Weekend Special Sale - Limited Time 70% Discount Offer - Ends in 0d 00h 00m 00s - Coupon code: mxmas70

Home > IFMA > Facility Manager > CFM

CFM Certified Facility Manager Question and Answers

Question # 4

During regular preventive maintenance activities, you notice green algae and scaling on the interior walls of the cooling tower. What action should you take to resolve the concerns?

A.

Shutdown the tower, allow surfaces to dry, and scrape biological growth from interior walls before returning the tower to operation.

B.

Test the cooling tower water, adjust the frequency of chemical balancing, and flush if needed.

C.

Perform a building occupant health survey to determine any adverse effects, and then adjust the injection levels of balancing chemicals.

D.

Drain the tower and then complete a fresh-water flush using warm water, and add new balancing chemicals.

Full Access
Question # 5

You provide integrated facility services for a client with a single site, including janitorial services. The client’s site has been granted LEED certification, including points for implementing a green cleaning policy. What should you do to meet the client's need for a green cleaning policy?

A.

Contact professional organizations in the janitorial industry and Facility Managers at other LEED-certified sites for their recommendations.

B.

Review professional journals, identify green cleaning solutions, and prepare a policy and procedures based on those solutions.

C.

Review LEED standards applicable to the site, identify compliant equipment and supplies, and prepare a policy and procedures based on those standards.

D.

Meet with equipment and supplies vendors specializing in green cleaning and obtain their recommendations.

Full Access
Question # 6

You are planning a landscaping project in a densely populated area. What considerations are needed for the community outside your property?

A.

Choose alternative energy sources to power outdoor lighting and security stations, decrease costs to your facility, and provide energy back to the grid, which will bring energy costs down to the neighboring community.

B.

Ensure that lights and basic security sounds (e.g., beeping noises at an outdoor security station) are not intrusive on daily living, but that they may also be used to alert the neighborhood, when such alerts are appropriate and of value (e.g., in an emergency).

C.

Use the brightest possible lights and loudest sounds (e.g., sirens) to prevent security issues at night to support the community in decreasing crime in that area and announcing emergency situations.

D.

Provide security staff to walk the perimeter of your property, checking for damaged lights or other security issues while maintaining communication with a dispatcher for emergencies while keeping a low profile in the neighboring community.

Full Access
Question # 7

What measures could you have taken to ensure your staff member focused on measurable priorities that you had established?

A.

You should have made it clear when hiring your Project Coordinator that it was his responsibility to ensure his projects were completed in a quality manner.

B.

The Project Coordinator should have set up regular appointments with you to demonstrate how he was completing his tasks according to the performance measures that he established.

C.

You should have hired a very experienced Project Coordinator to ensure that your priorities were met.

D.

You should have met with your Project Coordinator regularly to prioritize work, review assigned projects, and report on performance.

Full Access
Question # 8

What should the FM department do in the ongoing monitoring of a newly outsourced Property Management contract?

A.

Explain the evaluation methodology based on the identified Key Performance Indicators.

B.

Include opportunity for the Contractor to respond to non-compliances.

C.

Ensure that all codes and regulations are met.

D.

Create an incentive program for innovative work.

Full Access
Question # 9

As a facility manager, what is the most basic maintenance and operation responsibility that you must meet?

A.

Ensure positive tenant relationships

B.

Provide a safe and clean environment

C.

Maintain a detailed log of all maintenance activities

D.

Align the facility management plan with corporate objectives

Full Access
Question # 10

A project sponsor indicates that a project should build a facility at the lowest cost, in the least time, and with the highest quality. What should the project manager do?

A.

Work with the sponsor to refine the project charter with more feasible constraints

B.

Implement the project with the given constraints, as instructed by the project sponsor

C.

Inform the project sponsor that a lower-quality project will be provided

D.

Inform the project sponsor that the project cannot proceed with the given constraints

Full Access
Question # 11

Which technology would be BEST to notify facility occupants during an emergency?

A.

Company's social media profile.

B.

Emergency notification system.

C.

E-mail system.

D.

Incident management system.

Full Access
Question # 12

When is the final payment made for a large-scale construction project?

A.

At the time of substantial completion

B.

After no less than 100% of the construction work has been completed

C.

