HomeMy WebLinkAboutCeiling Fans
To: All Property Owners
Re: Replacement of Ceiling Light Fixtures with Ceiling Fans
The retrofit of ceiling fans can create conflicts with the building codes and housing codes. Some
of the issues to be considered are:
♦ Removal of the required switched ceiling light fixture
means that the retrofit fan must also have a light fixture
accessory kit.
♦ Only electrical outlet boxes listed for use with ceiling fans
shall be permitted as the sole means of support for a
ceiling fan 35 pounds or less.
♦ Ceiling fans exceeding 35 pounds must be supported
independently of the electrical outlet box.
♦ Smoke alarms may be installed in the near vicinity of
ceiling fans only if specifically approved by the
manufacturer’s installation instructions.
♦ Smoke alarms less than 3 feet from the outer portion of
ceiling fans should be relocated as far from the ceiling fans
as physical limitations allow.
♦ Battery smoke alarms are easily relocated but “hard wired”
smoke alarms usually have to be moved parallel to the
ceiling framing members or be connected by surface-
mounted conduits.
City of Iowa City
Housing and Inspection Services
hisinsp\ceilfans.doc