The EN 50600 is a European standard that provides specifications for the planning, construction and operation of a data center.
Design Certification (DCDV)
EN 50600 Design Certification (DCDV) indicates that the design documents of the data center under scope have been reviewed for conformity to the design criteria of the EN-50600 standard for the respective Class level.
The EN 50600 Design Certification is valid for one year, extendable if a site is not operational yet.
Site/Facilities Certification (DCCC)
The EN-50600 Site/Facilities Certification (DCCC) indicates that the data center facility under scope has been physically inspected for conformity to the design criteria of the EN-50600 standard for the respective Class level.
This physical inspection covers both an assessment of all relevant design documents as well as a physical on-site inspection for each area under the scope of the EN 50600 standard.
The EN 50600 Site/Facilities Certification is valid for 3 years. By the end of year-1 and year-2, the data center should undergo a surveillance audit. Depending on potential site changes since the official certification audit, the surveillance audit could be based on self-declaration, remote validation or in very rare cases an on-site inspection. By the end of year-3, the data center has to undergo a recertification audit in order to maintain its certification.
The EN 50600 Standard
As part of the DCCC audit, the data center will be reviewed for conformity to the following categories as defined in the EN 50600 Standard:
- EN 50600-2-1: Building construction
- EN 50600-2-2: Power distribution
- EN 50600-2-3: Environmental control
- EN 50600-2-4: Telecommunications cabling infrastructure
- EN 50600-2-5: Security systems
For the criteria described in EN 50600-2-1 till EN 50600-2-4 the data center will receive an Availability Class Rating, as well as an overall rating level for the whole data center (1-4). For the criteria mentioned in the EN 50600-2-5, the data centre will receive a Protection Class rating (1-4).
Availability Class Ratings**
EN 50600 describes four availability classes for which data centers can be classified. Below are the high-level descriptions of each rating level.
- Availability Class-1: Basic Site Infrastructure
A data center which has single capacity components and a single, non-redundant distribution path serving the ICT equipment.
- Availability Class-2: Redundant Capacity Component Site Infrastructure
A data center which has redundant capacity components and a single, non-redundant distribution path serving the ICT equipment.
- Availability Class-3: Concurrently Maintainable Site Infrastructure
A data center which has multiple independent distribution paths serving the ICT equipment. From a conformity point of view, it is acceptable to have one distribution path serve the ICT equipment with the second distribution path to be on standby for maintenance purposes. However, most data centers use both distribution paths on a continuous basis. The data center is required to be concurrently maintainable meaning that each and every capacity component including elements/components which are part of the distribution path, can be removed/replaced/serviced on a planned basis without disrupting the ICT capabilities to the End-User.
- Availability Class-4: Fault Tolerant Site Infrastructure
A data center which has multiple independent distribution paths serving the ICT equipment which are all active. The data center allows concurrent maintainability and one (1) fault anywhere in the installation without causing downtime. The data center must be capable to automatically detect a fault, automatically isolate the fault and to automatically continue operation.
Note**; For a full description, please refer to the EN 56000 Standard.
Protection Class Ratings**
EN 50600 describes four protection classes for which various areas of the data centre can be classified. For example, the staging area could have a different protection class rating compared to the computer room. Below are the high-level descriptions of each rating level against which the computer room area(s) will be assessed.
- Protection Class-1:
An area which is public or semi-public. The area has no special protection against internal fire. There is no special protection applied against environmental events.
- Protection Class-2:
An area which is accessible to authorized individuals only. The area has fire detection and suppression. Mitigation is applied against environmental events.
- Protection Class-3:
An area which is restricted to specified individuals only. Other individuals are required to be accompanied by a specified individual. The area has fire detection and suppression. Mitigation is applied against environmental events.
- Protection Class-4:
An area which is restricted to specified employees only. Other individuals are required to be accompanied by a specified employee. The area has fire detection and suppression.
Note**; For a full description, please refer to the EN 56000 Standard.