Read all instructions carefully before attempting to install this stair. You should
possess the skill or knowledge to hang a door before attempting to install this
stairway; if not, hire a professional carpenter. It is necessary to have a helper when
installing this stairway. This unit is shipped partially assembled, some assembly is
required. This unit is shipped in two cartons, shipping weight approximately 95 lbs.
Carton #1 -
Carton #2 -
NOTE TO INSTALLER: This unit will work properly with almost any ceiling thickness
of 6-3/4” to 12". If more than 12” contact the factory for instruction.
Before beginning installation, check part #5 Guide Frame to insure the dimension
between the slide bars #5A is 16-5/8" + 1/32” - O” and parallel. Also check part #1
0 Panel Bracket mounted on the door panel for this same dimension and alignment
for slide bars #1OA. This dimension is critical to the ease of operation of this unit.
Make certain parts 5A and 1OA Slide Bars have not been bent or displaced in
shipping.
STEP 1. Cut rough opening to 25-1/2” x 54”. This will allow you to shim between
the rough frame and the finished jamb to insure squareness, 90 degrees. Use a
level to insure finished jamb is level with the floor.
This Bessier Model 26 is designed to be installed in ceilings that are 6-3/4"
or thicker up to 12”. If your ceiling is thicker than 12”, contact the factory.
STEP 2. Nail two temporary siats across the opening from the ceiling side. Carefully
lower the Jamb Assembly into the opening allowing the door panel #15 to rest on
the temporary slats. This will insure the door panel is even with the ceiling material.
Use 16D nails, 1/4” x 2.5” lag screws or #10 x 2.5” sheet metal screws to secure
the jamb to the rough opening. Do Not use sheet rock screws or finishing nails
to secure this jamb. Remove the temporary slats.
STEP 3. Place the angle of the Guide Frame #5 on the top edge of the rough
opening and header and of the jamb. Insure the guide frame is centered with the
door panel as this part must align with the panel bracket #1 0. The Guide Frame
angle should be flush with the attic floor and the inside face of the finished jamb.
In thicker ceiling applications it is acceptable to mount the Guide Frame #5 to the
attic floor and the rough opening header. Secure with #1 0 x l' pan head screws. If
the installation is correct, the slide bars #5A should pivot down inside the jamb.
STEP 4. INSTALLING LADDER. Remove the ladder assembly from carton. (Set
the handrail to the side for now.) Have your helper hold open the door panel so the
guide frame (#5) is exposed (the door panel already has the cables and spring
tension applied so care should be taken). Notice the top three treads are left out
of the top of the stringer assembly. When engaging the guide frame slide bars
(#5A) it will be necessary to slightly bend in the top of the ladder to allow the slide
bars to nest into the grooves (See Figure 2). Once the slide bars are nested into
the grooves, lift the ladder up high enough to insert the ladder rods, washers, and
nuts in the center holes provided but don't tighten the nuts yet. You'll notice two of
the treads are 5-1/2” x 16-1/16" and one is 7-1/4" x 16-1/16". The wider tread is
your top tread (#18). Insert the two narrow treads (#2) into the gains starting from
the face edge of the ladder towards the back of the ladder. (See Figure 3). Now
insert the top tread. Tighten the ladder rod nuts at this time, Use the #1 0 x 1-1 /4"
Pan Head screws to secure the treads to the stringers. lnsure treads are snug in
the bottom of the gains.
HOW TO INSTALL MODEL 26 STAIRWAY
Finished jamb, drum mounting brackets w/spring drum assemblies,
jamb brackets, dampener w/mounting brackets, door panel, panel
bracket, upper guide frame, treads (steps), fasteners, miscellaneous
hardware, instruction sheet/parts list.
Two stringers partially assembled, one handrail and handrail posts.
All wood parts are pre-machined.
5.
5A.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
10A.
11.
12.
15.
16.
17.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
GUIDE FRAME
SLIDE BARS
SPRING DRUM ASSEMBLY
PANEL DRUM
STRINGER DRUM
JAMB BRACKET
PANEL BRACKET
SLIDE BARS
CABLES (PANEL)
CABLES (STRINGER)
DOOR PANEL
PIANO HINGE
DOOR PANEL CHAIN
FINISHED JAMB
EXISTING CEILING JOIST
SHEET ROCK
ATTIC FLOOR DECKING
DOOR PANEL STOP
#10 x 3/4 P.H. SCREW
EYE BOLT
HEADER BRACKET (DAMPENER)
DAMPENER
DOOR BRACKET (DAMPENER)
12
31
18
8
16
7
5
6
8
7
9
11
2
20”
4
15
17
13
1
14
3
FIG. 1.
#10x1
1
/
4
” PAN HEAD
SHEET METAL SCREWS
#10x24 HEX NUT
WASHER
WASHER
STRINGERS
WASHER
#10-24x17
7
/
16
”
LADDER RODS
GROOVE
GAINS
FIG. 2.
FIG. 3.
