This European Standard specifies a test method for determining the ability of a vertical protective membrane, when used as a fire resistant barrier, to contribute to the fire resistance (loadbearing capacity R) 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 either separated from or attached to the structural building member and is self-supporting. This test method is applicable to vertical protective membranes where there is a gap and a cavity between the vertical protective membrane and the structural building member, otherwise alternative test methods prEN 13381-3, EN 13381-4, EN 13381-6 or prEN 13381-7 should be used as appropriate. This test method and assessment is not applicable to the following: a) all situations where the cavity is to be used as a service or ventilation shaft; b) all situations where the vertical protective membrane acts as a bracing membrane. This European Standard contains the fire test which specifies the tests which shall be carried out whereby the vertical protective membrane together with the structural member to be protected is exposed to the specified fire. The fire exposure, to the standard temperature/time curve given in EN 1363-1, is applied to the side which would be exposed in practice.