages of Double Station Detectors

• Single station smoke detectors may be on every floor of a dwelling, but only the detector that senses smoke will be activated. A single station smoke detector in the basement may not provide a sufficient alarm for an individual who is sleeping on the second floor. A multi-station smoke detector that is activated in the basement will cause the alarm on the second floor to sound, providing a greater opportunity to rouse an individual on that level.

Considerations

• Single station and multi-station smoke alarms are available in units that include both sound and strobe lights. These units are beneficial to individuals who may be deaf or hard of hearing. Smoke alarms may detect smoke using either an ionization or photoelectric sensing mechanism. The National Fire Protection Association notes each type of detection method has advantages for detecting different kinds of fires and recommends equipping all sleeping areas of your home with smoke detectors that use both types of smoke sensing methods.