a method of protecting an asset from destruction resulting from exposure to at least one of fire and thermal energy comprising : identifying a pending threat capable of at least substantially destroying an asset by exposure to at least one of fire and thermal energy ; deploying a barrier , that includes a fire resistant layer and a thermal energy reflective layer , to separate the asset from the pending threat ; and securing the barrier to at least one of the ground , the asset itself , and a support structure ; wherein the act of securing the barrier is operative to retain at least one of the fire resistant layer and the thermal energy shield layer between the asset and the pending threat .