There’s NO way this is safe.

[Cullen D.]

I’ll get a picture of this tomorrow, but it’s dark out so you’ll just have to take my word for it for now.

This past November the workshop at my house was converted into a media room, so we’re building a new workshop off to the side so my dad and I can have a workshop again. I’ve decided to put a Hunter Original in there, but there’s a huge problem. I know these fans should be screwed into the building structure, not an electrical box.

The electricians put in one of those electrical boxes that mounts to the SIDE of the joist. No structure whatsoever above the box- only on ONE side. They insist on not changing it out because they claim it will hold the fan. They even know what a Hunter Original is and said they’ve installed them on boxes like these before. I’m still not convinced it’s safe.

Like I said, I’ll get a picture tomorrow, but what do you guys think? Dangerous? I say so!

[Cole S.]

Speaking AS someone in the electrical trade, other electricians who think they know more about fans than me drive me nuts. Like no, I don't care how long you've been in the trade, I have more fan knowledge in my pinky than you do in your whole body. [/rant_off]

Anywho, I wouldn't mount a 52"+ Original to anything that mounts to the side. That's just a lot of force pulling on a free edge. I'd have to see the box and will check back to do so. I don't know that I'd say it's going to fall down, but I think the box will sag to an extent at very least. If it mounts with anything less than a solid few screws, they're nuts and full of BS. If it mounts with nails tell them to take it the F down and do something proper. If it's a plastic box they need to be committed. FTR there are METAL boxes that can be safely used with Originals, I particularly love the Westinghouse Saf-T-Box. It has nice threaded studs for mounting fans to.

[Cullen D.]

They’re putting a 2x4 under the box, so it will be safe.

[Cole S.]

Excellent.

[Deleted]

oh no it's not safe,glad the 2x4 is there

[Max C.]

Feb 27, 2018 2:57:25 GMT -5 Cole S. said:

Speaking AS someone in the electrical trade, other electricians who think they know more about fans than me drive me nuts. Like no, I don't care how long you've been in the trade, I have more fan knowledge in my pinky than you do in your whole body. [/rant_off]

Anywho, I wouldn't mount a 52"+ Original to anything that mounts to the side. That's just a lot of force pulling on a free edge. I'd have to see the box and will check back to do so. I don't know that I'd say it's going to fall down, but I think the box will sag to an extent at very least. If it mounts with anything less than a solid few screws, they're nuts and full of BS. If it mounts with nails tell them to take it the F down and do something proper. If it's a plastic box they need to be committed. FTR there are METAL boxes that can be safely used with Originals, I particularly love the Westinghouse Saf-T-Box. It has nice threaded studs for mounting fans to.

"But its just a ceiling fan."  Seriously, the fact that it doesn't fall down immediately doesn't mean an install is safe.  Its particularly hilarious when you hear guys claiming plastic boxes cans safely hold a heavy fan...