Which inspection is performed when a complaint has been filed against a business or occupancy, such as overcrowding or blocked exits?

• A. New Construction
• B. Response to a Complaint
• C. Change in Occupancy
• D. Imminent Hazard

Answer: (B)

When a safety concern is raised by a complaint, the inspection performed is a response to a complaint. It’s meant to verify the reported conditions—such as overcrowding or blocked exits—and ensure they meet code, requiring corrective action if violations are found. This type is specifically triggered by someone filing a complaint, and the inspector investigates the premises to confirm whether unsafe conditions exist and what steps are needed to bring the situation into compliance. It’s different from new construction inspections, which assess new or renovated buildings for code compliance during construction; and from change in occupancy inspections, which occur when a building’s use changes and requires re-evaluation of egress and occupancy loads; and from imminent hazard inspections, which address an immediate life-safety threat regardless of a complaint.