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. When preparing the annual facilities management budget, which approach uses prior-year actual expenses as the baseline and adjusts for anticipated changes? → Incremental budgeting
2. 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.
3. Under NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, which occupancy classification applies to most acute care hospitals? → Health care occupancy
4. Water use intensity (WUI) in healthcare facilities is typically measured in: → Gallons per square foot per year
5. Which role in HICS is responsible for tracking the location and status of all patients during a hospital emergency? → Patient Tracking Officer
6. Which document must accompany hazardous waste from the point of generation to the disposal facility? → Hazardous Waste Manifest
7. All of the following, with the exception of one, should be part of a healthcare facility fire safety program. → NFPA Code 30
8. A healthcare facility project is experiencing scope creep. Which document should the facility manager reference first to evaluate proposed changes? → Project scope statement and WBS
9. Which accreditation organization uses the ISO 9001 quality management framework as a basis for hospital accreditation? → Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
10. An equipment Inspection and Preventive Maintenance (IPM) interval is BEST determined by: → Manufacturer recommendations, risk assessment, and regulatory requirements
11. Which type of cost remains constant per unit regardless of the volume of services provided in a healthcare facility? → Variable cost
12. The START triage system classifies a patient as 'Immediate' (Red tag) based on which primary criteria? → Respiratory rate >30, radial pulse absent, or altered mental status
13. Which fire suppression system component is responsible for distributing water to sprinkler heads in a wet-pipe system? → Alarm check valve
14. What is the minimum number of drills required annually per shift for fire response in a hospital under Joint Commission standards? → One per shift per year
15. Under NFPA 101, what is the required minimum width of a corridor in a healthcare occupancy used for patient movement? → 8 feet (96 inches)
16. 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
17. In electrical systems, what does a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protect against? → Electrical shock from small current leaks to ground
18. A hospital installs occupancy sensors in administrative offices to control lighting. This is an example of: → Lighting controls for energy conservation
19. A healthcare facility wants to reduce peak demand charges. Which strategy is MOST effective? → Load shifting using thermal energy storage
20. 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
21. The four phases of emergency management that guide healthcare facility planning are: → Mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery
22. A hospital project manager is managing multiple concurrent renovation projects. Which tool BEST helps prioritize resources when schedule conflicts arise? → Resource histogram and resource leveling analysis
23. Which ASHRAE standard addresses ventilation requirements for healthcare facilities including minimum air changes per hour for operating rooms? → ASHRAE 170
24. Which CMS Condition of Participation requires hospitals to maintain fire safety equipment and building features? → CoP §482.41 — Physical Environment
25. What is included in a CMMS (Computer Maintenance Management System)? → Part list and diagrams from manual
26. All of the following responsibilities regarding fire safety fall under the purview of the facility manager EXCEPT: → Knowing where specific monitoring panels are located
27. 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
28. Which of the following is NOT a temporary measure to ensure life safety? → Fume hoods
29. In healthcare fire safety, what does the acronym RACE stand for? → Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish or Evacuate
30. What NFPA standard governs the installation and maintenance of emergency and standby power systems in healthcare facilities? → NFPA 110