Use and Care Guide

ManualsBrandsWerner ManualsAttic LaddersW2210

Table of Contents Page

Section 1 Important Questions to Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

– Are you capable of installing this access ladder? . . . . . . . . . . .2

– Does this access ladder meet your needs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

– Is your ceiling and joist structure suitable? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

– Do these instructions meet your needs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Section 2 Checking the Access Ladder Condition . . . . . . . . .3

Section 3 Persons,Tools and Materials Needed . . . . . . . . . . .3

Section 4 Finding a Suitable Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Section 5 Cutting a Hole in the Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Section 6 Cutting the Ceiling Joists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Section 7 Framing the Rough Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

– Installing Headers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

– Installing Stringers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Section 8 Installing Temporary Support Boards . . . . . . . . .12

Section 9 Positioning the Access Ladder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Section 10 Shimming, Squaring and Nailing

the Access Ladder in Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Section 11 Trimming the Access Ladder Legs . . . . . . . . . . . .14

SpaceMaster

TURNS EMPTY SPACE INTO STORAGE SPACE!

Wood Overhead

Access Ladder

Installation Instructions

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY

Summary of content (16 pages)

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SpaceMaster ® TURNS EMPTY SPACE INTO STORAGE SPACE!® Wood Overhead Access Ladder Installation Instructions FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY Table of Contents Page Section 1 Important Questions to Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 – Are you capable of installing this access ladder? . . . . . . . . . . .2 – Does this access ladder meet your needs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 – Is your ceiling and joist structure suitable? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Section 1 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER Read instructions completely before beginning. This is necessary to ensure that you have a suitable location for the access ladder and the ability to safely and properly install it. Are you capable of installing this access ladder? To install this access ladder you should have sawing, squaring, and aligning skills similar to those required to install a window or a door frame.
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(Continued) Section 1 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER Is your ceiling and joist structure suitable for this installation? WARNING: DO NOT CUT THESE TYPES OF STRUCTURES WITHOUT CONSULTING AN ARCHITECT OR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER. Rafter Ceiling Joist Rafter Ceiling Joist Braces Conventional Roof Frame with Braces Connected to Ceiling Joists Truss Roof Frame Figure 2. Truss roof frame and conventional roof frame with braces connected to ceiling joists.
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Section 3 PERSONS, TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED Stepladder – You need a stepladder that is tall enough so that you can get into the overhead space without stepping above the working height of the stepladder. The working height of the stepladder is two steps down from the top. – Your stepladder must also have a Duty Rating that is greater than the sum of your weight plus the 70 pound weight of the access ladder. CAUTION: Be careful when using a stepladder to climb into and out of the overhead space.
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Section 4 FINDING A SUITABLE LOCATION STEP 4. If there is no ceiling and the access ladder will fit between the joists so that no joists need to be cut, go to Section 7 “FRAMING THE ROUGH OPENING” on page 8–9. If there is no ceiling, but one or more joists need to be cut, go to Section 6 “CUTTING THE CEILING JOISTS” on page 7. If there is a ceiling at this location, you will need to inspect the access area above this location as described in steps 5 and 6.
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Section 5 CUTTING A HOLE IN THE CEILING Before Proceeding: You must have a location that: a. is free of hazards and obstructions in the overhead space b. is free of hazards in the ceiling c. provides enough room for installation d. provides enough room to use WARNING the access ladder Do not saw, cut, or hammer into the ceiling Goal: To cut a hole, that is the correct size, in the until you are sure that the location is free ceiling at the desired location.
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Section 6 CUTTING THE CEILING JOISTS Before Proceeding: You must have either: a) exposed joists, or b) a correctly sized hole at the desired ceiling location. Goal: To cut out any joists that are in the way of your chosen location. Before cutting the joists, you must attach them to other joists in the overhead access to keep the ceiling from sagging or completely collapsing. STEP 1. If the room has a ceiling and you have cut the required hole, go to step 2.
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(Continued) Section 6 CUTTING THE CEILING JOISTS STEP 4. Next, determine where the joist(s) should be cut. Figure 11 shows where to mark the joist(s) that span your chosen location. Note that the joist(s) should be marked back from the edge of your location a distance of 2 times the joist thickness (usually three inches). This leaves room for two joist-sized headers to be placed against each end of the cut joist(s) (see Figure 17 on page 10).
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(Continued) Section 7 FRAMING THE ROUGH OPENING Installing Headers If no joists have been cut, go to “Single Headers” below. If any joists have been cut, go to “Double Headers” on page 10. Single Headers STEP 1. Measure the header length “H” between the joists as shown in Figure 12. STEP 2. Cut 2 headers this length. Use joist-sized lumber. STEP 3. Place one of these headers at one end of your chosen location (Figure 13). The header must fit snugly between the joists.
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(Continued) Section 7 FRAMING THE ROUGH OPENING Double Headers STEP 1. Measure the header length “H” between the uncut joists as shown in Figure 15. STEP 2. Cut 4 headers this length. Use joist-sized lumber. STEP 3. Place one of these headers against the end of the cut joist(s) as shown in Figure 16. It must fit snugly between the uncut joists. Hammer it into position if necessary; if it is more than 1/16 inch too long, trim it. If it is more than 1/16 inch too short, cut another piece. STEP 4.
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(Continued) Section 7 FRAMING THE ROUGH OPENING Installing Stringers STEP 1. Measure the stringer length “S” between the headers (Figure 18). STEP 2. Cut a stringer to this length. Use joist-sized lumber. STEP 3. If the ceiling joist does not provide one side of the frame, then cut a second stringer the same length as the first one. Note that only one stringer is needed in Figure 18 because the ceiling joist provides one side of the frame. STEP 4.
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Section 8 INSTALLING TEMPORARY SUPPORT BOARDS Before Proceeding: You must have a frame of joist-sized lumber the size of the rough opening shown on the box. Goal: To install temporary support boards at both ends of the frame that provide ledges large enough to support the access ladder while still leaving room to open the access ladder. STEP 1. Using four nails, attach a 1" x 4" x 36" board (temporary support board) at the end of the rough opening where the hinged end of the access ladder will be.
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(Continued) Section 9 POSITIONING THE ACCESS LADDER STEP 5. After predrilling using 1⁄8" drill bit, nail the hinged end to the header by driving two 16d nails through the hole in each metal bracket on the headboard (location A at Figure 22). STEP 6. Open the access ladder door by slowly pulling the cord straight down. Pulling the cord at angles other than straight down may shift the access ladder off the temporary support boards and cause it to fall.
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(Continued) Section 10 SHIMMING, SQUARING AND NAILING THE ACCESS LADDER IN PLACE Hinge End A ➨ STEP 2. Pre drill all nail locations shown with arrows in Figure 22 using a 1/8" drill bit. Do not drill into the joists or headers. Nail the access ladder to the frame following these instructions. a. Drive ten 16d nails, checking squareness and re-shimming as necessary, as shown in Figure 22. Nails at locations marked “B” must go through the hole in each of the metal brackets.
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(Continued) Section 11 TRIMMING THE ACCESS LADDER LEGS STEP 4. Measure down from the top of the lower section and mark the measurements “D” and “E” on each side rail. Draw a trim line connecting the 2 marks (Figure 23). These trim lines must be drawn accurately to avoid trimming the legs too short. STEP 5. If either of the trim lines pass through a metal washer or any part of a step, remove the step by unscrewing the metal support rod and sliding the step out. STEP 6.
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ATTIC LADDER ACCESSORIES/OPTIONS/REPLACEMENT PARTS ITEM KIT NO.