Practice Test Geeks(AFE) Association for Facilities Engineering Certification Practice Test
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Building Systems & Maintenance Flashcards

7 cards from real AFE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Building Systems & Maintenance flashcards as text

  1. A facility manager notices that a chiller's coefficient of performance (COP) has dropped from 5.2 to 3.8 over six months. What is the most likely cause?

    Answer: Condenser fouling reducing heat transfer

    Condenser fouling increases condensing temperature and pressure, reducing the COP by forcing the compressor to work harder.

  2. Which maintenance strategy uses real-time sensor data to trigger service actions only when equipment performance degrades beyond a threshold?

    Answer: Predictive maintenance

    Predictive maintenance uses continuous monitoring data (vibration, temperature, oil analysis) to intervene before failure while avoiding unnecessary scheduled downtime.

  3. What does a building automation system (BAS) economizer cycle do during mild outdoor conditions?

    Answer: Uses outdoor air to provide free cooling instead of mechanical refrigeration

    An economizer cycle opens outdoor air dampers when outside enthalpy or temperature is favorable, reducing or eliminating mechanical cooling loads.

  4. A 120V single-phase motor draws 8 amps at full load. What is its approximate input power in watts?

    Answer: 960 W

    Power (W) = Voltage × Current = 120V × 8A = 960 W for a purely resistive or unity power factor load.

  5. Which type of fire suppression system is best suited for a data center to minimize equipment damage?

    Answer: Clean agent (e.g., FM-200 or Novec 1230)

    Clean agent systems suppress fires using gaseous agents that leave no residue and do not damage sensitive electronic equipment.

  6. What is the primary purpose of a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) in a building's domestic water system?

    Answer: Reduce high incoming water pressure to a safe distribution pressure

    A PRV reduces incoming street pressure (often 80–150 psi) to a safe domestic working pressure, typically 40–80 psi, protecting fixtures and piping.

  7. During an inspection, a facility engineer finds white crystalline deposits on the exterior of masonry walls. This condition is called:

    Answer: Efflorescence

    Efflorescence is caused by water moving through masonry and depositing soluble salts on the surface as it evaporates.