Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Is my Outlet box suitable for a ceiling fan?

I just bought a home that was built in 2006 and I would like to replace the ceiling light fixtures for ceiling fans. How do I know if the outlet box that was holding the light fixture is secure enough to hold a ceiling fan? I would like to avoid going to the attic so is it possible to know just by looking at the outlet box?

Welcome to the forums!! It will entail exploratory surgery, either way you go. If you don't want to go up in the attic, remove the light fixture and take a picture of the ceiling box dead on so we can see up into it. Then post it on a site such as photobucket.com and copy/paste the HTML code to your reply post. Seeing it makes a big difference. You will need a fan rated box, and it must be attached to framing members, so we'll wait on the pix.

Typically with boxes so new you should be able to see a sticker or other identifying means to determine if the box is fan rated.

Hi!

Thank you for your reply. I posted some pictures at:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab14/LT2fs/HPIM2145.jpg
and
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab14/LT2fs/HPIM2144.jpg

I did not see a sticker or anything similar saying that it is a fan rated box.

doesn't look likes its suitable to me. there's usually a large center threaded rod in fan boxes. just replace it, don't risk the fan falling from the ceiling. it's not good for anybody.

I think based on your pics that the box is rated for fan support. I am looking at the machine screws holding the bracket and the fact that it looks like it extends thru the back of the box.

If the Op could confirm that the screws do extend and are screwed into the back of the box it would help.

Jim, looks like that to me in the second photo. If those screws do, in fact, extend into the back of the box, it is fan rated. Now, make sure it has at least two large head screws fastened into a framing member above it. It looks as if there are, as the grounding wire is encircling one.
Caulk, fan rated boxes don't come with any threaded rods. It is the manner in which they are attached to the framing member, and not relying on only the ears of the box to attach the fan. The box is tapped in the back for the longer screws to grab beyond the ears. Just for info. Take care.

Thanks for the second opinion Larry. My Dr. says I am going deaf so it was nice to see my eyes aren't taking the same road.

Hi! Yes, the two screws that you can see in these pictures do extend into the back of the box and there are two more screws fastened into a framing member. The wiring that comes from this box is ready for the ceiling fan, so I believe that from what you have told me and the wiring, the builder probably left the outlet box suitable to support a ceiling fan.
Thank you so much for your help!

Good deal! Looks as if you are ready to go. Nowadays, in most cases, where there is a possibility of a ceiling fan being installed, it is easier for the contractor to go ahead and have the electrician install fan rated boxes. There's this thing called "change orders" that come up when someone walks into a nearly finished house and says, "you know, I'd love to mount a ceiling fan there". Saves a lot of time and money to go ahead while it's in the framing stage.

Yep that is a leigit ceiling fan box and I do see them often.

BTW the threads are useally 10-24

so that something you have to watchout.

Merci,Marc