Upon receipt of all deliverables, closeout documents, and lien releases

Full Access
Question # 13

Which bond is returned to contractors who submit unsuccessful proposals?

A.

Performance

B.

Bid

C.

Retention

Full Access
Question # 14

What is the information gained from a risk assessment, business impact analysis, and a resource needs assessment used for?

A.

Business workflow plans.

B.

Property inspection and insurance assessments.

C.

Continuity and recovery plans.

D.

Risk management analyses.

Full Access
Question # 15

When is the BEST time for a facility manager to offer suggestions on a project at minimal cost?

A.

Upon completion of the project

B.

Throughout the project

C.

Early in the design development process

D.

After the drawings and prices are finalized

Full Access
Question # 16

What is the most important factor to consider when upgrading the Building Management System (BMS)?

A.

The provider indicates the software version is obsolete

B.

Requirement to automate FM tasks

C.

An upgraded version is now available from the manufacturer

D.

Additional metrics are required for management reporting

Full Access
Question # 17

As the Facility Manager, you secured 5,500 square feet of Class A office space on a multi-tenant floor to support a two-year business initiative. To minimize capital investment, the space will be used with pre-existing furnishings, fixtures, and equipment. However, before you can move people into this space, you will need a certificate of occupancy. What system must be examined to obtain a certificate of occupancy?

A.

Life safety system

B.

Potable water system

C.

Network connections

D.

Telephone system

Full Access
Question # 18

What is the definition of "real property"?

A.

Things located within buildings such as furniture, accessories, appliances, etc.

B.

Property that has nothing artificial on it, only natural materials.

C.

Land, buildings, and machinery or equipment.

D.

Inventory and loose materials.

Full Access
Question # 19

Recently, an organization has flattened its structure versus that of a typical pyramid structure. As part of the restructure, the existing office building will be renovated. What type of design elements should a facility manager consider in the renovation?

A.

Offices for management, teaming areas, shorter workstation panels, and large conference rooms

B.

Team areas, bigger workstations for files, offices for senior management, and fewer meeting rooms

C.

Space for employee interaction, team areas, smaller workstations, and shorter panels

Full Access
Question # 20

What important factor forms the basis for Risk Management strategies?

A.

Knowledge of the organization's departmental goals, risks, and objectives.

B.

Knowledge of the leadership strategies that capture the organization's objectives.

C.

Knowledge of how the organization will respond to the possible impacts of risks.

Full Access
Question # 21

To satisfy the needs of one of its largest customers, your company is opening a new facility about 1240 miles/2000 kilometers away from the corporate offices. Initially, the new operation will only support one customer. However, the company expects more customers will be added in the next three to five years. The plan is that the corporate office will support operations in the new facility. What is the best way to manage the facility requirements of this new operation?

A.

Use a temporary agency for facility services and manage everything from the corporate office.

B.

Hire a permanent staff of facility employees for the new operation.

C.

Contract with an outsource company to provide facility management services for the new operation.

D.

Relocate some existing facility employees to the new operation.

Full Access
Question # 22

What is the requirement for special protected circuits outlets?

A.

Must be powered by a separate circuit breaker

B.

Are never "required" but are a good idea wherever children might have access

C.

Are required outside and anywhere near a water source

Full Access
Question # 23

How should rainwater from a hospital roof be used?

A.

Domestic, such as bathing.

B.

Dishwashing in the kitchen.

C.

Landscape maintenance.

D.

Medical process rinses.

Full Access
Question # 24

A new department manager is not clear on the services provided by the facility management department and is often negative about facility management while at management meetings. How should a facility manager address the customer's expectations?

A.

Request that the manager refrain from complaints at this meeting as it is not the appropriate venue.

B.

Request that the other managers have a discussion with him about office protocol.

C.

Request that he read his service level agreement.

D.

Review the customer service level agreement to determine a mutually agreed performance standard.

Full Access
Question # 25

What sequential steps should you follow when trying to settle a contract dispute with a contractor?

A.

Mediation, arbitration, litigation, and negotiation

B.

Mediation, negotiations, arbitration, and litigation

C.

Negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and litigation

D.

Negotiations, arbitration, mediation, and litigation

Full Access
Question # 26

What is the BEST term to indicate an asset can suffer a failure and yet still continue operations?

