CENTURY AL2211R5 Folding Aluminum Attic Ladder Instruction Manual

CENTURY AL2211R5 Folding Aluminum Attic Ladder

Product Information

The product is an attic ladder kit that comes with different models: AL2211R5, AL2511R5, WL2211L FTAL2211, ALE2211, ALE2511, and ALE3011. The ladder is mounted in aluminum feet and has different dimensions for each model. The ladder is designed to fit in different ceiling heights ranging from 7’7″ to 10’3″. The ladder rails are not pre-marked for angle cuts.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Using a tape measure, double-check the height of the ceiling.
2. Determine the location to cut the ladder rail and ladder feet for your ceiling height. Follow table 3 and Figure 13.
3. Cut the side rails and ladder feet (when required) at the appropriate line. Note: The rail is not pre-marked for angle cuts.
4. Press down on the climbing section to ensure that the folding arms are fully extended.
5. Slide aluminum foot over the ladder rail as shown in Figure 14. Position so the rubber foot is in contact holes in the rail. Attach using (2) 1/4 bolts and serrated nuts per side (included).
6. Check the length after making your cuts. Again, be sure the attic ladder power arms are fully extended.
7. Trimmed correctly, your attic ladder should look like Figure 16. Verify that there are no gaps in the section.

CAUTION
DO NOT REMOVE THIS STRAP UNTIL INSTRUCTED!

WARNING
Before you start installing your new Century Ceiling Mounted Folding Attic Ladder, you must read and understand the following:

1. For residential use only. Not for use in a commercial or industrial setting.

2. Installation requires two people.

3. Do NOT remove plastic straps holding the ladder sections together until instructed.

4. Check the ceiling height to make sure the ladder length is correct. If the ladder is too short, return it to the point of purchase for an exchange. Under no circumstance is any folding attic ladder
   to be used when the ceiling-to-floor measurement exceeds the maximum ceiling height as indicated for the Ceiling Mounted Folding Attic Ladder you are installing (See “Ceiling Height Range” column in table 1).

5. This folding attic ladder is completely assembled and is ready for installation.
   Do not disassemble it to install.

6. The springs / gas cylinders on this folding attic ladder are under pressure. Do not attempt to remove or replace before installation.

7. Prior to installation, verify that all fasteners are properly tightened. Re-check these periodically after initial installation.

8. Make sure there is no wiring or piping that the saw or drill can come in contact with during installation.

9. Opening or standing on the folding attic ladder’s climbing sections prior to properly fastening to ceiling joists could cause serious bodily injury.

10. Verify that the unit meets local building codes and that the intended area of installation is of sufficient strength to be used for a walking or working surface.

11. If the home has roof trusses, do not cut the ceiling joists without consulting an engineer for approval.

12. Before installation, read all the instruction labels on the folding attic ladder.

13. Improper installation could result in serious bodily injury.

14. Do not attempt to open the door prior to installation.

15. Only use the lag screws provided for the permanent installation step.

16. Follow the “Adjust The Ladder Height” instructions on Step 3 for proper trimming instructions.

17. Annually lubricate (spray silicon recommended) pivot points of right and left folding arm mechanism (power arm assembly) to provide smooth, long-lasting operation.

Included with your Folding Attic Ladder

MATERIALS REQUIRED

1. Stepladder
2. Hammer
3. Adjustable wrench
4. Tape measure
5. Hand saw
6. Hack saw
7. Drill
8. Drill bit ⅛”,”
9. Phillips screw driver
10. (2) Temporary boards 1″ × 4″ x 32″
11. Shims

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR WOOD MODELS AND FOR ALUMINUM MODELS
READ INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS COMPLETELY BEFORE STARTING

IMPORTANT: Do not open folding attic ladder until instructed to in step number 3.

FOLDING ATTIC LADDER LOCATION:
Allow ample room for the swing clearance and the landing space of the folding attic ladder when it is opened (see Figure 3 and table 1). Locate the folding attic ladder rough opening so that when you enter the storage area, you will have adequate head clearance.
You must have a rough opening that matches TABLE 1. If not, proceed to the appendix for framing instructions.

