tia-942 (RC)
The TIA-942 Ready Certification serves as an endorsement that a product, typically a modular data center such as an Edge Data Center/Module or a Container-based data center product, has been meticulously designed in accordance with the stipulations of the TIA-942 standard for the specific Rating level. The TIA-942 Ready Certification entails a comprehensive assessment of all elements within the module's scope to ensure alignment with the TIA-942 requirements pertaining to that specific scope. This certification guarantees that upon deployment of the modular data center solution in the designated environment, it will indeed conform to the targeted Rating level. The TIA-942 Ready Certification confers several notable benefits to manufacturers of modular data center solutions and their clients:
Pre-Validation of TIA-942 Conformity at Manufacturer Level: It offers a pre-validation of the modular data center's adherence to the TIA-942 standard directly at the manufacturer level.
Streamlined Certification Process: The certification time is significantly reduced due to the prior pre-validation process, facilitating a more efficient certification procedure.
Cost Savings for Comprehensive Certification: Manufacturers and customers can enjoy reduced costs for acquiring both the comprehensive TIA-942 design (DCDV) and site/facility (DCCC) certifications.
EPI stands out as the global pioneer and presently the sole TIA-942 CAB endorsed under the official TIA-942 Accreditation Scheme by TIA, empowered to provide data center conformity audit services in accordance with the TIA-942 standard. Moreover, EPI holds the status of a Certification Body (CB).
About TIA-942
TIA-942 serves as the paramount standard for telecommunication infrastructure within data centers. However, its scope goes beyond telecommunications, encompassing critical factors that contribute to the resilience of a data center. The evaluation process for compliance involves four fundamental categories:
- Architecture (Including aspects like fire safety, physical security, and site location)
- Electrical Systems
- Mechanical Systems
- Telecommunications Infrastructure
Each of these categories encompasses a range of considerations that a data center undergoes to ensure adherence to the standard.
Rating Levels**
TIA-942 delineates four distinct rating levels in which data centers can be classified. The following summaries provide an overview of each rating level. For comprehensive details, reference should be made to the TIA-942 standard.
Rated-1: Fundamental Site Infrastructure This level corresponds to a data center featuring singular capacity components and a sole, non-redundant distribution path that serves the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) equipment. While offering limited protection against physical incidents, this level forms the basic infrastructure.
Rated-2: Redundant Capacity Component Site Infrastructure At this level, the data center incorporates redundant capacity components along with a single, non-redundant distribution path serving the ICT equipment. The enhancement in protection against physical events characterizes this rating.
Rated-3: Simultaneously Maintainable Site Infrastructure A data center qualifying for this rating boasts multiple independent distribution paths that cater to the ICT equipment. While it's permissible for one distribution path to serve the equipment while the other remains on standby for maintenance, the standard practice is to utilize both paths concurrently. The concurrent maintainability aspect signifies that all capacity components, including elements within the distribution path, can be replaced, serviced, or removed without disrupting ICT capabilities for end-users. This level provides safeguarding against most physical incidents.
Rated-4: Fault-Tolerant Site Infrastructure The highest rating level involves a data center with numerous independent active distribution paths for the ICT equipment. This architecture permits concurrent maintainability and is resilient enough to withstand a single fault anywhere in the setup without causing downtime. The data center is equipped to autonomously detect and isolate faults while continuing operations. It offers protection against nearly all physical events.
**Note: The classification outcomes prescribed by TIA align closely with those of the Uptime Tier levels. For instance, both TIA's Rated-3 and Uptime's Tier-III denote Concurrently Maintainable data centers.