A.

Recoverable

B.

Continuity

C.

Dependable

D.

Resilience

Full Access
Question # 27

You are part of a team developing a plan for the layout of a 500-acre planned community. The plan shows roads, utilities, and different types of buildings within the development community. This plan will be provided to government entities for permitting. What is this set of specifications called?

A.

A planned community sustainability plan.

B.

A real estate development tactical plan.

C.

A real estate master plan.

D.

An architectural context diagram (ACD).

Full Access
Question # 28

What is your role as a Facility Manager in developing an emergency preparedness plan that ensures organizational success?

A.

Ensure that all of the materials and equipment are on hand to respond.

B.

Ensure that communication devices are in place to respond.

C.

Create an emergency plan and ensure that employees are trained to respond.

Full Access
Question # 29

When managing quality, what are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) based on?

A.

What stakeholders feel is important

B.

What the facility manager feels is important

C.

What the facility management team feels is important

D.

What the CEO feels is important

Full Access
Question # 30

What, in addition to vision, incentives, action plan, and resources, is required for the change management process to be effective?

A.

Experience

B.

Support

C.

Directives

D.

Skills

Full Access
Question # 31

You are a Facility Manager overseeing a proposed renovation of a floor to meet the needs of the business. What step should be taken first?

A.

Conduct space programming analysis.

B.

Perform a gap analysis.

C.

Engage an architect for scenario alternatives.

D.

Undergo a feasibility study.

Full Access
Question # 32

You are the Facility Manager for a retail strip mall with strong storefront style standards approved by the local government planning board. A long-term tenant, a Chinese restaurant, wants to construct a tile pagoda-style mansard that does not comply with the lease terms. How should you respond to this tenant’s request?

A.

The tenant cannot modify the entrance because the new entrance would not conform to the approved master plan of that shopping center which has been approved by the local governmental planning board.

B.

The tenant must hire an architect to design the modification to the entrance in compliance with the guidelines spelled out in the master real estate plan.

C.

The tenant can modify the entrance providing they pay for the improvement. This change must comply with the guidelines spelled out in the master real estate plan.

Full Access
Question # 33

What information does the facility manager need to ensure the proposed cafeteria price increases are reasonable?

A.

Current purchasing data

B.

Written justifications and data

C.

Current market data

D.

Customer opinion surveys

Full Access
Question # 34

What level of damage and risk is anticipated with the current building code requirements for most buildings?

A.

Buildings will have minor damage and occupants can continue to occupy the building after an event.

B.

Buildings will have very little or no damage with no impact on the occupancy and operations.

C.

Buildings will have damage but will not collapse and allow time for occupants to leave the building.

Full Access
Question # 35

A facility manager provides integrated facility services for a client with multiple mixed-use sites. This includes all services except the client's core business. The annual business review of the services provided identifies dissatisfaction with comfort levels at two of the sites, including the data center building. To improve the service effectively, the client will need to make an extensive capital equipment investment not previously contemplated. What is the BEST way to communicate the HVAC issue to your client?

A.

Hold a series of meetings with the client—first to discuss the issues, second to identify solutions, and finally to quantify the impact on operations.

B.

Prepare a report outlining the issues and solutions and send it to the client, requesting a meeting after the report has been reviewed.

C.

Prepare a report and meet with the client to present the issues, recommended solutions, and explain the impact on business operations.

D.

Schedule a meeting with the client and the department heads impacted by the HVAC issues to talk about the problems.

Full Access
Question # 36

Many large corporations prefer to locate a site and build a plant to meet their exact specifications. Because they prefer to invest their capital in their own business operations rather than real estate, they seek an investor who will buy the property and build. The company then executes a long-term lease with the investor. What is the resulting agreement called?

A.

Gross lease agreement

B.

Special-purpose agreement

C.

Non-competing tenant agreement

Full Access
Question # 37

Recently, an organization has flattened its structure versus that of a typical pyramid structure. As part of the restructure, the existing office building will be renovated. What type of design elements should a facility manager consider in the renovation?

A.

Offices for management, teaming areas, shorter workstation panels, and large conference rooms

B.

Team areas, bigger workstations for files, offices for senior management, and fewer meeting rooms

C.

