CPM Maintenance and Operations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'preventive maintenance' in property management?
- Repairs made after a system failure
- Scheduled inspections and servicing to prevent equipment failures before they occur (Correct answer)
- Cosmetic upgrades to attract tenants
- Emergency repairs during off-hours
Correct answer: Scheduled inspections and servicing to prevent equipment failures before they occur
Preventive maintenance involves regularly scheduled tasks—like HVAC filter changes and roof inspections—designed to prevent breakdowns and extend asset life.
Question 2: Which system in a commercial building is responsible for heating, cooling, and ventilation?
- Electrical distribution system
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) (Correct answer)
- Fire suppression system
- Plumbing system
Correct answer: HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
The HVAC system controls indoor climate by providing heating, cooling, and fresh air circulation throughout the building.
Question 3: A work order system in property management primarily serves to:
- Track tenant lease expirations
- Document, assign, and track maintenance requests from initiation to completion (Correct answer)
- Schedule rent collection
- Monitor market rent trends
Correct answer: Document, assign, and track maintenance requests from initiation to completion
A work order system creates a documented trail for each maintenance request, tracks assignment and status, and helps measure response times and costs.
Question 4: What is 'deferred maintenance'?
- Maintenance completed ahead of schedule
- Needed repairs or maintenance that have been postponed, increasing future costs (Correct answer)
- Maintenance covered by tenant's insurance
- Routine janitorial services
Correct answer: Needed repairs or maintenance that have been postponed, increasing future costs
Deferred maintenance is the accumulation of needed repairs that have been postponed, which typically leads to accelerated deterioration and higher future costs.
Question 5: What does 'OSHA' require regarding hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including maintenance operations?
- All chemicals must be stored off-site
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be maintained and employees trained on chemical hazards (HazCom standard) (Correct answer)
- Only licensed contractors may use chemicals
- Chemicals must be approved by the EPA before use
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be maintained and employees trained on chemical hazards (HazCom standard)
OSHA's Hazard Communication (HazCom) standard requires employers to provide Safety Data Sheets and training so employees understand chemical hazards.
Question 6: Which type of maintenance addresses unexpected breakdowns requiring immediate repair to restore essential services?
- Preventive maintenance
- Corrective maintenance
- Emergency maintenance (Correct answer)
- Deferred maintenance
Correct answer: Emergency maintenance
Emergency maintenance addresses sudden failures—such as burst pipes, heating outages in winter, or no water—that require immediate action to protect safety or habitability.
CPM Maintenance and Operations 1
What is 'preventive maintenance' in property management?