Firefighters torched two similar compartments on Magee Avenue in Stamford Thursday to demonstrate how homeowners can add an extra layer of protection from house fires.

One structure had a sprinkler system that activated when temperatures exceeded 155 degrees, keeping its contents mostly intact. The other went up in flames within a minute.

Firefighters say having a smoke detector and a sprinkler system increases a person's chance of surviving a house fire by 80 percent. 

Officials say although sprinkler systems can be costly, they are worth it.

"In the event of a fire, you will survive, and most days you'll be able to get back inside your house the same day," says David Lafond, a regional manager for the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

Firefighters are calling on state officials to pass a new building code that would require the installment of sprinkler systems in all new homes.