CHFM Exam Dumps - Certified Health Care Facility Manager (CHFM)

Scale forms where water is in direct contact with heated surfaces. In steam boilers, that location is below the water line, where dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium, silica) precipitate and adhere to heat-transfer surfaces as scale. This reduces efficiency and can cause overheating of boiler tubes.

B. below the water line (Correct): Primary area where water meets heat-transfer surfaces; mineral deposits form here.

A. huddling chamber: This is part of a safety relief valve, not a surface for scale buildup.

C. weld above the water line: There is no continuous water exposure above the water line, so scale does not accumulate there.

D. blowdown valve: This is used to remove sludge/sediment, not a typical location for scale accumulation.

The Utilities Management standard under The Joint Commission’s Environment of Care requires healthcare organizations to manage utility systems—including water supply systems—to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections caused by waterborne pathogens such as Legionella. This includes monitoring, maintenance, and water management programs.

B: Safety Management deals with physical and occupational safety.

C: Medical Equipment Management relates to device safety and maintenance.

D: Hazardous Materials and Waste Management applies to chemical and biological waste handling, not waterborne pathogens.

Hospitals must have a Type 1 Essential Electrical System (EES) as required by NFPA 99. Type 1 systems provide at least two separate branches: the Life Safety branch and the Critical branch, ensuring continuous power to essential life support, patient care, and safety functions during utility outages.

Type 2 systems (for smaller facilities) have fewer requirements.

Type A and B are not classifications under NFPA 99.

A medical equipment management plan must include:

Problem/failure/user error data collection for trending and corrective action.

Performance standards to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Annual review of the plan to maintain compliance and effectiveness.

A computerized inventory system is a useful tool but not mandated by The Joint Commission or CMS; paper-based systems may still be acceptable if compliant.

NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) is structured around occupancy classifications (healthcare, business, assembly, residential, etc.). Determining the correct occupancy type is the first step because all subsequent requirements—such as egress, fire protection features, and construction criteria—are based on occupancy classification. Construction type, deficiencies, and location are important, but they are addressed only after occupancy is defined.

NFPA 80 (Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives) sets requirements for fire door construction and installation. It specifies that the maximum undercut clearance is 3/4 inch unless otherwise tested and listed. Greater clearances compromise the integrity of the fire barrier.

Replacement of major building systems (e.g., chillers, boilers, roofs) falls under capital expenditures because these items are large, non-recurring, and add to or extend the life of facility assets. The capital budget accounts for these costs, which are not part of the day-to-day operations budget.

Correct: Capital budget (A) – Covers replacement of major equipment and infrastructure.

Incorrect:

B. Project fund – May finance special projects but not part of standard budgeting categories.

C. Depreciation fund – An accounting mechanism, not typically a direct budget line for replacement.

D. Operating budget – Covers recurring expenses like utilities, maintenance, and repairs, not full replacements.

In healthcare facility maintenance, institutional standards are established to improve consistency, reliability, and efficiency in operations. Ball valves are often chosen over gate valves because they are available in standardized sizes, have fewer variations, and simplify inventory management. This allows facility departments to reduce the number of spare parts stocked and streamline repairs. The CHFM exam reference materials, including ASHE/AHA guidelines, highlight that “ease of inventory control and standardization” is a common justification for selecting one type of valve as a facility standard.