Description of the production program, ensuing requirements on the batch annealing plant and measures designed to ensure their fulfillment. Survey of annealing product and furnace chamber dimensions, installed loads and annealing temperatures. Makeup of the annealing stacks and temperature measurements under the hood. Variation in time of circulating gas temperature, determination of the core temperature, precalculation of the annealing time. Change-over to annealing under hydrogen: advantages ensured by the use of hydrogen, protective gas safety system, economic efficiency considerations.