My daughter has a fan in her room and we wish to add a remote control system. The question relates to whether when you install the remote unit will the "pull chains" still be active or must they be disabled/disconnected for the remote to work properly?

You can add a remote receiver in the Fan Canopy cover, You will want to leave the pull switch for light On, and Fan on high. Then don't use the pull chains, or sometimes the remote won't control light if off. And Fan MUST remain on high on pull switch or harm can occur to the motor from lugging.

Strat is correct. Leave the pullchains set to "on" and "high" and wire the remote as though they don't exist.

Ceiling fan wiring - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-wiring.php)