EN 50600-3-1 – Data Centers in Europe

EN 50600-3-1, “Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Management and operational information,” has just been released.  It is yet another in the EN 50600 series on Data Centers meant to set a new standard for efficiency, particularly energy efficiency.  The series will impact those of you involved in the design, planning, procurement, integration, installation, operation and maintenance of facilities and infrastructures for data centers.

Where does the EN 50600-3-1 fit into the EN 50600 scheme?  The other standards in the series deal with specific implementation issues (cabling, security, power distribution, environmental control and building construction).  This new part 3-1 addresses the processes for the management and operation of data centers.  Here is CENELEC’s description of the standard:

“The primary focus of this standard is the operational processes necessary to deliver the expected level of resilience, availability, risk management, risk mitigation, capacity planning, security and energy efficiency. The secondary focus is on management processes to align the actual and future demands of users.”

Who is the target audience for this standard?  It is written for those involved in facilities, whether it be as owners, designers and developers, construction services, and/or equipment suppliers and installers.  It is a European standard to be used as a holistic approach to the challenge of building and maintaining data centers for now and for the future.

What is a data center in terms of the EN 50600 series of standards?   It’s a facility that provides networked telecommunications equipment dedicated to storing, processing and transmitting data.  This includes the infrastructure for power generation and environmental control necessary to maintain high levels of service using this type of equipment.

Data centers have been around for a long time.  Why the EN 50600 series of standards now?  This series is an attempt to bring together information and concepts that have been supplied by a variety of industry associations up to this point (TIA, ANSI/BICSI and so on).  It represents an effort to create a facilities standard for Europe, comprehensive in scope.  It will be used to audit for for energy certification.

How do I get a copy of this standard?  Use an authorized standards distributor like Document Center Inc. for your compliance information.  You can search for and order standards at our webstore, www.document-center.com.  Here is a direct link to the order page for BS EN 50600-3-1, the official English language edition of the EN 50600-3-1.  If you have any additional questions, just get in touch with our staff by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re your Standards Experts!