The major concern with industrial furnaces is their emissions, which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The federal New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) have stipulations regarding the size, function, and construction of industrial furnaces. The emissions of greatest concern are listed as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP).

Furnace operations are differentiated by furnaces designed for processing new products and those for heating. In 2011, the EPA published a list of pollutants and limits for each type. The publication was in compliance with part 60 of the Clean Air Act.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a set of specific regulations regarding industrial furnaces, which are found in ISO 13574, 13577, 13578, 13579, and 23459. They were first introduced in 2008 as ISO/TC 244 and have been progressively adjusted to include arc furnaces with ISO 13578: 2017.

ISO 13574: 2017 – outlines the vocabulary associated with industrial furnaces

ISO 13577 – has stipulations regarding safety standards for combustion and the handling of fuel, use of gases, and required protective systems

ISO 13579 – outlines energy measurement and efficiency

ISO 23495 – was enacted in 2021 regarding the requirements for converters and similar equipment

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has standards and codes regarding the safety, reliability, quality, and performance of industrial heating equipment.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) inspects and approves of industrial furnaces that are in compliance with their standards. The main concerns of the organization are safety and quality.

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has established energy efficiency standards regarding industrial manufacturing equipment.

An industrial furnace is a direct fired device used to provide heat for industrial processes that require heat in excess of 400° C (752° F).

Through the combustion of fuels and gases, raw materials and products are heated by direct or indirect contact.

The wide selection of industrial furnaces have different methods of performing their functions and use different fuels.

Regardless of the differences in operation, all furnaces serve the primary purpose of providing heat.

Industrial uses of furnaces tend to center around the annealing, melting, tempering, and carburizing of metals.