EN 50600

The EN 50600, known as the Data Center standard, is a series of publications that define European standards for Data Centers. The standard describes the development process of a Data Center based on four main parts and is therefore also didactically optimally structured for the planning of a Data Center. 

Part 1

Part 1 revolves around general concepts and elaborates the framework conditions for the Data Center. For example, protection and availability classes are defined, which form the basis of the following planning or audits of an existing data center.

Part 3

Part 3 deals with the operation and organization of the Data Center. Management processes can be found in this section as well as information on company organization. Operating manuals or emergency concepts are developed from the framework conditions specified here.

Part 2

Part 2 of EN 50600 makes statements and offers planning ideas for the conceptual design of the Data Center infrastructure. The protection and availability classes specified in Part 1 are implemented in practice here. The schemes and sketches in the standard, however, cannot replace engineering services here, but are to be understood as a "guideline" for the planner.

Part 4

Part 4 describes key figures for Data Centers. The key figures (KPIs) listed in the standard are used to assess the efficiency or profitability of existing Data Centers or are used as a benchmark for planning processes for new projects. Thus, Data Centers can be objectively compared with one another or target values can be defined.

Part 1

Part 1 revolves around general concepts and elaborates the framework conditions for the Data Center. For example, protection and availability classes are defined, which form the basis of the following planning or audits of an existing data center.

Part 2

Part 2 of EN 50600 makes statements and offers planning ideas for the conceptual design of the Data Center infrastructure. The protection and availability classes specified in Part 1 are implemented in practice here. The schemes and sketches in the standard, however, cannot replace engineering services here, but are to be understood as a "guideline" for the planner.

Part 3

Part 3 deals with the operation and organization of the Data Center. Management processes can be found in this section as well as information on company organization. Operating manuals or emergency concepts are developed from the framework conditions specified here.

Part 4

Part 4 describes key figures for Data Centers. The key figures (KPIs) listed in the standard are used to assess the efficiency or profitability of existing Data Centers or are used as a benchmark for planning processes for new projects. Thus, Data Centers can be objectively compared with one another or target values can be defined.
gray-box

Risk and business analysis

A structured and needs-based risk and business analysis serves as the basis. This involves analyzing and evaluating the respective business risk, security level, service life costs, and external threats based on DIN EN 31010 | IEC/ISO 31010.

Based on this, the availability class (VK1-VK4), the protection class (SK1-SK4), and the granularity level (GN1-GN3) required for energy efficiency measurements are defined for the Data Center operation before planning begins, taking into account the specifications from the standard. In summary, this results in the individual Data Center classification. 

On this basis, the planning and execution of new Data Center buildings or Data Center upgrades are then implemented accordingly. The planning principles include EMC concept and lightning protection (DIN EN 62305) as well as cabling (DIN EN 50174) and equipotential bonding (DIN EN 50310).

Our Experience and Expertise

As co-authors of DIN EN 50600, we contribute to data centre standardisation. Our involvement in the responsible standards committee connects the development of the standard with practical experience in planning, construction and operation. Find out more about our Accreditations and Memberships and about the DKE/GK 719 “Data centres”.

High Knowledge offers audits and its own certifications against DIN EN 50600. Together, we define the applicable parts of the standard, assessment scope and target classes. On that basis, we assess documentation and implementation, recording findings and necessary measures.

The certificate identifies the assessed site, agreed scope and outcome. Certification of data centre infrastructure does not replace a separate assessment of all legal obligations applying to the operator.

en-50600-graph-hk
gray-box

The EN 50600 standard is structured in detail as follows:

  • DIN EN 50600-1: General concepts
  • DIN EN 50600-2-1: Building design
  • DIN EN 50600-2-2: Power supply and power distribution
  • DIN EN 50600-2-3: Control of environmental conditions
  • DIN EN 50600-2-4: Telecommunications cabling infrastructure
  • DIN EN 50600-2-5: Security systems
  • DIN EN 50600-3-1: Information for management and operation
  • DIN EN 50600-4-1: Overview of and general requirements for Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
  • DIN EN 50600-4-2: Key performance indicator for Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
  • DIN EN 50600-4-3: Renewable Energy Factor (REF)
  • DIN EN 50600-4-6: Energy Reuse Factor (ERF)
  • DIN EN 50600-4-7: Cooling Efficiency Ratio (CER)
  • DIN CLC/TR 50600-99-1: Recommended practices for energy management
  • DIN CLC/TR 50600-99-2: Recommended practices for environmental compatibility
  • DIN CLC/TR 50600-99-3: Application guide for the series of standards
gold-outline

DIN EN 50600: assessment scope and evidence

The standards series covers general concepts, building and technical infrastructure, management and operations, and performance indicators. Availability classes 1 to 4, protection classes 1 to 4 and granularity levels 1 to 3 describe different requirements; they do not represent a blanket uptime percentage. For an audit, we define the applicable parts, assessment scope, classes and required evidence. The documentation records findings, deviations and the scope of a High Knowledge certification.