Ceiling Fans

[firelient]

Is there a requirement to how low you can hang a ceiling fan. It is in a bonus room with 6' 9" ceiling and they really want them. I think too low! just looking for something in writing to tell them. Thanks

 

[charlie b]

It would not be in the NEC. But for my part, I would not do it. I don't think you can get one that does not take up a least 9 inches. Even if the owners are short enough to walk under the rotating fan blades, if a guest of theirs walks into it, you would be dragged into court.

 

[ceb58]

Is there a requirement to how low you can hang a ceiling fan. It is in a bonus room with 6' 9" ceiling and they really want them. I think too low! just looking for something in writing to tell them. Thanks

Look at the mfg. instruction. They may have a minimum height requirement.

 

[chris kennedy]

See step 1 C of this pdf. I have never seen any other manufactures install instructions say any thing to the contrary.

 

[jxofaltrds]

305.1 Minimum height.

Habitable rooms, hallways, corridors, bathrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and basements shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). The required height shall be measured from the finish floor to the lowest projection from the ceiling.

This may or may not work.

I mean if the box is covered at inspection it would pass. What the owner does after that is outside of an inspection.

 

[jimport]

All of the fans I have installed called for a minimum of 7'-0" clearence to the lowest blade.

 

[eprice]

Just to clarify, I believe jxofaltrds' reference is from the IRC.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have never seen a fan that didn't require 7' headroom to the blades.

 

[jxofaltrds]

Just to clarify, I believe jxofaltrds' reference is from the IRC.

Thanx

Normally I state a reference other than the NEC.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Well you already have a building code violation of the 7' minimum ceiling requirement, so I guess after that it doesn't really matter.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Well you already have a building code violation of the 7' minimum ceiling requirement, so I guess after that it doesn't really matter.

If it is an existing structure then it isn't a violation. Yes???

 

[jxofaltrds]

IRC based:

5. Existing Basements. Habitable spaces created in existing basements shall be permitted to have ceiling heights of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2036 mm). Obstructions may project to within 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm) of the basement floor.

 

[LarryFine]

Obstructions may project to within 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm) of the basement floor.

My hair would just brush such projections, except maybe right after a haircut.

 

[cowboyjwc]

If it is an existing structure then it isn't a violation. Yes???

Sorry, but I'm not well versed enough on the building code to know when that came into being, so you could be right, but "existing nonconforming" has never been an official mulligan.

JXO has something there, but we haven't adopted the IRC yet.

 

[eprice]

JXO has something there, but we haven't adopted the IRC yet.

I'm pretty confident there is a section in California's version of the IBC that will be similar. Actual numbers may be a little different, but the building code will specify minimum ceiling heights. It might be in Chapter 10 near Section 1003. That is where the unamended IBC talks about ceiling height and protruding objects within the means of egress (paths where people walk to get out of the building)

 

[firelient]

Thanks for all the input. I think it will help