Apparatus and methods for detecting smoke in an area. The apparatus may include a first detector module comprising a sensor configured to detect smoke in a volume of air received from the area, and a display module configured to receive input from the first detector module and provide output to a detection management device. The apparatus may also include a first backplane electrically coupled to the first detector module, and a second backplane electrically coupled to the display module and to the first backplane so as to transmit power, signals, or both between the display module and the first detector module. The first and second backplanes may be interchangeable.