The building envelopes of Civitas Vitae “Angelo Ferro” in Padua — one of the most important urban social care facilities in Italy — are currently undergoing comprehensive energy renovation. For passive fire protection, FireStop solutions from fischer are being used. The installed VentiStop FFB-VS fire protection barriers prevent the spread of fire within the ventilated rainscreen facades (VHF) in case of fire, thus protecting people and infrastructure.

Civitas Vitae “Angelo Ferro” combines social, medical, and educational infrastructures on a site of over 12 hectares, benefiting around 3,500 people daily — including preschool children, elderly people in need of care, and people with disabilities. The facility exemplifies intergenerational integration, social inclusion, and innovative care concepts. The individual buildings are connected by an underground tunnel system that offers weather-independent, comfortable paths. Above ground, spacious green areas complement the site.

The energy renovation of the facades of the two main buildings of Civitas Vitae “Angelo Ferro” started in May 2024 and is scheduled for completion by December 2025. On an area of around 5,000 m², the construction company Ruffato Mario S.r.l. (Padua) is modernizing the building envelopes. The planning and construction supervision of the renovation project is carried out by architect Maurizio Striolo (Padua). The technical development of the VHF is the responsibility of architect Davide Prando, Engineering Director at Phoenix S.r.l. Phoenix specializes in facade solutions with integrated fire protection and supports Ruffato Mario S.r.l. with specialist planning and expertise in this area. To meet the fire protection requirements, fischer VentiStop FFB-VS fire protection barriers were chosen.

“Based on the analysis of the building data and taking into account the required fire resistance class and structural conditions, we were able to define an optimally suitable solution together with Phoenix S.r.l.,” explains Marco Zanellato, Key Account Manager at fischer Italy. “In addition to supplying the products, we also supported the project through technical consulting and assistance during on-site installation.”

“The partnership with fischer, currently our main supplier for fastening elements, is based on many years of professional cooperation. It is founded on the quality of products and services as well as a brand that is synonymous with safety and reliability,” emphasize Roberto Pala, CEO of Phoenix S.r.l., and Davide Prando, Engineering Director at Phoenix S.r.l. 

Technical solution in detail: fischer VentiStop FFB-VS

fischer FFB-VS is a foil-coated, prefabricated fire protection element made of stone wool with a powerful intumescent graphite strip on the visible side. This is wrapped in a durable polyethylene foil to prevent water ingress. FFB-VS is designed to maintain a controlled ventilation gap of 25 to 50 mm — for effective ventilation and moisture removal behind the facade cladding. In case of fire, the intumescent strip expands horizontally along the front edge, reliably sealing the gap and preventing the spread of fire within the facade construction. 

With this project, fischer is once again making an important contribution to the safe, sustainable, and forward-looking renovation of social infrastructures in Europe.