Hi, I would like to install a ceiling fan in my bedroom. The existing electrical box does not appear to be approved for supporting a ceiling fan, and this electrical box is completely embedded in the concrete ceiling. I wonder what options I have to install this fan. Could I order a custom-made circular steel plate with four mounting points and a hole in the center to access the wires from the junction box behind it? What other options am I left with while respecting Quebec electrical rules?

Installing a ceiling fan when your existing box isn't fan-rated and is embedded in concrete is definitely a challenge, but there are workable solutions. The key issue is that a ceiling fan requires a box rated to support dynamic (moving) loads — typically 35 lbs static and 35 lbs dynamic — which standard junction boxes are not designed for.

Before diving into options, one important note: you mentioned Quebec electrical rules. My expertise is specifically in Ontario's electrical regulations (the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, enforced by the ESA). Quebec is governed by the Code de construction du Québec, Chapitre V – Électricité, enforced by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). The principles are similar since both are based on the Canadian Electrical Code, but the specific requirements and permit processes differ. For your project, you'll want to confirm requirements with an RBQ-licensed electrician or contact the RBQ directly.

The Custom Steel Plate Idea

Your instinct about a custom steel plate is creative, but it has a significant problem: the structural load rating. A ceiling fan doesn't just hang — it wobbles, vibrates, and creates rotational torque. A flat plate bolted to concrete would need to be engineered to handle those dynamic forces safely, and the mounting points would need to be anchored into the concrete with appropriate fasteners (sleeve anchors or similar), not just surface-mounted. Without proper engineering, this is a real fall hazard. That said, the concept isn't entirely off the table — a fabricated steel mounting plate properly anchored into the concrete with rated hardware could work, but it would need to be done by someone who understands the load requirements.

More Practical Options

Option 1 – Fan-rated brace bar (if there's any ceiling cavity access). Products like the Westinghouse or Madison fan-rated brace bars expand between joists and are designed for retrofit installs. However, these require some ceiling cavity space — if your concrete ceiling is truly solid with no cavity, this won't apply.

Option 2 – Surface-mounted conduit and a new fan-rated box. An electrician could run surface conduit (raceway) from a new fan-rated box mounted directly into the concrete using proper anchors, connecting back to your existing junction box. This is the most code-compliant approach for a solid concrete ceiling and is commonly done in condos and older concrete construction.

Option 3 – Hugger/flush-mount fan with a low-profile canopy. If the existing box can be reinforced or replaced with a fan-rated box anchored into the concrete, a flush-mount fan minimizes the lever-arm forces on the mounting point, reducing stress on the installation.

The Safety Bottom Line

Regardless of the approach, this work should be done by a licensed electrician — both because of the permit requirements under Quebec's RBQ rules and because a falling ceiling fan is a serious injury risk. The concrete anchoring alone requires knowledge of the right fastener type and embedment depth for your specific ceiling material.

For your next step, contact an RBQ-licensed electrician who has experience with concrete ceiling installations — this is common in Montreal and Quebec City condos, so it's a well-known challenge. You can find licensed contractors through the Régie du bâtiment du Québec at rbq.gouv.qc.ca.

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