BOMA GENERAL MAINTENANCE EXAM| COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
EACH | CURRENTLY TESTING AND FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS|
EXPERT VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST UPDATE
SECTION A: BUILDING SYSTEMS FUNDAMENTALS (QUESTIONS 1–30)
1. What is the primary purpose of a preventive maintenance program?
A. To respond to equipment failures after they occur
B. To monitor equipment condition and perform scheduled maintenance to
prevent failures
C. To replace all equipment on a fixed schedule regardless of condition
D. To eliminate the need for maintenance documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A preventive maintenance program monitors equipment condition,
performs scheduled inspections, and completes lubrication and adjustments at
appropriate intervals to identify developing problems before they result in
operational failure. Option A is incorrect because responding after failure is
reactive maintenance. Option C is incorrect because replacement should be
based on condition and life-cycle analysis, not a fixed schedule. Option D is
incorrect because documentation is essential for tracking and accountability.
The correct answer (B) reflects the definition of preventive maintenance.
2. Which of the following best describes reactive maintenance?
A. Performing maintenance on a scheduled basis regardless of equipment
condition
B. Responding to equipment only after it stops functioning
C. Monitoring equipment condition continuously
D. Replacing equipment before it fails
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reactive maintenance (also called run-to-failure) involves
responding to equipment only after it has stopped functioning. Option A is
incorrect because scheduled maintenance is preventive. Option C is incorrect
because continuous monitoring is predictive maintenance. Option D is incorrect
1
,because proactive replacement is preventive. The correct answer (B) reflects
the definition of reactive maintenance.
3. What is the most important element for establishing an effective preventive
maintenance program?
A. Performing maintenance only when tenants submit complaints
B. Eliminating written maintenance records to reduce administrative work
C. Maintaining an equipment inventory linked to scheduled maintenance tasks
D. Scheduling every piece of equipment for identical maintenance intervals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An equipment inventory linked to scheduled maintenance tasks and
documentation is the foundation of an effective preventive maintenance
program.
Option A is incorrect because complaint-based maintenance is reactive. Option
B is incorrect because records are essential. Option D is incorrect because
maintenance intervals should be tailored to each equipment type. The correct
answer (C) reflects the most important element.
4. What is the primary purpose of a work order system?
A. To track maintenance requests, assignments, and completion
B. To calculate tenant rent
C. To schedule elevator inspections
D. To manage parking assignments
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A work order system tracks maintenance requests, assigns work to
technicians, and documents completion. Option B is incorrect because rent
calculation is a property management function. Option C is incorrect because
elevator inspections are a specific type of maintenance. Option D is incorrect
because parking management is separate. The correct answer (A) reflects the
purpose of a work order system.
5. What is "deferred maintenance"?
A. Maintenance that is performed ahead of schedule
B. Maintenance that is postponed, often due to budget constraints
C. Maintenance that is performed by outside contractors
D. Maintenance that is performed only in emergencies
2
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deferred maintenance is maintenance that is postponed, often due to
budget constraints or competing priorities, and can lead to accelerated
deterioration and higher future costs. Option A is incorrect because
performing ahead of schedule is proactive. Option C is incorrect because
contractor use is a staffing decision. Option D is incorrect because emergency
maintenance is a subset of reactive maintenance. The correct answer (B)
reflects the definition of deferred maintenance.
6. What is "predictive maintenance"?
A. Maintenance performed after equipment fails
B. Maintenance performed on a fixed time schedule
C. Maintenance based on continuous monitoring of equipment condition
D. Maintenance performed only when tenants complain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Predictive maintenance uses continuous monitoring of equipment
condition (vibration, temperature, oil analysis) to predict when maintenance
is needed. Option A is incorrect because that is reactive maintenance. Option B
is incorrect because that is preventive maintenance. Option D is incorrect
because complaint-based maintenance is reactive. The correct answer (C)
reflects the definition of predictive maintenance.
7. What is the purpose of a building automation system (BAS)?
A. To monitor and control building systems such as HVAC, lighting, and security
B. To manage tenant leases
C. To calculate property taxes
D. To schedule elevator maintenance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A building automation system (BAS) monitors and controls building
systems including HVAC, lighting, security, and energy management. Option B is
incorrect because lease management is a property management function. Option
C
is incorrect because tax calculation is separate. Option D is incorrect
because elevator maintenance is a specific task. The correct answer (A)
reflects the purpose of a BAS.
3
, 8. What is the purpose of a computerized maintenance management system
(CMMS)?
A. To track work orders, equipment history, and preventive maintenance
schedules
B. To manage tenant relations
C. To calculate building energy consumption
D. To design HVAC systems
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A CMMS tracks work orders, equipment history, and preventive
maintenance schedules, providing a centralized platform for maintenance
management. Option B is incorrect because tenant relations are separate.
Option C is incorrect because energy calculation is a BAS function. Option D is
incorrect because design is an engineering function. The correct answer (A)
reflects the purpose of a CMMS.
9. What is "life-cycle costing"?
A. A method that evaluates the total cost of equipment over its useful life,
including acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal
B. A method that evaluates only the initial purchase price
C. A method that evaluates only the annual operating cost
D. A method that evaluates only the maintenance cost
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Life-cycle costing evaluates the total cost of equipment over its
useful life, including acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, and
disposal. Option B is incorrect because initial cost is only one component.
Option C is incorrect because operating cost is only one component. Option D is
incorrect because maintenance cost is only one component. The correct answer
(A) reflects the definition of life-cycle costing.
10. Which of the following is a key performance indicator (KPI) for maintenance
operations?
