ASHE CHC Practice Exam Questions

ASHE CHC Sample Question Answers

Question # 1

A new imaging department will add chillers and imaging equipment to the hospital's essential electrical system. What should occur BEFORE these loads are connected?

A. An engineering analysis confirming generator, ATS, and distribution capacity, with any upgrades approved
B. Connect the loads to the critical branch, since imaging and its supporting chillers are critical to patient care
C. Connect the loads now and check the generator's performance during the next scheduled monthly test
D. Connect the loads only if the generator's nameplate rating exceeds the new equipment's total rating

Show Answer

Question # 2

To save time, an electrician proposes pulling new critical branch circuits and normal power circuits through the same conduit to a renovated ICU room. What is the correct response?

A. Accept it, provided the conduit is metal rather than PVC and is bonded to the equipment ground
B. Accept it, because the ICU room and its panelboards are located on the same floor and fed from the same transformer
C. Reject it; life safety and critical branch wiring must be independent and run in separate raceways 
D. Accept it, provided the conductors of each branch are color-coded differently throughout the run

Show Answer

Question # 3

Within what maximum time must the life safety and critical branches of a hospital Type 1 essential electrical system be restored to operation after loss of normal power?

A. 10 seconds 
B. 5 minutes 
C. 60 seconds 
D. 30 seconds

Show Answer

Question # 4

Under NFPA 99-2012, a Type 1 essential electrical system in a hospital is divided into which three branches?

A. Legally required branch, optional branch, and critical branch 
B. Emergency branch, standby branch, and normal branch
C. Life safety branch, critical branch, and normal branch
D. Life safety branch, critical branch, and equipment branch

Show Answer

Question # 5

Which personnel qualifications are required for workers installing and brazing medical gas piping?

A. Any licensed plumber, without additional certification, working under a master plumber's permit
B. ASSE 6010 installers using brazing procedures and brazers qualified to ASME Section IX or AWS B2.2
C. Workers certified as medical gas verifiers under ASSE 6030, following the hospital's written installation procedures
D. Hospital maintenance staff who have completed training provided by the outlet manufacturer

Show Answer

Question # 6

Where should zone valves for a new medical gas zone serving a patient care unit be located?

A. Above the corridor ceiling, so that the valves are protected from tampering by visitors
B. In the mechanical room on another floor, next to the source equipment and the master alarm
C. Readily accessible, outside the rooms served, with a wall between valve and outlets, and labeled
D. Inside the largest patient room in the zone, so that bedside staff can reach them as quickly as possible

Show Answer

Question # 7

During verification of a new medical gas zone, the verifier finds that an outlet labeled 'oxygen' actually delivers medical air. What is the correct response?

A. Place the zone in service with a warning sign on the incorrect outlet until the piping can be repaired after hours
B. Swap the outlet labels so that they match the gas actually delivered, then complete verification 
C. Place the zone in service and rely on clinicians to confirm the gas with analyzers at the bedside
D. Keep the zone out of service, correct the piping, and repeat cross-connection tests on all affected outlets

Show Answer

Question # 8

Why is an oil-free nitrogen purge required inside medical gas piping during brazing?

A. To cool the joint rapidly so that the brazing alloy sets faster and forms a stronger bond
B. To prevent oxide scale forming inside the pipe that could contaminate the gas delivered to patients 
C. To drive moisture out of the brazing filler metal so that it flows evenly into the joint
D. To pressure-test the joint while brazing is underway so that any leaks are detected and repaired immediately

Show Answer

Question # 9

A renovation requires tying new oxygen piping into an existing line that serves an occupied unit. Which sequence BEST reflects correct practice?

A. Close the zone valve, make the tie-in, and reopen the valve as soon as the brazed joint has cooled
B. Braze the connection quickly while the line remains pressurized, so the unit's oxygen service is never interrupted
C. Obtain authorization, arrange alternate supply, isolate, braze with a nitrogen purge, then test and verify before use
D. Have the installer pressure-test the joint and return the system to service the same day without verification

Show Answer

Question # 10

Under NFPA 99, who must perform the final verification of a newly installed medical gas piping system before it is used for patients?

A. A representative of the manufacturer of the outlets and zone valves
B. The hospital's general maintenance staff, once the system has been pressure tested 
C. The installing contractor's lead pipefitter, after completing the installer tests
D. A qualified verifier independent of the installing contractor

Show Answer