EPI CDCE Study Guide — Certified Data Centre Expert

Preparing for the EPI CDCE exam (Certified Data Centre Expert)? This is the complete study guide — six chapters covering all ten official syllabus modules, written in plain language for working data centre professionals who hold CDCS and are ready for the highest level of EPI's Design/Build track (CDCP → CDCS → CDCE).

The real exam is in two parts, and you must pass both. Part A: 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, closed-book, passing mark 45 correct. Part B: 25 open questions in 90 minutes, closed-book, passing mark 75%. It is accredited by EXIN and taken at the end of EPI's 5-day CDCE course. You must hold a valid CDCS certificate to register for the CDCE class. The certificate is valid for 3 years, after which recertification is required.

What's inside:

- Chapter 1 — Life Cycle and Design Preparation: the life cycle map (stages, phases, milestones, documents), the Statement Of Need, technology review, conceptual sizing with worked calculations (computer room space, facility space, incoming power), capacity analysis of an existing facility, investment options, site selection (fatal flaws before scoring), permits, conceptual design, budget, timeline, business case, delivery structure and team

- Chapter 2 — Design Planning and Design Development: OSRA and TFRA, the operations and maintenance review, the RFP process and vendor selection, PDR and FDR/V gates, equipment selection against functional requirements and site constraints, full design validation (power SLDs, cooling, floor plans, fire suppression), design freeze, LLTI, construction documents, BOM vs BOQ

- Chapter 3 — Acquire and Construct: purchase order requirements, shipping terms, FAT/FWT, sequencing, incoming inspection, asset management — then temporary essential services, erection, permanent services, building inspection, the snag list, and the Certificate Of Fitness

- Chapter 4 — Fit-Out and Test & Commissioning: fit-out discipline, builders cleaning vs deep cleaning, as-built drawings, IET and IPVT/IST, the common testing mistakes, and how to write test scripts with measurable criteria

- Chapter 5 — Hand-Over: hand-over requirements and the dossier, PCC, the Defect Liability Period and defect management, ICT systems installation and testing, DLP expiry and the FCC

- Chapter 6 — Retirement: retirement triggers and definitions, the retirement business case, sequencing (data disposition before any equipment release), site transfer, demolition, legal matters, the closing FCC — plus a final exam-readiness section for both papers

One honest note: EPI does NOT publish percentage weights for the syllabus modules, so no part of this guide claims one module matters more than another. Treat every module as testable, because it is.

Files included (1):

- cdce-study-guide.pdf — the complete 6-chapter guide

Want practice questions too? The Deluxe tier adds the full 500-question practice bank and the cheat sheets, plus license-key access to the online practice hub.

Independent study material. Not affiliated with or endorsed by EPI.