DCDC-002 BICSI Data Center Design Consultant DCDC Exam 100 Correct Questions
and Answers 2026
1. According to ANSI/BICSI 002-2022, what is the recommended minimum ceiling
height for a data center?
A) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
B) 10 feet (3.0 meters)
C) 12 feet (3.7 meters)
D) 14 feet (4.3 meters)
Answer: C) 12 feet (3.7 meters)
Explanation: BICSI 002 recommends a minimum clear ceiling height of 12 feet (3.7
meters) to accommodate raised floor plenum, overhead cable trays, fire suppression
systems, and adequate air circulation for cooling.
2. What does the acronym "PUE" stand for in data center energy efficiency metrics?
A) Power Usage Efficiency
B) Power Utilization Effectiveness
C) Power Usage Effectiveness
D) Power Utilization Efficiency
Answer: C) Power Usage Effectiveness
Explanation: PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) is a metric developed by The Green Grid,
defined as Total Facility Energy divided by IT Equipment Energy. A PUE of 1.0 represents
perfect efficiency (all power used by IT). Lower PUE values indicate better energy efficiency.
3. Which Tier level in the Uptime Institute's Tier Classification System requires dual
power feeds to each IT rack?
A) Tier I
B) Tier II
C) Tier III
D) Tier IV
Answer: C) Tier III
Explanation: Tier III (Concurrently Maintainable) requires that every component of the data
center infrastructure can be removed from service for maintenance or replacement
without affecting IT operations. This includes dual power paths (feeds) to each rack.
4. What is the primary purpose of a "hot aisle/cold aisle" configuration?
A) To reduce fire risk
B) To improve cooling efficiency by separating intake and exhaust air streams
C) To enhance physical security
D) To simplify cable management
,Answer: B) To improve cooling efficiency by separating intake and exhaust air streams
Explanation: In a hot aisle/cold aisle layout, server racks are arranged so that server fronts
(cold air intakes) face one aisle (cold aisle), and server backs (hot air exhausts) face the
opposite aisle (hot aisle). This prevents hot exhaust air from mixing with cold intake air,
dramatically improving cooling efficiency.
5. According to BICSI recommendations, what is the maximum recommended
distance for a 10GBASE-SR optical fiber link using OM4 multimode fiber?
A) 100 meters
B) 300 meters
C) 400 meters
D) 550 meters
Answer: C) 400 meters
Explanation: For 10 Gigabit Ethernet over OM4 laser-optimized 50/125 µm multimode
fiber, the maximum reach is 400 meters, per IEEE 802.3ae and TIA-942 standards.
6. Which fire suppression system is commonly used in data centers where water
damage must be avoided?
A) Wet pipe sprinkler
B) Dry pipe sprinkler
C) Clean agent (e.g., FM-200, Novec 1230)
D) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Answer: C) Clean agent (e.g., FM-200, Novec 1230)
Explanation: Clean agent systems extinguish fire through chemical means without leaving
residue or causing significant damage to sensitive electronic equipment. They are
electrically non-conductive and safe for occupied spaces when used properly.
7. What does the term "N" refer to in an "N+1" redundancy configuration?
A) The normal load
B) The number of backup systems
C) The minimum number of components required to handle the load
D) The network capacity
Answer: C) The minimum number of components required to handle the load
Explanation: "N" represents the minimum number of components (e.g., UPS modules,
chillers, generators) needed to support the IT load. "N+1" means there is one additional
component beyond the minimum required, providing a single component failure tolerance.
8. Which of the following is a requirement for a Tier IV data center according to the
Uptime Institute?
A) 99.671% availability
,B) Concurrently maintainable
C) Fault tolerant
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Tier IV (Fault Tolerant) requires 99.995% availability (approx. 0.4 hours
downtime/year), is concurrently maintainable, and is fault tolerant, meaning it can sustain
at least one worst-case unplanned failure or event without impacting IT operations.
9. What is the primary purpose of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system?
A) To generate primary power
B) To provide ride-through power during utility outages until generators start
C) To replace utility power completely
D) To regulate voltage only
Answer: B) To provide ride-through power during utility outages until generators start
Explanation: The primary role of a UPS is to provide seamless, conditioned power to
critical IT loads during a utility power failure, bridging the gap (typically 5-15 minutes) until
backup generators can start, stabilize, and assume the load.
10. According to ANSI/TIA-942-B, what is the minimum recommended separation
between data center entrance facilities for redundancy?
A) 50 feet (15 meters)
B) 100 feet (30 meters)
C) 500 feet (150 meters)
D) 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
Answer: D) 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
Explanation: TIA-942 recommends that redundant entrance facilities (for diverse carrier
pathways) be separated by a minimum of 1 mile (1.6 km) to ensure they are not subject to
the same physical risks (e.g., backhoe cuts, natural disasters).
