This part of this European Prestandard specifies a test method for determining the contribution made by applied fire protection systems to the fire resistance of structural steel members, which can be used as beams, columns or tension members. The evaluation is designed to cover a range of thicknesses of the applied fire protection material, a range of steel sections, characterized by their section factors, a range of design temperatures and a range of valid fire protection classification periods. This European Prestandard applies to fire protection materials where the gap between the material and the flange faces of the steel member is less than 5 mm in size. Otherwise, the test methods in ENV 13381-1 or ENV 13381-2, as appropriate, apply. This European Prestandard contains the fire test which specifies the tests which should be carried out to determine the ability of the fire protection system to remain coherent and fixed to the steelwork, and to provide data on the thermal characteristics of the fire protection system, when exposed to the standard temperature/time curve specified in EN 1363-1. In special circumstances, where specified in national building regulations, there can be a need to subject reactive protection material to a smouldering curve. The test for this and the special circumstances for its use are described in annex A. The fire test methodology makes provision for the collection and presentation of data which can be used as direct input to the calculation of fire resistance of steel structural members in accordance with the procedures given in ENV 1993-1-2. This European Prestandard also contains the assessment which prescribes how the analysis of the test data should be made and gives guidance on the procedures by which interpolation should be undertaken.