What it is about
Part 2‑3 specifies requirements and recommendations for environmental control: temperature, fluid flows, relative humidity, particulate monitoring, vibration, and the physical security of the cooling systems. It is based on the classifications of EN 50600‑1.
The standard applies to all spaces, from the computer room through electrical, generator, and UPS spaces to the control room and storage, and divides the cooling system into supply (cooling generation) and distribution (pumps, pipes, computer room air conditioning units), which are classified separately. Electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility are outside its scope (EN 50600‑2‑3:2019, Clauses 1, 5.1.2, 5.2).
Core requirements in our own words
The limit values come from an analysis, not from the standard.
The owner examines how energy management and environmental parameters fit together for the intended IT equipment and derives from this the limits for supply air temperature, humidity, and contamination. The standard gives fallback values only where no manufacturer is known. Clauses 5.1.3 and 5.2.9.
The computer room is the critical space.
The supply air temperature is monitored with sensors near the IT equipment, with additional sensors against local overheating where the heat load is high. Outside air is filtered; gaseous contamination should be measured. Clause 5.2.9.
Four Availability Classes, separately for supply and distribution.
The classes range from the single path through the single path with redundant equipment and the multi-path solution with a passive path to the fault-tolerant solution with two separately accommodated subsystems. Each path may use a different technology. Clauses 6.2.1 and 6.2.2.2 to 6.2.2.9.
Cooling and power supply are linked.
For each class of the cooling system, the standard states the class of power supply in accordance with Part 2‑2 that must feed it. The designer specifies the socket type for each element: unprotected, protected, or short-break. Clauses 6.2.2.2 to 6.2.2.9.
UPS spaces are cooled according to their own class.
If the UPS is not located in the computer room, its space needs a cooling system of the appropriate class. From Class 3, a single failure of the cooling must not force the UPS into overtemperature or into bypass. Clauses 6.2.3.1 to 6.2.3.4.
Decentralized control, measurement according to granularity level.
All units operate autonomously; the failure of a central control system must not disrupt operation. Outside conditions are always measured; in the computer room, the number of sensors increases with the granularity level, up to measurement per cold aisle. Clauses 6.4 and 8.2 to 8.7.
From our seminars: two misconceptions
“The colder the computer room, the safer the operation.”
The standard requires an analysis that weighs energy consumption against environmental parameters and points out that wider tolerances for temperature and humidity save energy. From seminar practice: every increase in the permitted supply air temperature extends the time in which, in Germany, cooling is possible without a chiller (Clauses 5.1.4, 5.2.9).
“Two computer room air conditioning units instead of one make Class 2.”
The class describes supply and distribution separately and asks about paths, not just units. Redundant computer room air conditioning units on one supply path are a Class 2 distribution; the supply behind them can remain Class 1. Only Class 3 requires a second, passive path (Clauses 6.2.2.4 to 6.2.2.7).
Where Part 2‑3 applies in a project
Planning
The owner prepares the analysis of energy management and environmental parameters and derives from it the class, outside conditions, modularity, and part-load behavior of the cooling (Clause 5.1.3).
Tendering
The specification states the class of each subsystem, the connection type of each element, and the metering concept according to granularity level, instead of prescribing numbers of units.
Acceptance and operation
The failure of individual cooling paths, the switchover to the passive path, and emergency cooling are tested under load. In operation, set points, free cooling, and changes to supply paths are documented as operational procedures in accordance with Part 3‑1.
This protects you from a cooling system that is taken for Class 3 in the audit because two units stand in the room, but that depends on a single path. It saves you energy costs from set points that nobody has justified.
Status and revision
- Current edition
DIN EN 50600‑2‑3:2019‑08, German edition of EN 50600‑2‑3:2019; supersedes the 2014 edition.
- International
ISO/IEC 22237‑4:2021.
- Revision
- Draft, not a valid standard· prEN 50600‑2‑3:2026
prEN 50600‑2‑3:2026 in preparation at CLC/TC 215; we do not yet have its content and timetable. Until publication, the 2019 edition applies. Committee CLC/TC 215, German mirror committee DKE/GK 719.
- Last reviewed
EN 50600‑2‑3
Frequently asked questions
Temperature, fluid flows, relative humidity, particulate monitoring, vibration, and the physical security of the cooling systems in data centers, based on the classifications of EN 50600‑1 (Clause 1).
No. The limit values follow from an analysis by the owner and from the manufacturer specifications of the IT equipment; fallback values apply only where no manufacturer is known (Clauses 5.1.3, 5.2.9).
Four, each separately for cooling supply and cooling distribution: single path, single path with redundancy, multiple paths with repair during operation, and fault tolerant with two separate subsystems (Clause 6.2).
For each class of cooling, the standard states the class of power supply in accordance with EN 50600‑2‑2 that must feed it, and requires the connection type of each element to be specified (Clauses 6.2.2.2 to 6.2.2.9).
Yes, a draft prEN 50600‑2‑3:2026 is in preparation at CLC/TC 215. Until publication, the 2019 edition remains valid without change.
Seminars
Related seminars
Training path 4/4
DC-21004Deep Dive – Power Supply & Cooling
according to EN 50600
5 days · In person · Live webinar
Thermodynamics, cooling generation, free cooling, and design according to Part 2‑3 at the depth the standard assumes; this saves you set points and redundancies that nobody can justify.
Next date: 23–27 Nov 2026, onlinePrice plus VAT: €6,990Training path 2/4
DC-21002Data Center Design & Implementation
according to EN 50600 and ISO/IEC 22237
5 days · In person · Live webinar
Part 2‑3 in the context of Parts 1, 2‑2, and 3‑1, from the risk analysis to the acceptance test.
Next date: 23–27 Nov 2026, onlinePrice plus VAT: €6,990New in the program
DC-21011Liquid Cooling, DC Power and High-Bandwidth Cabling
3 days · In person
For data centers with high power densities, where liquid cooling changes the design according to Part 2‑3.
Next date: 1–3 Dec 2026, Munich · GermanPrice plus VAT: €4,195
All prices plus VAT; the price is the same in every format.
- DIN EN 50600‑2‑3:2019‑08 (German edition of EN 50600‑2‑3:2019), European foreword, Clauses 1, 4, 5.1.2 to 5.1.4, 5.2, 5.2.9, 6.1, 6.2.1, 6.2.2.2 to 6.2.2.9, 6.2.3, 6.4, 8.2 to 8.7
- ISO/IEC 22237‑4:2021
- prEN 50600‑2‑3:2026 (draft, CLC/TC 215), catalog entry retrieved 17 September 2026
- DCE academy seminar practice: Data Center – General Principles (session April 2026), Data Center Passport (session January 2026), Data Center Design & Implementation (session November 2025), Deep Dive – Power Supply & Cooling (session December 2025)
Glossary terms
- Environmental control
- Cooling supply and cooling distribution
- Intake air temperature
- Computer room air conditioning unit (CRAC, CRAH)
- Passive path
- Availability Class (cooling)
- Granularity level
- Cold aisle, hot aisle, containment
- Heat load