11. What does "ASHRAE" stand for and what is its relevance to data centers?
A) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; sets
environmental guidelines (temperature, humidity) for data centers
B) Association for Standardized Heating and Refrigeration; regulates HVAC equipment
C) American Safety and Health Regulations for Electrical Environments; sets safety codes
D) Association for Server Health and Reliability in Enterprises; sets uptime standards
Answer: A) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers;
sets environmental guidelines (temperature, humidity) for data centers
Explanation: ASHRAE's Technical Committee 9.9 publishes the "Thermal Guidelines for
, Data Processing Environments," which defines recommended and allowable temperature
and humidity ranges for IT equipment, critical for efficient cooling design.
12. In a raised floor data center, what is the typical recommended plenum depth for
adequate airflow?
A) 12 inches (300 mm)
B) 18 inches (450 mm)
C) 24 inches (600 mm)
D) 36 inches (900 mm)
Answer: C) 24 inches (600 mm)
Explanation: A 24-inch (600 mm) raised floor plenum is a common standard. This depth
provides sufficient space for underfloor cable routing and, more importantly, acts as an air
plenum to distribute cold air to perforated tiles with minimal static pressure loss.
13. What is the primary difference between "precision air conditioning" (PAC) and
standard commercial HVAC?
A) PAC is less expensive
B) PAC provides closer control of temperature and humidity and higher sensible heat ratios
C) Standard HVAC has better filtration
D) PAC is only for heating
Answer: B) PAC provides closer control of temperature and humidity and higher
sensible heat ratios
Explanation: Precision air conditioners are designed specifically for the high sensible heat
loads (heat from equipment, not from humidity changes) and strict environmental control
requirements of data centers. They offer tighter temperature (±1°F) and humidity (±5% RH)
control and continuous operation.
14. Which of the following is NOT a recognized data center topology in TIA-942?
A) Centralized
B) Distributed
C) Hierarchical Star
D) Mesh
Answer: D) Mesh
Explanation: TIA-942 primarily endorses a Hierarchical Star topology for the structured
cabling system within a data center, consisting of Main Distribution Area (MDA), Horizontal
Distribution Area (HDA), and Equipment Distribution Area (EDA). "Mesh" is a network
routing topology, not a recognized cabling topology in this standard.
15. What is the purpose of a "Transfer Switch" in a data center power distribution
system?
and Answers 2026
1. According to ANSI/BICSI 002-2022, what is the recommended minimum ceiling
height for a data center?
A) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
B) 10 feet (3.0 meters)
C) 12 feet (3.7 meters)
D) 14 feet (4.3 meters)
Answer: C) 12 feet (3.7 meters)
Explanation: BICSI 002 recommends a minimum clear ceiling height of 12 feet (3.7
meters) to accommodate raised floor plenum, overhead cable trays, fire suppression
systems, and adequate air circulation for cooling.
2. What does the acronym "PUE" stand for in data center energy efficiency metrics?
A) Power Usage Efficiency
B) Power Utilization Effectiveness
C) Power Usage Effectiveness
D) Power Utilization Efficiency
Answer: C) Power Usage Effectiveness
Explanation: PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) is a metric developed by The Green Grid,
defined as Total Facility Energy divided by IT Equipment Energy. A PUE of 1.0 represents
perfect efficiency (all power used by IT). Lower PUE values indicate better energy efficiency.
3. Which Tier level in the Uptime Institute's Tier Classification System requires dual
power feeds to each IT rack?
A) Tier I
B) Tier II
C) Tier III
D) Tier IV
Answer: C) Tier III
Explanation: Tier III (Concurrently Maintainable) requires that every component of the data
center infrastructure can be removed from service for maintenance or replacement
without affecting IT operations. This includes dual power paths (feeds) to each rack.
4. What is the primary purpose of a "hot aisle/cold aisle" configuration?
A) To reduce fire risk
B) To improve cooling efficiency by separating intake and exhaust air streams
C) To enhance physical security
D) To simplify cable management
,Answer: B) To improve cooling efficiency by separating intake and exhaust air streams
Explanation: In a hot aisle/cold aisle layout, server racks are arranged so that server fronts
(cold air intakes) face one aisle (cold aisle), and server backs (hot air exhausts) face the
opposite aisle (hot aisle). This prevents hot exhaust air from mixing with cold intake air,
dramatically improving cooling efficiency.
5. According to BICSI recommendations, what is the maximum recommended
distance for a 10GBASE-SR optical fiber link using OM4 multimode fiber?
A) 100 meters
B) 300 meters
C) 400 meters
D) 550 meters
Answer: C) 400 meters
Explanation: For 10 Gigabit Ethernet over OM4 laser-optimized 50/125 µm multimode
fiber, the maximum reach is 400 meters, per IEEE 802.3ae and TIA-942 standards.
