"This European Standard: a) details the issues to be addressed in a business risk and operating cost analysis enabling application of an appropriate classification of the data centre; b) 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; c) describes general aspects of the facilities and infrastructures required to support effective operation of telecommunications within data centres; d) specifies a classification system@ based upon the key criteria of ""availability""@ ""security"" and ""energyefficiency"" over the planned lifetime of the data centre@ for the provision of effective facilities and infrastructure; e) 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: 1) the selection of information technology and network telecommunications equipment@ software and associated configuration issues are outside the scope of this European Standard; 2) 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)."