MODEL| ROUGH
OPENING | CEILING HT.
RANGE “A” | LANDING
SPACE “B”| SWING
CLEARENCE “C” 
---|---|---|---|---
WL2211L| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’9”-10’3”| 65”| 74”
AL2211R5| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’8”-10’3”| 66”| 74”
AL2511R5| 25 1/2” X 54”| 7’8”-10’3”| 66”| 74”
FTAL2211| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’8”-10’3”| 67”| 74”
ALE2211| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’7”-10’2”| 68”| 74”
ALE2511| 25 1/2” X 54”| 7’7”-10’2”| 68”| 74”
ALE3011| 30” X 54”| 7’7”-10’2”| *68”| 74”

STEP 1: PRELIMINARY INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

• A. Attach temporary supports “A” and “B” with 2 ½” deck screws as shown in Figure 4.
  Support “A” should be located at the end where the door hinge of the ladder will go. The edge of support “A” should extend into the rough opening 3/s” as shown in Figure 5. Make sure both screws penetrate header above ceiling.

• B. Measuring from the inside edge of support “A”, locate and secure the inside edge of support “B” 52 7/s”from inside edge of support “A” (Figure 5). Make sure both screws penetrate header above ceiling.

• C. Thread pull cord through pre-drilled hole in door and tie a knot in end of cord. Length can be adjusted after ladder is completely installed. Be sure the knot is large enough to not slip through the hole.

• For aluminum models, remove aluminum feet on bottom section. These will be reinstalled in Step 3.

• D. Position one person up in the attic, and position the other person in the room below. When using stepladder make sure ladder is fully open, all feet firmly supported and user’s weight and materials he is carrying does not exceed the load rating of the ladder.

• E. The person below will need to raise the attic ladder into the rough opening and with assistance from person above position securely on the temporary support boards.(Figure 6).
  CAUTION: DO NOT try and open the attic ladder door at this time. The ladder could shift and fall out of the ceiling. Wait until after completing step “F”.

• F. Make sure frame on door hinge end of ladder is pushed up against header and is centered side to side in rough opening. With the door closed, secure frame to header using two 2 1/2″ wood screws (Figure 7). Due to the tight conditions, screws will need to be installed at an angle through the frame and into the header. Do not use the pre-drilled holes for the wood screws. These holes are used in Step 2.

• G. Carefully open attic ladder door but do not unfold the climbing section until indicated in step 3. Center and square the opposite side of attic ladder frame in the rough opening using shims. Ensure ladder frame is square by measuring diagonals of the frame within 1/8″(Figure 7).
• H. secure sides of ladder frame to ceiling joists with 2 1 /2″ wood screws at shim locations (Figure 7). Do not use pre-drilled holes for wood screws. Pre-drilled holes are used in Step 2.
  CAUTION: This is only a temporary connection, DO NOT climb on ladder in this condition. Wait until after completing Step 3.

STEP 2: PERMANENT INSTALLATION

• A. The ladder comes with pre-drilled holes for permanent installation at locations shown in Figure 8 for wood models and Figure 9 for aluminum models. Shim, when necessary to fill space between ladder frame and rough opening, at pre-drilled locations. Using 1/s” drill bit, drill pilot holes through shim into ceiling joists and header.

• B. Install the ten 3″ lag screws provided, at each location to permanently secure the ladder.
• C. WARNING: Never use deck or sheetrock screws in place of lag screws for permanent installation.
• D. Remove temporary boards from ceiling installed in step 1.

STEP 3: ADJUST LADDER LENGTH

Remove plastic straps holding the sections together and carefully unfold ladder to the ground rotating bottom section behind middle section (Figure 10).

WOOD MODELS ONLY:
(Aluminum models: skip to next section on page 8)

• A. Press down on top and middle sections of the ladder to ensure the power arms are fully extended before taking measurements for trimming your ladder.
• B. With a straight edge, measure distances from middle section to floor, for both A & B lengths (Figure 11 ). Record the results in the space provide in table 2. Take measurements for both the left and right rails.

• C. Complete the table: Subtract¼” from each measurement and record in table 2 in row titled “Cut Length”
• D. Transfer these dimensions to the bottom section of the ladders right and left rails and draw a cutting line between the two points. Trim bottom section to length using wood saw.
• E. Install rubber tread to bottom ends of rail using 1″ screws provided. Drill ½6″ pilot holes into wood prior to installing screws to prevent splitting of rail (Figure 12).

