Maintenance, test schedules, and testing procedures that can be used to optimize the life and performance of permanently installed, vented lead-acid storage batteries used for standby power applications are provided. This recommended practice also provides guidance to determine when batteries should be replaced. This recommended practice is applicable to full-float stationary applications where a charger maintains the battery fully charged and supplies the dc loads.

General revision of contents of the standard with no change in the existing scope of the standard.

General revision to standard to incorporate lessons learned from the industry, incorporate recent developments from the industry, and explanation of new testing recommendations from the 1995 version of the standard.