A. Tenant rent per square foot
B. Mean time between failures (MTBF)
C. Parking space count
D. Elevator cab size
4
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
EACH | CURRENTLY TESTING AND FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS|
EXPERT VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST UPDATE
SECTION A: BUILDING SYSTEMS FUNDAMENTALS (QUESTIONS 1–30)
1. What is the primary purpose of a preventive maintenance program?
A. To respond to equipment failures after they occur
B. To monitor equipment condition and perform scheduled maintenance to
prevent failures
C. To replace all equipment on a fixed schedule regardless of condition
D. To eliminate the need for maintenance documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A preventive maintenance program monitors equipment condition,
performs scheduled inspections, and completes lubrication and adjustments at
appropriate intervals to identify developing problems before they result in
operational failure. Option A is incorrect because responding after failure is
reactive maintenance. Option C is incorrect because replacement should be
based on condition and life-cycle analysis, not a fixed schedule. Option D is
incorrect because documentation is essential for tracking and accountability.
The correct answer (B) reflects the definition of preventive maintenance.
2. Which of the following best describes reactive maintenance?
A. Performing maintenance on a scheduled basis regardless of equipment
condition
B. Responding to equipment only after it stops functioning
C. Monitoring equipment condition continuously
D. Replacing equipment before it fails
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reactive maintenance (also called run-to-failure) involves
responding to equipment only after it has stopped functioning. Option A is
incorrect because scheduled maintenance is preventive. Option C is incorrect
because continuous monitoring is predictive maintenance. Option D is incorrect
1
,because proactive replacement is preventive. The correct answer (B) reflects
the definition of reactive maintenance.
3. What is the most important element for establishing an effective preventive
maintenance program?
A. Performing maintenance only when tenants submit complaints
B. Eliminating written maintenance records to reduce administrative work
C. Maintaining an equipment inventory linked to scheduled maintenance tasks
D. Scheduling every piece of equipment for identical maintenance intervals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An equipment inventory linked to scheduled maintenance tasks and
documentation is the foundation of an effective preventive maintenance
program.
Option A is incorrect because complaint-based maintenance is reactive. Option
B is incorrect because records are essential. Option D is incorrect because
maintenance intervals should be tailored to each equipment type. The correct
answer (C) reflects the most important element.
4. What is the primary purpose of a work order system?
A. To track maintenance requests, assignments, and completion
B. To calculate tenant rent
C. To schedule elevator inspections
D. To manage parking assignments
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A work order system tracks maintenance requests, assigns work to
technicians, and documents completion. Option B is incorrect because rent
calculation is a property management function. Option C is incorrect because
elevator inspections are a specific type of maintenance. Option D is incorrect
because parking management is separate. The correct answer (A) reflects the
purpose of a work order system.
5. What is "deferred maintenance"?
A. Maintenance that is performed ahead of schedule
B. Maintenance that is postponed, often due to budget constraints
C. Maintenance that is performed by outside contractors
D. Maintenance that is performed only in emergencies
2
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deferred maintenance is maintenance that is postponed, often due to
budget constraints or competing priorities, and can lead to accelerated
deterioration and higher future costs. Option A is incorrect because
performing ahead of schedule is proactive. Option C is incorrect because
contractor use is a staffing decision. Option D is incorrect because emergency
maintenance is a subset of reactive maintenance. The correct answer (B)
reflects the definition of deferred maintenance.
6. What is "predictive maintenance"?
A. Maintenance performed after equipment fails
B. Maintenance performed on a fixed time schedule
C. Maintenance based on continuous monitoring of equipment condition
D. Maintenance performed only when tenants complain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Predictive maintenance uses continuous monitoring of equipment
condition (vibration, temperature, oil analysis) to predict when maintenance
is needed. Option A is incorrect because that is reactive maintenance. Option B
is incorrect because that is preventive maintenance. Option D is incorrect
because complaint-based maintenance is reactive. The correct answer (C)
reflects the definition of predictive maintenance.
7. What is the purpose of a building automation system (BAS)?
A. To monitor and control building systems such as HVAC, lighting, and security
B. To manage tenant leases
C. To calculate property taxes
D. To schedule elevator maintenance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A building automation system (BAS) monitors and controls building
systems including HVAC, lighting, security, and energy management. Option B is
incorrect because lease management is a property management function. Option
C
is incorrect because tax calculation is separate. Option D is incorrect
because elevator maintenance is a specific task. The correct answer (A)
reflects the purpose of a BAS.
3
, 8. What is the purpose of a computerized maintenance management system
(CMMS)?
A. To track work orders, equipment history, and preventive maintenance
schedules
B. To manage tenant relations
C. To calculate building energy consumption
D. To design HVAC systems
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A CMMS tracks work orders, equipment history, and preventive
maintenance schedules, providing a centralized platform for maintenance
management. Option B is incorrect because tenant relations are separate.
Option C is incorrect because energy calculation is a BAS function. Option D is
incorrect because design is an engineering function. The correct answer (A)
reflects the purpose of a CMMS.
9. What is "life-cycle costing"?
A. A method that evaluates the total cost of equipment over its useful life,
including acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal
B. A method that evaluates only the initial purchase price
C. A method that evaluates only the annual operating cost
D. A method that evaluates only the maintenance cost
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Life-cycle costing evaluates the total cost of equipment over its
useful life, including acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, and
disposal. Option B is incorrect because initial cost is only one component.
Option C is incorrect because operating cost is only one component. Option D is
incorrect because maintenance cost is only one component. The correct answer
(A) reflects the definition of life-cycle costing.
10. Which of the following is a key performance indicator (KPI) for maintenance
operations?
A. Tenant rent per square foot
B. Mean time between failures (MTBF)
C. Parking space count
D. Elevator cab size
4