Space for employee interaction, team areas, smaller workstations, and shorter panels

Full Access
Question # 38

During the construction phase of a project you are managing, the customer wishes to add to the project scope. You think that the cost of the change is 25% greater than your contingency. What steps will you take?

A.

Get an estimate from the contractor for a change order. Also, review the impact this will have on the entire project’s cost, schedule, quality, and risks. Present these findings to the customer along with the request for additional funds.

B.

Tell the customer you may be able to accommodate their request if the contingency budget is not used for other issues. Try to cut other scope items or create savings in other parts of the project to fully fund this request.

C.

Tell the customer that their request is out of scope and cannot be accommodated. The project does not have the funds for this additional work. Explain how this request impacts schedules delaying work and adding significantly to time as well as cost.

D.

Immediately agree to add the work to your project scope without getting an estimate from the contractor to determine the additional cost. You and the contractor can work out the differences as you go along.

Full Access
Question # 39

The facility manager has been asked to provide a listing of all properties owned and leased by the organization. In which system does the information typically reside?

A.

Building Information Modeling System.

B.

Computer Aided Facility Management System.

C.

Building Automation System.

D.

Computerized Maintenance Management System.

Full Access
Question # 40

Which statement about fiber optic cable is correct?

A.

Very low resistance to noise and interference

B.

It has fewer environmental effects than copper wiring or cable

C.

Ability to carry signals for short distances before requiring repeaters than copper cable

Full Access
Question # 41

How can the building information model (BIM) be used for emergency preparedness?

A.

It provides first responders with the names of all building occupants.

B.

It is not useful for emergency preparedness.

C.

It creates a virtual environment of the building for emergency personnel.

D.

It can help predict how an emergency will unfold.

Full Access
Question # 42

What advantages can you gain by capturing and applying lessons learned in a multi-phased project?

A.

Documenting lessons learned provides a way to pass on and usefully apply knowledge gained in one project to other projects. This saves time and money by preventing mistakes, streamlining work processes, and freeing staff to deal with unique aspects of later phases.

B.

Purchases made in earlier phases can be reused in later phases, saving money through efficient management of resources and negotiation of discounts with vendors as project managers learn to work with vendors.

C.

Since every phase is different, the only advantage of moving solutions forward is to know what has already been tried as learned from a previous situation.

D.

People learn what works and how to get along with their peers and leaders. As a result, teams can be organized so conflicts can be avoided since interpersonal relationships have already been tested.

Full Access
Question # 43

What action should be completed first when developing a real estate master plan?

A.

Perform an environmental review

B.

Review the strategic plan

C.

Meet with key stakeholders

D.

Perform highest and best use studies

Full Access
Question # 44

A company has decided to establish a long-range strategic facility technology plan. What is the first step in determining the future technology needs of the company?

A.

Determine the level of employee technological skill requirements for the future.

B.

Review corporate plans for building renovations and lease negotiations.

C.

Research advances in technology.

D.

Conduct an assessment of existing technology.

Full Access
Question # 45

When are the laws of supply and demand relative to price?

A.

When demand exceeds supply, prices drop

B.

Price is the only factor that limits the supply

C.

When demand exceeds supply, prices rise

D.

If supply exceeds demand, prices rise

Full Access
Question # 46

When posting required signage for fire emergencies, which message is the MOST immediate?

A.

Location of First Aid kits

B.

Location of emergency exits

C.

Location of AED with directions for its use

Full Access
Question # 47

How should the facility manager ensure the gym meets staff expectations?

A.

Solicit staff asking for suggestions on how to improve the gym.

B.

Poll in the industry and ask them how best to create and maintain a gym facility for staff use.

C.

Have the facility manager perform the monthly inspections.

D.

Hire a consultant to provide you with information regarding trends to keep a gym current.

Full Access
Question # 48

A new hire has been provided with new uniforms and a $150 stipend to purchase new work boots. Within the first month of employment, the employee informs the manager that another job has been accepted and provides a two-week notice. What actions should the manager take regarding the material issuances?

A.

Ask in a thoughtful and respectful tone for the employee to reimburse the organization for the uniforms and work boots.

B.

Absorb the loss of the material in the operating budget under uniform depreciation.

C.

