CHFM Maintenance and Operations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A facility manager notices vibration in a centrifugal pump. Which condition is MOST likely indicated by vibration occurring at twice the rotational frequency?
- Cavitation
- Misalignment (Correct answer)
- Imbalance
- Bearing failure
Correct answer: Misalignment
Vibration at 2x rotational frequency (2x RPM) is a classic signature of shaft misalignment in rotating equipment.
Question 2: Which federal regulation governs the management of hazardous waste generated by healthcare facilities?
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030
- EPA RCRA (40 CFR Parts 260-270) (Correct answer)
- NFPA 99
- CMS Conditions of Participation
Correct answer: EPA RCRA (40 CFR Parts 260-270)
The EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governs the generation, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.
Question 3: What is the recommended humidity range for operating rooms according to ASHRAE 170?
- 20–40% RH
- 30–60% RH (Correct answer)
- 40–70% RH
- 50–80% RH
Correct answer: 30–60% RH
ASHRAE 170 specifies a relative humidity range of 20–60% RH for operating rooms, with 30–60% being the most commonly referenced acceptable range.
Question 4: A hospital's emergency generator fails to start automatically during a power outage. Under NFPA 110, what is the maximum allowed transfer time for the essential electrical system?
- 5 seconds
- 10 seconds (Correct answer)
- 15 seconds
- 30 seconds
Correct answer: 10 seconds
NFPA 110 requires emergency generators to restore power to the essential electrical system within 10 seconds of a utility failure.
Question 5: Which type of water system testing is required under the CMS Conditions of Participation for Legionella control?
- Annual water quality report review
- Water management program with risk assessment and monitoring (Correct answer)
- Monthly chlorine residual testing only
- Quarterly third-party water sampling
Correct answer: Water management program with risk assessment and monitoring
CMS requires healthcare facilities to implement a water management program including risk assessment, control measures, and ongoing monitoring to prevent Legionella growth.
Question 6: When performing a life safety code compliance assessment using a Statement of Conditions (SOC), a Plan for Improvement (PFI) is used to:
- Document corrected deficiencies
- Formally request interim life safety measures
- Request a time extension to correct identified deficiencies (Correct answer)
- Report fire drill results to accreditors
Correct answer: Request a time extension to correct identified deficiencies
A PFI is submitted to The Joint Commission to request additional time beyond standard deadlines to correct life safety code deficiencies.
Question 7: In medical gas systems, what is the function of zone valve boxes (ZVBs)?
- To regulate pressure at the source equipment
- To allow isolation of gas supply to specific areas without shutting the entire system (Correct answer)
- To monitor gas purity levels continuously
- To provide alarm notification at the master alarm panel
Correct answer: To allow isolation of gas supply to specific areas without shutting the entire system
Zone valve boxes allow staff to shut off medical gas supply to a specific zone or room for maintenance or emergencies without affecting the rest of the system.
CHFM Maintenance and Operations 3
A facility manager notices vibration in a centrifugal pump.
Which condition is MOST likely indicated by vibration occurring at twice the rotational frequency?