Boxes at ceiling suspended (paddle) fan outlets

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Sparky314

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Pierre, SD Hughes county
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EC
What is your guys interpretation of 314.27(c)2 2020 code. My interpretation is as long as it is a 314.27 compliant box attached to structural framing it would not have to be a ceiling fan rated box. Here in South Dakota our inspectors are interpreting 314.27(c) as every ceiling box in dwelling habitable rooms requires a ceiling fan rated box, regardless of what type of fixture you would attach to it. They are assuming that some day someone might want to put a ceiling fan in that location. $2 vs $12 box can add up fast. Thanks in advance.
 
The key words are "providing access to". How would you comply with that? IMO if the wood framing member is visible through one of the mounting holes then you're in compliance, similar to some PVC fan boxes where the fan bracket can be screwed through the box into the framing member.

314.27(C)(2) An outlet box complying with the applicable requirements of 314.27 and providing access to structural framing capable of supporting of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan bracket or equivalent.
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Sparky314 said:
$2 vs $12 box can add up fast.
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$10 additional per ceiling box won't add up that fast. If you had 100 ceiling boxes, that would be an extra $1000. An extra $1000 in a house big enough to require 100 ceiling boxes will be a rounding error in the cost of the construction of the house.
 
Sparky314 said:
Are you saying "providing access to" is the knowledge that the box is attached to a framing member, therefore the box could be removed and replace with a fan rated box?
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I don't see any wording in that section that would imply you would remove the box for any reason. It says "An outlet box complying with the applicable requirements of 314.27 and providing access to structural framing". The box has to be installed in a way that it provides the access.
 
I use Arlngton FB412 boxes and cost about $4 so it's only 2$ difference. I think the code is stating that you don't remove the box but you can screw the fan bracket into the framing member.
 
Sparky314 said:
Maybe I asked the wrong question, does 314.27 require all ceiling outlet boxes to be fan rated in dwelling habitable rooms?
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I feel you, sounds crazy to me too.
Wyboy started a thread about this in June. I was unable to post it or find it. I can see some unreasonable inspectors being unreasonable on this.
 
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