Proceed to “Check the length after making your cuts” on page 9 …

ALUMINUM MODELS ONLY:

• A. Using a tape measu re double check the heig ht of the ceiling.
• B. Determine the location to cut the leadder rail and ladder feet for your ceiling height. Follow table 3 and Figu re 13.

• C. Cut the side rails and ladder feet (when required) at the appropriate line. NOTE: The rail is not pre—ma rked for angle cut s.
• D. Press down on the climbing se ction to ensure that the folding a rms are fully extended.
• E. Slide aluminum foot over ladder rail as shown in Figu re 14. Position so the rubber foot is in contact
  holes in rail. Attach using (2) 1/4″ bolts and se rrated nuts per side (included).

Check the length a fter making your cuts
Again, be su re the attic ladder p ower arms are fully extended. Trimmed correctly, your attic ladder should look like Figu re 16. Verify that there are no gaps in the se action and both feet are flat on the floor.

If the attic ladder looks like Figu re 17, then both of the legs a re too long and need to be trimmend fu rther.
If the attic ladder looks like Figu re 15, then both of the legs a re too short, and the attic ladder is not safe to use. A new Iower section would need to be purchased from the manufacturer.

• F. Install weather stripping per instru ctions provided. (AL2211R5, AL2511R5, WL2211L models)
• G. To install trim molding Ie ave 3/8″ clearance between your door panel at the hinged end and 1/8″ on other 3 sides.

For customer service, call
1-866-244-7008 or e-mail info@centuryattic.com

APPENDIX – Framing A Rough Opening Parallel To Ceiling Joist
Make a rough opening to the size as required in table 1 ensuring that the dimensions of the diagonals of the frame are the same as illustrated in Figure 18.

 |  |  |  |
---|---|---|---|---
WL2211L| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’9”-10’3”| 65”| 74”
AL2211R5| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’8”-10’3”| 66”| 74”
AL2511R5| 25 1/2” X 54”| 7’8”-10’3”| 66”| 74”
FTAL2211| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’8”-10’3”| 67”| 74”
ALE2211| 22 1/2” X 54”| 7’7”-10’2”| 68”| 74”
ALE2511| 25 1/2” X 54”| 7’7”-10’2”| 68”| 74”
ALE3011| 30” X 54”| 7’7”-10’2”| *68”| 74”

A. For Rough opening without joist removal (Figure 18)

• Locate headers in front and rear of the opening as shown in Figure 18.
• Check for squareness by making sure that diagonal measurements are within ⅛”.
• Secure using (3) 16d nails into each end of the Header.

B. Rough opening with joist removal (Figure 19)

• Install temporary support boards spanning both sides of joists to be removed.
• Remove joist at length to allow for double headers to be installed on both ends of opening.
  Continued on next page…

(Figure 20)
Locate double headers at each end of opening and secure with (3) 16d nails into each end of the headers. Install stringer and check for squareness by making sure that diagonals are within 1/8″.
Secure using (3) 4″ nails into each end of the stringer.
CAUTION: Consult an engineer or building construction expert for installations that require the removal of roof trusses or rough openings perpendicular to the ceiling joists.

Recomendation for door paint
A Kilz primer coat can be applied to the door surface with a roller or brush. This seals the door material to avoid possible water damage during painting. Specifically, we recommend applying Kilz Brand Oil-based Original Interior Primer to the entire door surface to ensure suitable protection and a uniform appearance of the topcoat. The surface is ready for painting 1 hour after application of the primer. The Kilz primer works with Alkyd, Oil and Water- based Topcoats.

Customer service: 1-866-244-7008 or e-mail info@centuryattic.com
Servicio al cliente: 1-866-244-7008 o e-mail info@centuryattic.com

Safety and Maintenance Tips

• Read and follow all use instruction’s provided on the labels applied to the inside of the door.

• Annually lubricate (spray silicon recommended) pivot points of folding arm mechanism. Inspect ladder before each use for damage and loose or missing fasteners.

• Available replacement parts:

  • Wood and Aluminum Models:
    Ladder hinges, Bottom Section, Gas Cylinder, Folding Arms, and Pull Cord

  • Aluminum models only:
    Aluminum Feet and Plastic corner clips for steps

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