This paper discusses the effect of the fuel upon the design of brown coal firing equipment for large steam generators. The necessity of using different firing systems and characteristic values for burner and furnace in accordance with the specific requirements is covered, as well as the effect of the experience gained in operation on the design of firing systems, mills and steam generators. The influencing factors regarding range of control and operation of the firing equipment are specified and, finally, different firing designs are described for ligneous brown coal imposing special requirement on account of the problems arising from its pulverization.