This part of this European Prestandard specifies a test method for determiningThe ability of a vertical protective membrane, when used as a fire resistant barrier, to contribute toThe fire resistance of loadbearing vertical structural building members fabricated from steel, concrete, steel / concrete composites or timber.The method described is applicable to any type of vertical protective membrane, which can be associated with a separate bracing membrane.The vertical protective membrane can be separate fromThe structural building member and be selfsupporting or can be attached toThe structural building member and can form part of any load bearing structure.