Preparing The Ladder
1. Remove the ladder from its packaging and place it lid down on a bench or saw stool.
The lid is less likely to get damaged there than laying it on the ground, as well as
being better for your back!
2. Lift the three ladder sections up off the lid (figure 7) by adjusting the four bracket
sliders to allow adequate toe clearance when climbing the ladder.
Installing The Ladder
1. Screw four temporary cleats approx 80mm x 40mm into your timber frame
(figure 8). Ensure cleats can be rotated.
The cleats must be securely fixed as they carry the full weight of the ladder.
Note: If the ladder is to be installed before the ceiling lining is in place, the cleats
must be packed down the thickness of the intended ceiling lining.
2. Lift the ladder through the opening into the attic space. Then lower down squarely
into the opening so the lid of the ladder rests on the temporary cleats. This is
normally best done from below. For safety and ease it is highly recommended that
two people complete this step. Rotate the cleats off the lid and onto the frame of the
ladder.
3. Check and confirm there is plenty of frame sitting on the cleats before proceeding
further. Adjust if necessary. The ladder must not be allowed to fall, as this could cause
serious physical injury
.
4. Carefully open the ladder, checking that the frame remains securely on the cleats.
Adjust if necessary.
Do not put any weight on the ladder at this stage
.
5. From a step ladder or work platform (not the attic ladder), pre-drill three 6mm holes
through the hinge end of the ladder frame and screw in the timbertight screws
supplied making sure there is solid timber behind. Do not fit tight yet (figure 9).
6. Carefully close the ladder and check if square. Wedges or packers may be needed
at one side of the hinge strip to square the unit in the opening. This may require
reopening the ladder and loosening or tightening one of the screws a little.
7. With the ladder open, pre-drill two 6mm holes in each side of the attic ladder frame
making sure there is solid timber behind. Screw through the pre-drilled holes into the
ceiling frame (figure 10). Do not fit tight yet.
8. Remove temporary cleats.
9. Carefully close the ladder and check that the ladder frame is showing around the lid
evenly. Adjust the side fixings and fit packers as necessary between the ladder frame
and the ceiling frame. Make sure the sides stay plumb and straight.
10. Now tighten all screws and check again.
figure 8
figure 9
figure 10
figure 7
