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  Technical
  

Understanding NEC 2020 mandates, UL testing standards, and the importance of proper installation for ceiling fan support

Why Fan-Rated Junction Boxes Matter

Ceiling fans place unique stresses on electrical boxes as ordinary boxes for lighting weren’t built to handle the vibration and movement of a fan. To ensure safety and compliance, only fan-rated junction boxes, tested and certified by UL and required by the National Electrical Code (NEC), should be used. 

NEC 2020 Requirements

The 2020 NEC mandates fan-rated boxes in any habitable room where a ceiling fan could be installed, even if no fan is present during construction. This prevents unsafe retrofits and ensures long-term safety.

Testing Standards (UL 514A)

Fan-rated boxes undergo rigorous static and dynamic load tests. They must support fans up to 35, 50, or 70 pounds, with clear markings indicating their capacity. Testing simulates real-world conditions, including imbalanced loads and loosened screws, to guarantee reliability. 

Box Ratings & Markings

Boxes are labeled by their tested weight limits (35, 50, or 70 pounds in the US and Mexico). In Canada, any fan over 16 kg must be independently supported. Screw types and installation hardware differ by country. 

Where Are Fan-Rated Boxes Required?

Fan-rated boxes are required in all habitable rooms except bathrooms, closets, hallways, and similar spaces. Exceptions include areas too close to walls or above certain countertops. 

Product Example: DMF’s F4NC Housing

DMF’s F4NC junction box meets UL 514A requirements and is rated for fixture support up to 50 pounds in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and for ceiling-suspended fan support up to 35 pounds and up to 16-inch joist spacing in the US and Mexico.

Additionally, the F4NC boasts STC/IIC Sound Rating, ASTM E283 Air Tight rating, and is code compliant for use in appropriate fire-rated assemblies for up to two hours.

The F4NC features a highly durable, universal bar hanger design, accommodating joist spacing from 14 to 24 inches  (up to 16 inches maximum joist spacing for fan-rated applications) — or even down to 8 inches with simple field modification. For secure installation, the F4NC is supplied with two #8-32 screws for fixture support and six pre-installed screws to fasten the bar hangers to joists. Note that for ceiling suspended fan support, the F4NC may be installed into wood joist or studs only and all 6 joist screws must be fastened.

DMF Product Solutions

F4NC Housing

For a deeper dive on fan-rated standards, testing, ratings and requirements, review the Fan-Rated Junction Boxes Technical Bulletin.

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  News
  

Decorative Pendants with Shades stand out for clean aesthetic, technical sophistication and flexibility

The Product Innovation Awards (PIA) honor the most transformative products, systems, and materials that empower architects to reach new heights of creativity and performance in their designs.

The awards shine a spotlight on groundbreaking products and solutions, guiding architects, building owners, and specification influencers toward the creation of spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional. Judged by a distinguished panel of industry leaders, the program elevates manufacturers whose visionary concepts and advanced systems are shaping the future of the built environment. Amidst the thousands of new ideas introduced each year, the Decorative Pendants with Shades represent the pinnacle of excellence.

“These products stand out for their clean aesthetic, technical sophistication and user-centric flexibility.” – Architectural Product Innovation Award Judge

The Impact of Decorative Pendants with Shades

DMF’s X Series 3-inch and M Series 4-inch Decorative Pendants with Shades have rapidly become a defining element in contemporary architectural and interior design projects. Their influence is seen in several key areas:

Elevating Aesthetic and Ambiance

These pendants are celebrated for their ability to seamlessly blend high-output performance with refined design. The concealed hardware and die-cast aluminum shades create a sleek, symmetrical profile, allowing the fixtures to serve as both functional lighting and sculptural focal points. In hospitality and commercial projects, designers have used these pendants to establish visual rhythm and elevate the overall ambiance, making spaces feel both sophisticated and inviting.

Versatility in Application

With options for narrow, medium, and wide shade distributions, as well as multiple lengths and mounting configurations, these pendants have been successfully integrated into a wide range of environments — from open-plan offices and hotel lobbies to upscale restaurants. The field-cuttable cord or stem mounting allows for tailored installations, accommodating high ceilings and unique architectural features.

Enhanced Lighting Performance

The pendants’ advanced optical engineering — offering up to 3000 lumens, a full spectrum of color temperatures, and dimming down to 0.1% — enables designers to precisely select and control illumination. The shadowless uplight option, which allows for both direct and indirect lighting from a single fixture, has been particularly impactful in projects requiring layered lighting schemes. This flexibility supports both task and ambient lighting, improving visual comfort and energy efficiency.

Design Flexibility and Customization

Specifically designed for architecturally demanding indoor and outdoor spaces, these fixtures have been praised for their modular design, tool-less field-changeable optics, and embedded drivers for easy serviceability. In open ceilings and shallow plenum installations, the pendants have enabled designers to achieve both aesthetic and technical goals without compromise, including improved lighting uniformity, reduced glare, and enhanced user experience, especially in collaborative and hospitality settings.

The ability to select from various shade diameters, beam spreads, and color temperatures has empowered designers to customize lighting solutions for each project’s unique requirements. This has resulted in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional, supporting diverse activities and moods throughout the day.

The Decorative Pendants with Shades are showcased in the November/December issue (page 58) of Architectural Products, with the 2025 honorees also noted on the magazine’s website.

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  News
  

Recognized for Simplifying Lighting Specification

The annual Product Innovation Awards (PIAs) presented by BUILDINGS magazine honor the most exceptional building materials and solutions, empowering professionals to design commercial spaces that are not only aesthetically remarkable but also highly functional and efficient.

Judged by esteemed experts spanning every discipline of building design and management, the PIAs illuminate manufacturers whose visionary concepts, products, and systems are advancing the built environment, setting new benchmarks for excellence and innovation.

The 4-inch and 6-inch commercial downlights feature a modular, tool-less, plug-and-play design and streamlined options, providing an exceptional balance between performance, serviceability and affordability.

Drivers are integrated into the modules, so modules can be easily and cost-effectively swapped out from below ceiling – no ripping out ceiling – making serviceability quick, and allowing flexibility for touch-safe, onsite changes.  This ease of use didn’t go unnoticed by the PIA experts.  One judge noted,

“The lumen options will provide the right light for any installation, and the tool-less replacement means designers can spec something beautiful that facilities can actually maintain.” — PIA Awards Judge

Modules feature an adjustable lumen switch allowing one module to be used throughout a building to meet different ceiling heights. In combination with the powerful light engine modules, the trims feature an integrated mixing chamber and wide-angle dispersion, providing high efficiency. Trim dimensions are one of the industry’s smallest in the 4-inch and 6-inch categories, offering more of an architectural look.

Streamlined options make ordering easy and fulfillment extremely quick. And even with the simplified options, there is no compromises in performance and light quality.

A complementing 4-inch cylinder pendant is ideal for projects that can’t accommodate recessed downlights, such as in open ceilings or retrofits into existing junction boxes.

View the C Series downlights in BUILDINGS 4^th Quarter print issue or online or on our website.