Refer to the employee handbook and follow organizational policy regarding uniform and work boot issuances.

Full Access
Question # 49

What is the most important strategic issue in the relationship between facility requirements and organizational requirements?

A.

Coordination

B.

Alignment

C.

Understanding

Full Access
Question # 50

You are the Facility Manager for a retail strip mall with strong storefront style standards approved by the local government planning board. A long-term tenant, a Chinese restaurant, wants to construct a tile pagoda-style mansard that does not comply with the lease terms. How should you respond to this tenant’s request?

A.

The tenant cannot modify the entrance because the new entrance would not conform to the approved master plan of that shopping center, which has been approved by the local governmental planning board.

B.

The tenant must hire an architect to design the modification to the entrance in compliance with the guidelines spelled out in the master real estate plan.

C.

The tenant can modify the entrance, providing they pay for the improvement. This change must comply with the guidelines spelled out in the master real estate plan.

Full Access
Question # 51

What best describes Performance Measures?

A.

Performance indicators including metrics and drivers that achieve a given outcome.

B.

Pre-determined set of performance indicators and the actual results.

C.

Parameters and metrics that evaluate objectives against actual performance and goals.

Full Access
Question # 52

Departments often forget to budget for equipment design and installation costs. What is the best solution?

A.

Develop a procedure that would charge back capital installation costs to the department procuring the equipment.

B.

Mark up each equipment capital request by 15% to cover design and installation costs.

C.

Establish a procedure for all capital budgets to include Facilities' input on design and installation costs.

D.

Create a facilities installation fund that is 15% of the company’s annual capital equipment fund to cover these costs.

Full Access
Question # 53

What is the FIRST priority when allocating facility management resources?

A.

Urgency

B.

Dollar value

C.

Customer satisfaction

D.

Criticality

Full Access
Question # 54

When referring to the off-gassing of materials used within a building, what does the acronym 'VOC' stand for?

A.

Versatile ongoing commissioning.

B.

Volatile organic compounds.

C.

Voracious odor composites.

D.

Variable offensive chemistry.

Full Access
Question # 55

What is one of the MOST common reasons implementing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) fails?

A.

Users are resistant to change.

B.

The board members are not interested in the system.

C.

The CMMS is home-grown.

D.

The building systems are not compatible with the CMMS.

Full Access
Question # 56

What are intentional, accidental, or natural disasters called?

A.

Situations.

B.

Threats.

C.

Casualties.

D.

Warnings.

Full Access
Question # 57

Which key document must a facility manager use when evaluating the Real Estate Master Plan?

A.

Budget.

B.

Strategic plan.

C.

Leasing analysis.

D.

Capital investment strategy.

Full Access
Question # 58

A recently installed speed bump that slows traffic for pedestrian safety in the facility parking lot is diverting water runoff away from the drain and toward an adjacent property. What factors should the facility manager consider when fixing the drainage problem?

A.

The facility manager’s responsibility ends at the property line, and no decision is necessary.

B.

Use water runoff as an irrigation source and control parking lot traffic.

C.

Pedestrian safety supersedes stormwater runoff issues, and no decision is necessary.

D.

Ensure pedestrian safety and resolve stormwater runoff issues.

Full Access
Question # 59

What is the purpose of a punch-list (defects list) walk-through in construction?

A.

To identify items that do not conform to contract documents that the contractor must complete prior to final payment

B.

To ensure that the construction site is free from debris

C.

To walk through the construction project with the contractor and discover what needs to be completed

Full Access
Question # 60

There has been a recent increase in complaints of items stolen from people's desks within a facility. What is the facility manager's initial step regarding the security of the staff and facility?

A.

Install security cameras throughout the facility to ensure you capture future incidents.

B.

Update your security procedures to ensure that staff maintain a secure desk.

C.

Investigate each case and remind staff to ensure all valuables are locked.

D.

Turn the matter over to a professional security company to lead an investigation.

Full Access
Question # 61

What tools would a project manager use or create to define the project team?

A.

Project schedule, corporate organizational chart, and human resources policy

B.

Work breakdown structure, project organizational chart, and responsibility matrix

C.

Task list, responsibility matrix, and the request for proposal that initiated the project

D.

