Code Change Summary: Section 314.27(C) was relocated and revised as 314.27(B) in the 2026 NEC^® to clarify which boxes must be fan-rated, and to eliminate vague language that led to over-interpretation in prior editions.

SME commentary: In the 2026 NEC^®, what was formerly Section 314.27(C) is now renumbered as 314.27(B) and rewritten to clearly identify where fan-rated outlet boxes must be used. The revision was made in direct response to widespread confusion caused by the 2023 NEC^® phrase “in a location acceptable for the installation of a ceiling-suspended paddle fan.” That phrase left inspectors and installers uncertain about which ceiling outlet boxes actually required a fan-rated box.

Under the 2023 language, some inspectors interpreted “acceptable locations” broadly and began requiring fan-rated boxes at nearly every ceiling outlet in habitable rooms, including kitchens and dining areas where ceiling fans are rarely installed. Builders and electricians reported being required to provide fan-rated boxes in multiple locations around a single room simply because a ceiling fan could be installed there. Each of these boxes adds cost and complexity without offering a corresponding safety benefit.

The 2026 revision corrects this problem by defining the required locations more precisely. Ceiling outlet boxes mounted centrally in the ceilings of living and sleeping areas within dwelling units in locations that are typical for the installation of ceiling-suspended fans, and in locations that are indicated by the installer, designer, or building owner for a ceiling fan are required to have a fan-rated box. These criteria remove the ambiguity of “acceptable location” and align the requirement with actual design intent.

As before, any required fan outlet box must comply with one of two conditions:

1. It must be listed for the sole support of a ceiling-suspended fan, or
2. It must be installed to allow direct access through the box to structural framing capable of supporting the fan without removing the box.

This refinement provides both clarity and flexibility. It focuses fan-rated outlet box requirements on realistic fan installation areas, typically centered ceiling outlets in bedrooms, family rooms, and similar spaces. At the same time, it allows designers and owners to identify additional fan locations if desired, ensuring safety where fans are actually intended rather than where they are merely possible.

By removing unnecessary ambiguity, the 2026 NEC^® revision to 314.27(B) reduces enforcement inconsistency, prevents excessive cost for unneeded fan-rated boxes, and better reflects modern construction and design practices. The updated language provides a clear, enforceable standard that preserves electrical safety while avoiding over-application of requirements that do not enhance protection.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2026 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.

2023 Code Language:

314.27(C) Boxes at Ceiling-Suspended Paddle Fan Outlets (in part). Outlet boxes mounted in the ceilings of habitable rooms of dwelling occupancies in a location acceptable for the installation of a ceiling-suspended paddle fan shall comply with one of the following:

(1) Listed for the sole support of ceiling-suspended paddle fans

(2) Installed so as to allow direct access through the box to structural framing capable of supporting a ceiling-suspended paddle fan without removing the box

2026 Code Language:

314.27(B) Boxes at Ceiling-Suspended Paddle Fan Outlets.

(2) Required Locations. Ceiling outlet boxes mounted centrally in the ceilings of living and sleeping areas within dwelling units in locations that are typical for the installation of a ceiling-suspended paddle fan and in locations that are indicated by the installer, designer, or building owner for the installation of a ceiling‐suspended paddle fan shall meet one of the following:

(1) Be listed for the sole support of ceiling-suspended paddle fans

(2) Be installed to allow direct access through the box to structural framing capable of supporting a ceiling-suspended paddle fan without removing the box