The life of coke ovens battery depends to a large extent upon its initial heating after it is constructed. Unless a correct heating schedule is drawn and followed, the oven walls can be damaged permanently and no amount of maintenance can completely undo such damages. So heating of ovens must be done very carefully and systematically. The heating of a new furnace should be done slowly and with sufficient airflow to remove the moisture evolved during drying of bricks and mortar, which is known as the " Smoking Period" The temperature should be maintained within 200°C - 250°C for couple of days for complete drying of Refractory and the areas round the foundation. Subsequently, the rise of temperature should be kept low and uniform throughout the heating operation for the saturation of bricks. It is often good practice to subject the furnace to expose to the temperature higher than the actual operating temperature of furnace as initial heating of coal mass will be done by the bricks of the furnace. After Completion of brick works 7 days should be given for natural drying of mortar, then heating can be started.