CFM Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What is the recommended minimum ambient light level for general office task work according to IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society)? → 30 foot-candles
2. What is a primary consideration when planning space utilization in a facility? → Ensuring that the space meets the functional needs of occupants
3. A facility manager is reviewing a contract's 'force majeure' clause. This clause is designed to: → Excuse non-performance when extraordinary events beyond either party's control occur
4. Which standard provides the most widely recognized framework for emergency management in the United States? → NIMS (National Incident Management System)
5. During a facilities project kickoff meeting, what is the most important communication goal? → Aligning all stakeholders on scope, roles, and expectations
6. Which document assigns specific emergency response roles and responsibilities to facility staff? → The Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
7. What is active listening in the context of FM stakeholder communication? → Fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to what a stakeholder says
8. What does a 'churn rate' measure in the context of workplace facility management? → The percentage of the workforce that moves, adds, or changes workstations in a year
9. Which approach BEST describes competitive sealed bidding in public-sector facility procurement? → Bids are publicly opened, and award goes to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder
10. A facility manager needs to select a contractor for a major renovation. Which procurement method offers the best cost transparency? → Competitive sealed bidding (hard bid)
11. What is the primary role of a Certified Facility Manager in facilities operations? → Overseeing the maintenance and operation of building systems
12. A facility manager wants to ensure continuous competition and price benchmarking for ongoing services. The BEST contract strategy is to use: → Short-term contracts with option years rather than long fixed-term agreements
13. A facility manager wants to reduce potable water consumption. Which strategy has the highest impact in a commercial office building? → Installing low-flow fixtures in restrooms and upgrading cooling tower water management
14. Which of the following maintenance strategies is considered the most proactive, utilizing condition-monitoring tools to forecast equipment failures? → Predictive Maintenance (PdM)
15. Which of the following is a direct benefit of implementing a waste diversion program in a facility? → Reduced landfill costs and lower environmental impact
16. A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) in a facility service contract is BEST described as: → A measurable metric used to evaluate vendor performance against contractual obligations
17. A facility manager is asked to calculate the seats-to-headcount ratio for a 500-person company using 400 workstations. What is the ratio? → 0.8:1
18. Under ASHRAE 62.1, minimum ventilation rates for office spaces are based primarily on which two factors? → Occupant density and floor area
19. Which ADA-mandated minimum clear floor width is required for accessible corridors in US commercial buildings? → 36 inches
20. What is the primary function of the U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool for a facility manager? → To benchmark and track the building's energy, water, and waste data over time.
21. A facility manager implementing a space consolidation strategy primarily aims to: → Reduce total occupancy costs by shrinking the real estate footprint
22. Which standard provides guidelines for accessible parking space dimensions and quantities in US commercial facilities? → ADA Standards for Accessible Design
23. Which WELL Building Standard feature directly addresses thermal comfort and its impact on occupant productivity? → WELL Feature T01 – Thermal Performance
24. Which financial concept describes the principle that money available today is worth more than the same amount in the future? → Time Value of Money
25. A performance bond in a facilities construction or service contract guarantees that: → The contractor will complete the project according to contract terms
26. Which combination of education and work experience satisfies the minimum eligibility requirement to sit for the IFMA CFM examination? → A bachelor's degree plus at least 3 years of facility management experience
27. Which document formally records the planned versus actual performance of an FM service over a reporting period? → Performance scorecard
28. What is the primary purpose of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) in facility management communications? → To define expected service standards and response times between FM and clients
29. A facility manager receives conflicting instructions from two senior leaders. What is the best first step? → Document both instructions and escalate the conflict for clarification
30. Which IFMA tool is specifically designed to help facility managers collect and compare operational cost and utilization data? → IFMA Benchmarking Survey