BESSLER 26 Instruction sheet

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
7568
7
9
11
2
20”
4
15
17
13
1
14
3
FIG. 1.
#10x11/4” PAN HEAD
SHEET METAL SCREWS
#10x24 HEX NUT
WASHER
WASHER
STRINGERS
WASHER
#10-24x17 7/16”
LADDER RODS
GROOVE
GAINS
FIG. 2. FIG. 3.

After tightening, measure the front and back of the ladder to insure it is 17-1/16"
wide.Insure all ladder rods nuts are tight at this time.(Note: Do not force the slide
bars of either the panel bracket or guide frame over the edge of the ladder
into the grooves as this may spread the bars, damage the brackets,or damage
the ladder).
STEP 5.INSTALLING CABLE HOLDERS.Install stringer cable holders (#13) to the
side of the stringers approximately the third step from the bottom. Use a 1/4-20 x
1-1/4” slotted machine screw and machine screw nut to attach bracket.The back
of the fork should be facing towards the top of the ladder while the hook part of the
fork is facing towards the bottom of the ladder.
STEP 6. INSTALLING STRINGER CABLES. Slide ladder down to its lowest point
at this time.Remove-one of the stringer cables (#l 2) from the shipping fork taking
care that you don't let the cable slip from your hand. Caution should be taken when
handling the cable as the stringer spring drum was shipped from the factory with
approximately the proper spring tension already pre-wound. Bring the cable down
to the cable holder on the side of the ladder about the third step from the bottom.
Insert the cable into the fork of the cable holder (#13). Repeat this procedure for
attaching the other side.IMPORTANT:Insure the ladder doesn't creep upward from
the down position at this point.Add or remove turns of tension as needed. (see step
8).
STEP 7. INSTALLING THE HANDRAIL. Using the handrail (#3) is optional but
recommended.The handrail can be mounted on either the left hand or right hand
side.While the stairway is in its down position, the handrail posts (#4) are mounted
vertically starting inside at the bottom of the ladder with the end of the post sitting
on the bottom step resting against the edge of next step (See Figure 1.) The next
post should be mounted half way up the ladder, and the third should be mounted
towards the top of the ladder. Use #10 x 1-1/4” Pan Hd Phillips Sheet Metal Screws
provided. Next mount the handrail (#3) to the top outside posts (#4) flush with the
angle of the posts (See Figure 1.) Use #10 x 1-1/4” Pan Hd Phillips Sheet Metal
Screws provided to attach handrail to the posts.
STEP 8. ADJUSTING SPRING TENSION. Note:The spring drums come from the
factory with approximately the recommended amount of spring tension. For adding
spring tension to the stringer drums, detach the cable (#12) from the cable
holder (#13). Allow the cable to wind up slowly on to the drum (#8). Caution: do
not let the cable slip from your hand or free-wheel back on to the drum as
this will backwind or break the spring.Take the end of the cable in one hand
and pull off enough cable to cause the spring drum to rotate one turn. Firmly grasp
the drum with your other hand and re-wrap the cable onto the drum one wrap.
Reattach the end of the cable to the corresponding cable holder.To reduce spring
tension, follow the above instruction with the exception that you remove a wrap of
cable from around the drum.
STEP 9.ADJUSTING SPEED OF THE DOOR CLOSURE.To adjust the dampener
(#29) you turn the barrel of the dampener.Turn it right or clockwise to slow down
the closing of the door.Turn it left or counterclockwise to speed up the closing of
the door. Do not allow the door to travel so fast as to allow slamming, as this
will damage the stairway. Proper dampening will allow door to glide closed without
bumping or slamming.
OPERATION: To open stairway, pull down on the chain until the ladder can be
reached. Insure the catch lock (#14) has released and pull the ladder all the way
down until it stops. Allow the feet of the ladder to rest firmly on the floor and insure
the top tread is even with the attic floor.
DO NOT ASCEND THE STAIRWAY IF IT CREEPS UPWARD UNDER ITS OWN
POWER.Refer to STEP 8 for adjusting tension.Treads should be level and parallel
to the floor.TO CLOSE STAIRWAY, push ladder upward until the catch lock (#14)
engages shoulder pin on panel bracket (#10).Allow the spring drums to close the
door panel. Do not force the door panel closed.
BESSLER STAIRWAY CO. • 3807 LAMAR AVE. • MEMPHIS,TN 38118
CAUTION: Special instructions for the Header
When installing the door and frame assembly on a model 26 or 26T, it is recommended that
shimming behind the header will give added support to the door closer bracket and piano
hinge.
The added support of shimming behind the header will help prevent the header from splitting
due to improper adjustment of the closer or forced operation by the user.
MAINTENANCE: It is necessary to add lubrication to the grooves in the side to the ladder
from time to time.The grooves can be lubricated with a light grease, paraffin, bees wax or
petroleum jelly.
TROUBLE SHOOTING MODEL 26: If the ladder section is hard to move up and down along
its length, check the following:
Make sure the slide bars are operating in the grooves over the entire length of travel.
Make sure the ladder is lubricated (See Maintenance).
If the ladder seems to be binding, check the grooves for gouge marks, then check width
of ladder which should measure about 17-1/16” across the back.
Insure the tracks are sealed in the bottom of the gains and all of the ladder rods and
fasteners are tight.
The spring inside the spring drum is broken when the drum rotates without placing
tension on the cable. Never open up the spring drum as the spring may exit the drum
in a sudden and abrupt manner risking personal injury. Return drum to factory for repairs.
Insure the cables are riding straight and true on the drums. Also insure the drums are
not leaning to one side or wobbling.This may indicate that the bushings have come out of
the drums. (New bushings may be obtained from the factory).
5
5A
76
8
12 25
11
9
24
20
2122 23
22
21
28
26
23 24
15 10
29
30
16
10A
17
27
PIN
HOOK
D=165/8
WIDTH
D=165/8
FIG. 4.
FIG. 5.