CMI Management of Facilities & Resources 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which energy-saving practice in custodial operations reduces electricity use without compromising cleaning effectiveness?
- Using higher-wattage floor machines for faster cleaning
- Scheduling high-energy equipment use during off-peak hours (Correct answer)
- Running all equipment simultaneously to finish faster
- Leaving lights on overnight for security
Correct answer: Scheduling high-energy equipment use during off-peak hours
Scheduling energy-intensive equipment during off-peak utility hours reduces demand charges and overall electricity costs.
Question 2: A custodial supervisor receives multiple complaints about restroom odors despite regular cleaning. What is the MOST likely cause?
- Insufficient lighting in the restroom
- Inadequate dwell time or improper disinfectant application (Correct answer)
- Using too many paper towels
- Not enough hand soap dispensers
Correct answer: Inadequate dwell time or improper disinfectant application
Odor-causing bacteria survive when disinfectants are not given adequate dwell time or are improperly diluted, leaving surfaces insufficiently sanitized.
Question 3: What is the primary reason custodial managers track absenteeism rates among staff?
- To comply with union agreements
- To identify staffing gaps that affect service delivery and plan coverage (Correct answer)
- To calculate payroll deductions
- To report to building ownership on employee performance
Correct answer: To identify staffing gaps that affect service delivery and plan coverage
Tracking absenteeism allows managers to identify patterns, arrange coverage in advance, and prevent service quality from declining due to understaffing.
Question 4: Which floor care task is performed to restore gloss and density to an existing floor finish without adding new coats?
- Stripping
- Burnishing (Correct answer)
- Scrubbing
- Mopping
Correct answer: Burnishing
Burnishing uses a high-speed floor machine (1,000–3,000 RPM) to generate heat that melts and smooths the existing finish, restoring shine.
Question 5: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), custodial staff must ensure that floor mats and cleaning equipment do not:
- Obstruct fire suppression equipment
- Block accessible routes or paths of travel (Correct answer)
- Exceed a certain weight limit
- Be stored in unlocked rooms
Correct answer: Block accessible routes or paths of travel
ADA requires accessible routes to remain clear, so custodial equipment and mats must never obstruct pathways used by individuals with disabilities.
Question 6: Which approach BEST describes a 'team cleaning' model in custodial operations?
- Each worker is responsible for all tasks in one zone
- Workers specialize in one task type and rotate through the entire building (Correct answer)
- All workers clean together in one large area at a time
- Supervisors perform quality checks while workers clean independently
Correct answer: Workers specialize in one task type and rotate through the entire building
Team cleaning assigns each worker a specialized role (e.g., light duty, restrooms, vacuuming) and rotates them through all areas, increasing efficiency.
Question 7: When evaluating a new cleaning chemical for facility use, which consideration is MOST important from an environmental and occupant health standpoint?
- The product's fragrance and color
- VOC content, biodegradability, and third-party green certifications (Correct answer)
- The size and weight of the container
- Whether the vendor offers bulk discounts
Correct answer: VOC content, biodegradability, and third-party green certifications
VOC content, biodegradability, and green certifications (such as Green Seal or EPA Safer Choice) indicate reduced environmental impact and occupant health risks.
CMI Management of Facilities & Resources 5
Which energy-saving practice in custodial operations reduces electricity use without compromising cleaning effectiveness?