CHFM Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which of the following is a critical Human Resources standard required by The Joint Commission (TJC) for all hospital staff, including facilities personnel? → A formal process for verifying competency, orientation, and ongoing education.
2. Water use intensity (WUI) in healthcare facilities is typically measured in: → Gallons per square foot per year
3. Which document must accompany hazardous waste from the point of generation to the disposal facility? → Hazardous Waste Manifest
4. All of the following, with the exception of one, should be part of a healthcare facility fire safety program. → NFPA Code 30
5. Which accreditation organization uses the ISO 9001 quality management framework as a basis for hospital accreditation? → Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
6. An equipment Inspection and Preventive Maintenance (IPM) interval is BEST determined by: → Manufacturer recommendations, risk assessment, and regulatory requirements
7. Under NFPA 101, what is the required minimum width of a corridor in a healthcare occupancy used for patient movement? → 8 feet (96 inches)
8. When a healthcare facility receives a Medical Device Safety Alert from the FDA or manufacturer, the FIRST action of the facility manager should be: → Assess the facility's inventory to determine if affected devices are present
9. In electrical systems, what does a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protect against? → Electrical shock from small current leaks to ground
10. A hospital installs occupancy sensors in administrative offices to control lighting. This is an example of: → Lighting controls for energy conservation
11. A healthcare facility wants to reduce peak demand charges. Which strategy is MOST effective? → Load shifting using thermal energy storage
12. A healthcare facility manager discovers penetrations in a 2-hour rated fire barrier. What immediate action is required? → Implement Interim Life Safety Measures (ILSMs) and repair the penetrations promptly
13. The four phases of emergency management that guide healthcare facility planning are: → Mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery
14. What is included in a CMMS (Computer Maintenance Management System)? → Part list and diagrams from manual
15. All of the following responsibilities regarding fire safety fall under the purview of the facility manager EXCEPT: → Knowing where specific monitoring panels are located
16. What is the purpose of a request for information (RFI) in construction project management? → To formally ask the designer or owner to clarify or interpret a drawing or specification
17. Which of the following is NOT a temporary measure to ensure life safety? → Fume hoods
18. In healthcare fire safety, what does the acronym RACE stand for? → Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish or Evacuate
19. What NFPA standard governs the installation and maintenance of emergency and standby power systems in healthcare facilities? → NFPA 110
20. Under NFPA 99, flammable and combustible liquids stored in a healthcare facility laboratory must be kept in: → An approved flammable liquids storage cabinet or flammable liquids storage room
21. What does a continuity of operations plan (COOP) address that a basic emergency response plan does not? → Sustaining essential functions over an extended disruption lasting days to weeks
22. Which regulation requires healthcare facilities to report releases of reportable quantities (RQs) of hazardous substances to the National Response Center? → CERCLA Section 103
23. Under the EPA's P-listed hazardous waste rules, which of the following drugs commonly used in hospitals is classified as a P-listed (acutely hazardous) waste? → Epinephrine
24. What is the purpose of performing a megohm (insulation resistance) test on electrical motors in a healthcare facility? → To detect insulation degradation that could lead to motor failure or electrical fault
25. A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) in a hospital biomedical department is primarily used to: → Track work orders, maintenance history, and compliance status for equipment
26. A facility manager wants to improve employee retention. Which strategy has been shown to be most effective long-term? → Providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement
27. What is the primary purpose of conducting Environment of Care (EC) rounds in a healthcare facility? → To proactively identify and correct physical environment hazards before they cause harm
28. Which sustainability certification program is most widely used for evaluating the green performance of healthcare facility construction projects in the US? → LEED
29. In a hospital combined heat and power (CHP) system, what is the primary advantage over grid-supplied electricity? → CHP captures waste heat from power generation, increasing overall efficiency
30. Which environmental standard requires healthcare facilities to properly manage and dispose of regulated medical waste (RMW)? → State health department regulations implementing CDC and EPA guidance