6. Which fire suppression system is commonly used in data centers where water
damage must be avoided?
A) Wet pipe sprinkler
B) Dry pipe sprinkler
C) Clean agent (e.g., FM-200, Novec 1230)
D) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Answer: C) Clean agent (e.g., FM-200, Novec 1230)
Explanation: Clean agent systems extinguish fire through chemical means without leaving
residue or causing significant damage to sensitive electronic equipment. They are
electrically non-conductive and safe for occupied spaces when used properly.
7. What does the term "N" refer to in an "N+1" redundancy configuration?
A) The normal load
B) The number of backup systems
C) The minimum number of components required to handle the load
D) The network capacity
Answer: C) The minimum number of components required to handle the load
Explanation: "N" represents the minimum number of components (e.g., UPS modules,
chillers, generators) needed to support the IT load. "N+1" means there is one additional
component beyond the minimum required, providing a single component failure tolerance.
8. Which of the following is a requirement for a Tier IV data center according to the
Uptime Institute?
A) 99.671% availability
,B) Concurrently maintainable
C) Fault tolerant
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Tier IV (Fault Tolerant) requires 99.995% availability (approx. 0.4 hours
downtime/year), is concurrently maintainable, and is fault tolerant, meaning it can sustain
at least one worst-case unplanned failure or event without impacting IT operations.
9. What is the primary purpose of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system?
A) To generate primary power
B) To provide ride-through power during utility outages until generators start
C) To replace utility power completely
D) To regulate voltage only
Answer: B) To provide ride-through power during utility outages until generators start
Explanation: The primary role of a UPS is to provide seamless, conditioned power to
critical IT loads during a utility power failure, bridging the gap (typically 5-15 minutes) until
backup generators can start, stabilize, and assume the load.
10. According to ANSI/TIA-942-B, what is the minimum recommended separation
between data center entrance facilities for redundancy?
A) 50 feet (15 meters)
B) 100 feet (30 meters)
C) 500 feet (150 meters)
D) 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
Answer: D) 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
Explanation: TIA-942 recommends that redundant entrance facilities (for diverse carrier
pathways) be separated by a minimum of 1 mile (1.6 km) to ensure they are not subject to
the same physical risks (e.g., backhoe cuts, natural disasters).
11. What does "ASHRAE" stand for and what is its relevance to data centers?
A) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; sets
environmental guidelines (temperature, humidity) for data centers
B) Association for Standardized Heating and Refrigeration; regulates HVAC equipment
C) American Safety and Health Regulations for Electrical Environments; sets safety codes
D) Association for Server Health and Reliability in Enterprises; sets uptime standards
Answer: A) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers;
sets environmental guidelines (temperature, humidity) for data centers
Explanation: ASHRAE's Technical Committee 9.9 publishes the "Thermal Guidelines for
, Data Processing Environments," which defines recommended and allowable temperature
and humidity ranges for IT equipment, critical for efficient cooling design.
12. In a raised floor data center, what is the typical recommended plenum depth for
adequate airflow?
A) 12 inches (300 mm)
B) 18 inches (450 mm)
C) 24 inches (600 mm)
D) 36 inches (900 mm)
Answer: C) 24 inches (600 mm)
Explanation: A 24-inch (600 mm) raised floor plenum is a common standard. This depth
provides sufficient space for underfloor cable routing and, more importantly, acts as an air
plenum to distribute cold air to perforated tiles with minimal static pressure loss.
13. What is the primary difference between "precision air conditioning" (PAC) and
standard commercial HVAC?
A) PAC is less expensive
B) PAC provides closer control of temperature and humidity and higher sensible heat ratios
C) Standard HVAC has better filtration
D) PAC is only for heating
Answer: B) PAC provides closer control of temperature and humidity and higher
sensible heat ratios
Explanation: Precision air conditioners are designed specifically for the high sensible heat
loads (heat from equipment, not from humidity changes) and strict environmental control
requirements of data centers. They offer tighter temperature (±1°F) and humidity (±5% RH)
control and continuous operation.
14. Which of the following is NOT a recognized data center topology in TIA-942?
A) Centralized
B) Distributed
C) Hierarchical Star
D) Mesh
Answer: D) Mesh
Explanation: TIA-942 primarily endorses a Hierarchical Star topology for the structured
cabling system within a data center, consisting of Main Distribution Area (MDA), Horizontal
Distribution Area (HDA), and Equipment Distribution Area (EDA). "Mesh" is a network
routing topology, not a recognized cabling topology in this standard.
15. What is the purpose of a "Transfer Switch" in a data center power distribution
system?
