CPFS Facility Maintenance & Pest Control 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which condition would a health inspector cite as a major violation related to facility maintenance?
- A mop stored head-up in a dry mop sink
- Cracks and holes in walls that allow pest entry near the dishwashing area (Correct answer)
- A hand-washing sink with a slightly loose faucet handle
- Ceiling tiles that are off-white rather than white
Correct answer: Cracks and holes in walls that allow pest entry near the dishwashing area
Cracks and holes allowing pest entry near food handling areas are a major structural violation that directly threatens food safety.
Question 2: What is 'sanitation' in the context of facility maintenance, as distinguished from 'cleaning'?
- Removing visible soil and debris from surfaces
- Reducing pathogen levels on a surface to safe levels after cleaning (Correct answer)
- Applying a deodorant to mask facility odors
- Pressure-washing exterior surfaces with hot water
Correct answer: Reducing pathogen levels on a surface to safe levels after cleaning
Sanitation reduces the number of microorganisms to safe levels on a surface that has already been cleaned of visible soil.
Question 3: A pest sighting log is MOST valuable because it:
- Satisfies annual health department documentation requirements automatically
- Helps identify pest activity trends and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures (Correct answer)
- Replaces the need for a licensed pest control operator contract
- Documents liability waivers for pest-related customer complaints
Correct answer: Helps identify pest activity trends and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures
A pest sighting log tracks when, where, and what pests are observed, allowing managers to spot trends and assess whether control measures are working.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a 'harborage' that must be eliminated to control cockroach populations?
- A sealed, labeled chemical storage cabinet
- Cardboard boxes stacked against warm kitchen walls (Correct answer)
- Stainless steel shelving units with open wire construction
- A covered hand-washing sink located near the back door
Correct answer: Cardboard boxes stacked against warm kitchen walls
Cardboard boxes stacked against warm walls provide ideal cockroach harborage — dark, warm, and with corrugated hiding spaces.
Question 5: When receiving a food delivery, a foodservice manager should inspect incoming goods for signs of stored product pests by looking for:
- Evidence of price stickers or labels being altered
- Webbing, larvae, insect fragments, or damaged packaging (Correct answer)
- Excessive condensation on frozen product packaging
- Product lot codes that exceed 12 digits
Correct answer: Webbing, larvae, insect fragments, or damaged packaging
Webbing, larvae, insect fragments, and damaged packaging are signs of stored product pest infestation in incoming deliveries.
Question 6: What is the MOST appropriate action if a live cockroach is found in a food preparation area during service?
- Continue service and schedule a pest control visit for after closing
- Immediately stop food preparation in the affected area, remove the pest, clean and sanitize, and notify the manager (Correct answer)
- Apply an aerosol spray directly on the cockroach and nearby surfaces
- Place a glue board near where the cockroach was seen and resume work
Correct answer: Immediately stop food preparation in the affected area, remove the pest, clean and sanitize, and notify the manager
An active cockroach sighting during service requires stopping work in the area, removing the pest, and thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing before resuming.
Question 7: Which structural feature of a food facility is MOST critical to inspect and maintain to prevent bird entry and nesting?
- Interior ceiling tile joints
- Exterior roof vents, eaves, and loading dock openings (Correct answer)
- Walk-in cooler door gaskets
- Grease interceptors under the floor
Correct answer: Exterior roof vents, eaves, and loading dock openings
Birds commonly enter through unscreened roof vents, open eaves, and loading dock gaps, making these the highest-priority exclusion points.
CPFS Facility Maintenance & Pest Control 5
Which condition would a health inspector cite as a major violation related to facility maintenance?