21st Century Technologies
Book a visitTalk to us

What DigitalHub's Uptime Tier IV design certification actually means

The registry names DigitalHub DHDX's certification as a Tier IV Certification of Design Documents. This explainer sets out what that wording does and does not allow us to say.

21st Century Technologies2 min read

Few phrases in the data-centre trade are repeated as loosely as a Tier level. The wording matters, and in DigitalHub's case it is specific: Uptime Institute's registry lists a Tier IV Certification of Design Documents.

What the registry says

The registry entry for 21st Century Digital Hub Data Centre 1, DHDX, in Lagos names the certification as a Tier IV Certification of Design Documents. The type of certification is part of its name, and it refers to design documents. The registry displays a Certification of Constructed Facility, a differently named certification, for facilities that hold one. Neither of the two 21CTL entries displays one.

What the registry lists for 21CTL

  • 21st Century Digital Hub Data Centre 1, DHDX, Lagos: Tier IV Certification of Design Documents.
  • Konet Data Centre, DC01 and DC03: Tier III Certification of Design Documents.

How to describe it

The accurate sentence is the registry's own: Tier IV Certification of Design Documents from Uptime Institute. Shortening it to say the building simply is Tier IV drops the certification type, and the type is the substance.

Three ways to say it

  • Complete: Tier IV Certification of Design Documents from Uptime Institute, for 21st Century Digital Hub Data Centre 1, DHDX, in Lagos.
  • Incomplete: DHDX is Tier IV. This drops the certification type, so a reader may assume the building itself was certified.
  • Misleading: describing the facility as certified as built. The registry entries we hold name design documents.

Questions to ask of any Tier claim

  • Which certification type is named: design documents or constructed facility?
  • Which facility, named exactly as the registry names it?
  • Which Tier level, and as of what date?
  • Does the claim describe the design documents, or the building as built?

Sources and attribution

This article draws on the sources below. Statements made by Wale Ajisebutu or by the company are attributed in the text and are not presented as independently established.

Last reviewed . Spotted something that is out of date or wrong? Tell us.

Keep reading