ASHE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ASHE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which type of healthcare organization operates on a not-for-profit basis and is owned by a religious or community group? → Voluntary/nonprofit hospital
2. What is the recommended frequency for preventive maintenance on a defibrillator used in a general acute care hospital? → Every 6 months
3. Which document outlines the standards for fire protection in healthcare occupancies and is adopted by most states? → NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
4. What is the minimum required transfer time to emergency power for life safety systems in a healthcare facility per NFPA 99? → 10 seconds
5. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom, 29 CFR 1910.1200) requires Safety Data Sheets to follow which international format? → GHS 16-section format
6. Which federal regulation mandates that healthcare facilities establish and maintain a written fire safety management plan? → CMS Conditions of Participation 42 CFR 482.41
7. Under the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which Scope applies to a hospital's purchased electricity consumption? → Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy)
8. What is the primary purpose of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) in a patient care wet location? → To interrupt power within milliseconds when leakage current exceeds a safe threshold
9. Under The Joint Commission's Environment of Care standards, which of the following is NOT one of the six management plans required? → Pandemic Response Management Plan
10. Under The Joint Commission's Environment of Care standards, which of the following requires a written risk assessment before maintenance activities begin? → Construction and renovation projects affecting infection control
11. A Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) is used in healthcare compliance planning primarily to determine what? → Backlog of deferred maintenance and capital investment needs
12. Under ASHE financial stewardship principles, what is the recommended approach when actual maintenance expenditures consistently fall significantly below budget? → Investigate whether necessary PM tasks are being deferred, creating future liability
13. What is the function of a 'sentinel event review' as it relates to healthcare facility operations? → An investigation into unexpected equipment failures that caused or risked patient harm
14. According to ASHRAE 170, what minimum number of total air changes per hour is required in an operating room? → 20
15. What is a best practice for maintaining life-saving medical devices? → Perform regular testing and calibration
16. Which organization publishes the standards for sterilization processes that healthcare facilities must follow per Joint Commission requirements? → AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation)
17. In a hospital's medical gas system, what is the maximum allowable pressure drop across a zone valve when tested per NFPA 99? → 5 psi
18. Which standard governs the design and installation of medical gas and vacuum systems in healthcare facilities? → NFPA 99 Chapter 5
19. Which NFPA standard governs the installation of fire alarm systems in healthcare facilities? → NFPA 72
20. Under NFPA 99, which pressure range defines a 'Category 1' piped medical vacuum system? → At least 12 inches Hg vacuum at the inlet
21. Which maintenance strategy involves replacing components at fixed time intervals regardless of their condition? → Preventive maintenance
22. Under NFPA 99, what is the minimum number of hours that a hospital's essential electrical system (EES) generator must be able to run without refueling? → 72 hours
23. The 'defend in place' strategy used in healthcare occupancies is supported by which NFPA 101 requirement? → Horizontal exits and smoke compartmentalization
24. What is the primary purpose of a building commissioning process in a healthcare facility? → To verify that systems are installed and operating as designed
25. Under NFPA 101, a horizontal exit in a healthcare occupancy must have a fire-rated barrier with what minimum rating? → 2 hours
26. What is the primary reason healthcare facilities maintain a 'critical spare parts' inventory? → To ensure rapid replacement of failed components and minimize downtime of critical systems
27. What is the maximum gap permitted at the bottom of a fire-rated corridor door in a healthcare occupancy? → 3/4 inch
28. In a hospital, which area requires the highest number of air changes per hour (ACH) according to ASHRAE 170? → Operating rooms
29. Under GAAP, how should a major HVAC system replacement that extends the useful life of a building be recorded on financial statements? → Capitalized as a fixed asset and depreciated over its useful life
30. Why is water conservation important in health care facilities? → Reduces costs and ensures sustainability