Free AHA CHFM Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

In the schematic design phase, the design team establishes overall building configuration, circulation, and code-driven life safety concepts, including means of egress. Life Safety Code requirements (occupant loads, exit access, number and arrangement of exits, travel distances) are fundamental constraints that shape the plan early; they must be set before moving into design development where specific fixtures and detailed equipment specifications are finalized. Contract “general conditions” are part of procurement/contract documents later, not schematic design.

Per NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, soiled linen and trash containers greater than 32 gallons are not permitted in patient rooms or at nurse stations. Containers larger than this must be located in designated hazardous areas with proper fire protection.

C. 32 gal. (Correct).

Smaller values (8, 16) are permissible but not the regulatory maximum.

D. 64 gal.: Exceeds NFPA maximum and requires special room design.

According to NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and CMS/TJC corridor obstruction guidance, only certain items deemed essential for immediate patient care may be left unattended in inpatient care corridors. Crash carts are specifically allowed because they are emergency life-saving equipment. Other items, such as hampers, WOWs, and bins, are considered obstructions and must be removed when not in active use.

The requirement for Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) planning is specifically mandated under Federal Regulations 40 CFR Part 112, under the Clean Water Act (Oil Pollution Act amendments). Facilities with aboveground storage exceeding 1,320 gallons or underground storage over 42,000 gallons must develop and implement an SPCC plan to prevent oil discharges into navigable waters.

Correct Answer (A): Federal 40 CFR Part 112 establishes the threshold quantities and program requirements.

B (Joint Commission): TJC standards govern utility management but do not set SPCC requirements.

C (OSHA 1926.153): This regulation applies to liquefied petroleum gas safety, not petroleum or oil spill prevention.

D (NFPA 430): Governs oxidizers, not oil storage or spill prevention.

The simple payback period is calculated by dividing the initial investment cost by the annual operating savings (reduction in operating cost). It does not consider time value of money, inflation, or full life-cycle costs.

A (Correct): Annual operating cost directly determines the annual savings, which is essential for payback calculation.

B: Inflation is considered in more advanced financial models (e.g., NPV, IRR), not simple payback.

C: Replacement cost is relevant for life-cycle cost analysis, not simple payback.

D: Life of the equipment may determine feasibility but is not part of the basic payback formula.

The outsourcing scenario matches the current in-house budget exactly; therefore, no savings are achieved. This type of financial analysis is common in the CHFM Financial Management domain.

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Per NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 18 inches of clearance must be maintained below sprinkler deflectors to ensure proper spray pattern and fire suppression coverage.

C. 18 (Correct).

Less than 18 inches (12 or 15) is insufficient clearance.

More than 18 (24 inches) exceeds the standard, not required.

Acceptable indoor CO₂ concentrations in healthcare facilities are generally expected to remain below 1,000 ppm, as recommended by ASHRAE Standard 62.1 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality). A reading of 1,500 ppm typically signals inadequate ventilation and insufficient outside air being introduced into the space. This is a direct indicator of poor dilution of indoor contaminants.

Correct: Lack of outside air (C) – High CO₂ concentrations are directly linked to reduced outside air supply.

Incorrect:

A. Within design – Not correct, since 1,500 ppm exceeds design thresholds.

B. Vehicular exhaust – Would raise CO and NOx levels, not primarily CO₂.

D. Humidity/dewpoint – Unrelated to CO₂ measurement.

Budget forecasting based on partial-year actuals uses the annualization formula:

Annual Forecast

=

Actual Costs for Months

Number of Months

×

12

Annual Forecast=

Number of Months

Actual Costs for Months

​

×12

For 5 months of data, the multiplier is 12/5.

Correct (D): current 5-month actual × 12/5.

Incorrect:

(A) × 5/12 would shrink the budget, not project it.

(B) Uses only one month, not representative.

(C) Uses only 2 months, less reliable.

The Safety and Security Management Plan under TJC’s Environment of Care standards requires healthcare facilities to regularly inspect buildings, facilities, and grounds to identify unsafe conditions and security risks.

C. Safety and Security Management (Correct): Includes hazard surveillance rounds.

A. Utilities Management: Focuses on utility systems operation and maintenance.

B. Hazardous Materials Management: Covers handling/storage/disposal of hazardous substances.

D. Fire Safety Management: Addresses fire protection systems and procedures, not general hazard inspection.