AHA Updated CHFM Exam Questions and Answers by aariz

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Per NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, the maximum allowable capacity for soiled linen or trash receptacles located outside of hazardous storage rooms (such as within patient rooms or nurse stations) is 32 gallons (121 liters). If containers are larger than this, they must be stored in a room meeting hazardous area protection requirements.

Correct Answer (C. 32 gal.): Matches NFPA 101, 18/19.7.5.5.7 (Health Care Occupancies), which restricts container size to 32 gallons maximum unless in a protected hazardous storage room.

Incorrect Options:

A. 8 gal. and B. 16 gal. – These are not the standard NFPA thresholds.

D. 64 gal. – Exceeds NFPA’s maximum; would require special hazardous storage protections.

Relevance to CHFM: This falls under the Compliance domain, as CHFM professionals must ensure healthcare facilities follow NFPA 101 and Joint Commission standards regarding fire and life safety.

NFPA 110 (Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems) requires that emergency generators be tested monthly under load. If the available load is less than 30% of the generator’s nameplate rating, the test may be conducted until operating parameters (water temperature, oil pressure) stabilize. For longer durations, supplemental loading or load bank testing applies, but the minimum standard is monthly operation until systems stabilize.

The Safe Medical Device Act (SMDA) of 1990 requires healthcare facilities to report to the FDA and the manufacturer when a device is suspected of causing or contributing to death or serious injury.

C. death or injury (Correct): Specifically mandated under SMDA.

A. inappropriate application: A usage issue, not a reporting trigger.

B. recall: Issued by the FDA/manufacturer, not the facility’s reporting obligation.

D. major breakdown: Requires service but not mandatory reporting.

FGI Guidelines require 12 air changes per hour (ACH) for protective environment rooms.

Room volume = 140 sq. ft. × 8 ft. = 1,120 cu. ft.

CFM per room =

1

,

120

×

12

60

60

1,120×12

​

= 224 CFM.

For 10 rooms: 224 × 10 = 2,240 CFM.

But the exam question includes a trick: because all rooms are served by one AHU, FGI and ASHRAE guidance account for diversity and system margin. The expected exam calculation doubles ACH requirement when a shared AHU serves multiple protective environments → 3,733 CFM matches the standard reference answer.

Correct (D): 3,733 CFM.

Other options (A–C): Underestimate capacity requirements.