Project budget, project schedule, and project organizational chart

Full Access
Question # 62

You receive numerous complaints from occupants in a facility about technology "dead zones" within certain areas of the campus. The complaints indicate that wireless connections fail and mobile phone signals drop when in a specific area of the facility. What additional information do you require to successfully address this issue?

A.

Wireless repeater locations

B.

Wireless frequencies affected

C.

Time of day outages occur

D.

Mobile phone service provider

Full Access
Question # 63

What does Environmental Health and Safety focus on?

A.

People, property, and environment.

B.

Compliance, use, and legal matters.

C.

Worker rights, policies, and practices.

D.

Security, assets, and equipment.

Full Access
Question # 64

Which job strategy is most effective in encouraging job satisfaction according to Frederick Herzberg's theory?

A.

Job simplification.

B.

Job enrichment.

C.

Job rotation.

D.

Job enlargement.

Full Access
Question # 65

What does CAFM stand for?

A.

Computerized Assistant Facility Management

B.

Certified Associated Facility Manager

C.

Computer-Aided Facility Management

Full Access
Question # 66

What is included in contract documents specified in owner and contractor agreements?

A.

Bidding requirements

B.

Notice to bidders

C.

Specifications

D.

Shop drawings

Full Access
Question # 67

What detailed review process results in a score outlining the status, age, and life cycle condition of a building and its components?

A.

Post-occupancy evaluation.

B.

Facility condition assessment.

C.

Life cycle cost analysis.

Full Access
Question # 68

What safety precautions are MOST important during a partial renovation of a building while keeping the existing business operating?

A.

Require the contractor to perform indoor air quality testing once a month to ensure staff safety and post results.

B.

Hearing protection and eye wash stations should be set up in designated locations within the construction area to minimize employee risk.

C.

Barriers must be set up to create a safe perimeter: all staff members should be moved outside of the area and it should be designated as an area where personal protective equipment must be worn.

D.

Staff should be required to wear safety footwear, hard hats, and a security checkpoint should be set up to ensure staff compliance.

Full Access
Question # 69

What is a reason to invest in real estate?

A.

Sales tax advantage.

B.

Capital appreciation.

C.

Irregular return.

D.

Capital depreciation.

Full Access
Question # 70

A facility manager has developed a new health and safety program. What should be the next step?

A.

Post the program on the internal website for employees to read and take action.

B.

Put a notice on the bulletin board explaining the health and safety program.

C.

Send out an email announcing the new health and safety program.

D.

Develop a formal communication plan outlining the various tools used to communicate to the staff.

Full Access
Question # 71

What is the most common method to accelerate the completion of a project?

A.

Outsourcing project work

B.

Reducing scope

C.

Adding resources

D.

Scheduling overtime

Full Access
Question # 72

What is used to control lighting, HVAC, and other systems?

A.

Building Automation Systems (BAS)

B.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

C.

Computer-Aided Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

D.

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Full Access
Question # 73

As VP of Facilities, your company has tasked you with right-sizing your portfolio’s facilities operations. Part of your analysis compares your team's performance against other similarly sized companies. What is this type of analysis?

A.

GAP Analysis

B.

Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat Analysis (SWOT)

C.

Benchmarking

Full Access
Question # 74

When would an organization choose a lease with a purchase option?

A.

When tax rebates cannot be applied.

B.

When it lacks the initial capital for the purchase.

C.

When it has long-term plans to develop the real estate.

D.

When it needs to partner with a developer.

Full Access
Question # 75

What should be considered when developing a strategic facility management plan?

A.

The demand organization’s business plan.

B.

Reducing facility management cost.

C.

Obtaining a larger facility management budget.

Full Access
Question # 76

During contractor evaluation, you discover their incident rate is below the industry average. What does this indicate?

A.

The contractor has a better reputation and focuses on customer satisfaction.

B.

The contractor has a robust financial balance sheet and is in good financial standing.

C.

The contractor has a safety program that focuses on reducing injuries and is followed in practice.

Full Access
Question # 77

A facility manager wants to reduce their dependence on electricity supplied by a natural gas power plant and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. Which project should the facility manager pursue?

A.

Purchase green credits from your utility company

B.

Implement a lights-out policy at night

C.

Purchase program to buy electricity from a coal power plant

Full Access