Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Need to mount ceiling fan through drywall + Plaster

I have a ceiling fan in my kitchen. My ceiling is several layers consisting of plaster and lathe, then furring strips, then drywall mounted to the furring strips. We replaced the existing box because the moron who installed it (previous owner) simply secured the box into the plaster with toggle bolts and because the fan is so heavy, the plaster began to give way and the fan was about to fall. We used one of those boxes mounted to the bars that you extend between the joists.

Problem: because of all the layers, the box did not extend out far enough so we added an extension ring onto it to bring the box out through the ceiling. The electric inspector said this was not allowed. I asked him what my options were and he said (very snotty) rip the ceiling down and replace it with just drywall. This is not an option as we can not afford.

Anyone have any suggestions to get around this? I would prefer not to have to take out the fan. Anything I do has to be from the kitchen side because we can not access anything from above because there is just roof above ceiling.

If an idea of where I am is needed for code, I am in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

ANY advice would be appreciated.

If you have the type of fan brace that has legs to support it off the drywall and that screws into the joists, try to turn it so the legs stick up away from the plaster and drywall. This should let the box project down to the finished surface. This would require some help to make sure your get the correct position for the bar before securing it in its final position.

If that doesn't work perhaps you could remove just a small portion of the ceiling in the affected area.

A second idea . . . see if you can attach a deeper box to the brace.

Thanks for the replies. After my father discussed the fan mounting with the inspector he approved the setup we had. The inspector was concerned that the screws connecting the extension ring to the box were too small and would snap off. My dad made sure to put decent screws so all is well. :) Besides, when my dad told the inspector that the fan was originally mounted with drywall screws directly to the drywall, not mounted to a stud or beam, the inspector let it go.

Anyway, electrical nightmare over! Inspection passed on round two with flying colors. Now, who wants to come over and help plaster holes :D