Stationary lead-acid batteries play an ever-increasing role in industry today by providing normal response and instrument power and backup energy for emergencies. This recommended practice fulfills the need within the industry to provide common or standard practices for the design of battery installations and the battery installation procedures. The methods described are applicable to installations and battery sizes using vented lead-acid batteries. The installations considered herein are designed for float operation with a battery charger serving to maintain the battery in a charged condition as well as to supply the normal dc load.This recommended practice may be used separately@ and when combined with IEEE Std 450?-1995@ IEEE Recommended Practice for Maintenance@ Testing@ and Replacement of Vented Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications@ and IEEE Std 485?-1997@ IEEE Recommended Practice for Sizing Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications@ will provide the user with a general guide to sizing@ designing@ placing in service@ maintaining@ and testing a vented lead-acid battery installation. As a recommended practice@ this document presents procedures and positions preferred by the IEEE.This recommended practice provides recommended design practices and procedures for storage@ location@ mounting@ ventilation@ instrumentation@ preassembly@ assembly@ and charging of vented lead-acid batteries. Required safety practices are also included. This recommended practice is applicable to full float stationary applications where a battery charger normally maintains the battery fully charged and provides the direct current (dc) loads. However@ specific applications@ such as emergency lighting units@ semiportable equipment@ and alternate energy applications@ may have other appropriate practices that are beyond the scope of this recommended practice.The portions of this recommended practice that specifically relate to personnel safety are mandatory instructions and are designated by the word shall; all other portions are recommended practices and are designated by the word should.