This European Standard: details the issues to be addressed in a business risk and operating cost analysis enabling application of an appropriate classification of the data centre; defines the common aspects of data centres including terminology, parameters and reference models (functional elements and their accommodation) addressing both the size and complexity of their intended purpose; describes general aspects of the facilities and infrastructures required to support effective operation of telecommunications within data centres; specifies a classification system, based upon the key criteria of “availability??, “security?? and “energy-efficiency?? over the planned lifetime of the data centre, for the provision of effective facilities and infrastructure; describes the general design principles for data centres upon which the requirements of the EN 50600 series are based including symbols, labels, coding in drawings, quality assurance and education; The following topics are outside of the scope of this series of European Standards: the selection of information technology and network telecommunications equipment, software and associated configuration issues are outside the scope of this European Standard; safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements (covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this European Standard may be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations).