Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

Which example illustrates recovery and reuse in facilities management?

1. Using lower quality materials to save costs.

2. Capturing heat from exhaust air to pre-heat incoming air.

3. Implementing a recycling program for paper and plastic.

4. Reducing water consumption in bathrooms.

The correct answer is: Capturing heat from exhaust air to pre-heat incoming air.

The illustration of recovery and reuse in facilities management is best represented by capturing heat from exhaust air to pre-heat incoming air. This process exemplifies a sustainable practice that maximizes the efficiency of energy use within a facility. By capturing wasted thermal energy from exhaust air, the facility can reduce the amount of energy required to heat incoming air, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and minimizing operational costs. This approach not only contributes to energy savings but also enhances the facility's sustainability profile by lowering emissions associated with energy production. It aligns with best practices in facilities management that emphasize resource conservation and efficiency. While implementing a recycling program for paper and plastic does promote reuse and environmental stewardship, it does not directly illustrate recovery in the same way as energy recovery through heat exchange. Similarly, reducing water consumption in bathrooms contributes to resource conservation but does not directly involve the concept of recovery and reuse as it is traditionally understood in the context of energy systems. Using lower quality materials to save costs does not align with sustainable practices and can lead to long-term inefficiencies or higher costs.