Dolle LOFT LADDER User manual

INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTION
LOFT LADDER

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOFT LADDER
NB!
PLEASE READ THESE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTALLING THE LOFT LADDER.
Do not use the ladder as an access passage during building
or renovation work. Do not use the ladder if the ceiling height
exceeds the maximum ceiling height stated in the installation
instructions or on the product label.
For safety's sake, always face the ladder when climbing up
and down and grip at least one string of the ladder (or grip
the handrail). The ladder must be used only by one person
at a time.
Do not use the ladder if it is faulty or damaged. The springs
are very taut. Take care when adjusting springs. Inly adjust
the spring mechanism when the ladder is folded (i.e. the
springs are under least tension). Great care should be taken
when removing springs. If the ladder is delivered unassem-
bled, read the enclosed assembly instructions carefully be-
fore assembling and installing the ladder.
The ladder is tested to 150 kg (maximum load). A load in
excess of 150 kg may cause damage to the ladder and con-
stitutes a risk of personal injury.
NB! Lubricate all moving metal parts with oil immediately
after assembly. Parts must subsequently be lubricated at
least once a year.

1. Fitters, tools and materials:
We recommend that 2 tters install the attic ladder together.
One tter must be strong enough to lift the attic ladder to the
ceiling (as the attic ladder weighs up to 50 kg, depending on
model).
clickFIX® models can be fitted by one fitter working alone.
You will require the following materials and tools:
• Electric screwdriver
• Pencil
• Hand saw
• Folding rule or similar
• Square
• 100 mm screws
• Protective gloves
• Oil
• Timber for transverse joists – same dimensions as ceiling
joists (if needed)
• Temporary support beams (approx. 20 cm longer than
width of attic opening
• Wooden blocks and wedges
• A large step ladder
• A solid work platform
• Planks for work platform (if necessary)
The work platform should be high enough to allow you to
climb up into the attic without exceeding the maximum per-
mitted work platform height. The work platform must bear a
load corresponding to the weight of the tter plus the weight
of the attic ladder.

2. Installation instructions:
To ensure that the product is assembled and tted correctly,
these instructions should be followed carefully. If you have
any difculties, contact your dealer for assistance.
WARNING: DO NOT DISMANTLE the attic ladder once it
has been assembled.
NB! For models in which the ladder is fixed to the trapdoor
(not clickFIX®model). If, during installation, you wish to
detach the ladder to reduce the weight of the attic ladder,
loosen the screws between the metal bracket and the ladder
itself. Do not loosen the screws on the trapdoor as these can
easily be overtightened when reassembled. An overtightened
screw may lose its grip on the timber and, in serious cases,
fall out.
Positioning the loft ladder:
Wear gloves when removing insulation material. Check that
the area selected for positioning the ladder is unencumbe-
red by electrical wiring, water pipes, heating/cooling pipes,
etc. If necessary, get a qualied craftsman to remove such
encumbrances. Make sure that there is sufcient clearance
(distance A) for the ladder to rest on the oor. Make sure that
there is sufcient space for the ladder to fold out to its full
length (B) (see gure 1). For two-section models, make sure
that there is sufcient swing space.
For specic measurements and adjustment options, see the
assembly instructions supplied with the product.

3. To make opening in ceiling:
We recommend that you wear goggles and mask for pro-
tection from falling dust and other particles from the attic.
Remove all items of furniture from the work area. Cover the
oor.
Frame and cut the opening through plaster/other ceiling
material. The size of the ceiling opening is stated on the
packaging. The opening must be at least 10 mm longer and
10 mm wider than the ladder casing. This allows space for
spacer blocks and ensures that the attic ladder is tted per-
pendicularly. If the attic ladder cannot be tted in the normal
way, i.e. parallel with the ceiling joists, contact a qualied
craftsman for advice. Figures 2, 3 and 4 show how to frame
the ceiling opening. If you t the attic ladder parallel to the
existing ceiling joints, only single ceiling joists and single
transverse joists
Figure 1

are required. If you t the attic ladder at right angles to the
joists, you will need to make double transverse joists of the
same size as the existing ceiling joists.
WARNING: If the ceiling joists are made in a material other
than timber, e.g. steel, contact a qualied craftsman. Ne-
ver saw through a load-bearing joist without advice from a
qualied craftsman. Take great care when sawing ceiling
joists. For safety's sake, if there is no attic ooring, lay planks
across the ceiling joists to allow safe passage in the attic
during installation.
4. Fitting temporary supports:
To keep the attic ladder in place in the ceiling opening during
installation, you are advised to t temporary supports. If the
trapdoor will be clad, the attic ladder must be tted as many
mm higher in the opening as the thickness of the cladding.
Figure 2 Figure 3
Figure 4

Cladding material must not weigh more than 6 kg per m2.
Cladding material must not be more than 12 mm thick. We
recommend that the cladding is afxed using construction
adhesive.
WARNING: It is important that cladding is tted rmly and
correctly. When afxing cladding, the ladder must NOT be
loaded.
Figure 5
5. Attaching the loft ladder:
One fitter goes up into the attic room, taking all the tools he
needs. The other fitter remains below. clickFIX® models can
be installed by one person (using a work platform).
Lift the ladder up into the attic. Before lowering the loft lad-
der into the opening from above, attach 2 supporting planks
under the ceiling opening. The attic ladder rests on these
supports (see gure 5). Fold the ladder so that the frame can
be attached to the ceiling opening. Make sure that the attic
ladder is level and perpendicular. Attach the attic ladder with

100 mm screws (3 on each long side and 2 at each end).
Don't forget to attach blocks on the back of the xing points
(see gure 6).
When the loft ladder is rmly attached, remove supports.
WARNING: Do not use the attic ladder before it is rmly
attached to the opening and adjusted to the correct ceiling
height.
Vapour barrier:
When the loft ladder is firmly attached to the deck, the va-
pour barrier must be attached in the correct way. The space
between the loft ladder and the joist construction must be
well-insulated to avoid thermal bridges.
6. Adjusting to correct ceiling height:
Pull down and unfold the ladder. Fold the lower section of the
ladder under the middle section, so that the top and middle
sections are aligned (see gure 7).
Make sure that the treads are horizontal. To shorten the
ladder precisely, follow the instructions for the specic model.
Figure 6
90°
90°
i
90°
90°
i

Note whether the ladder is supplied with plastic feet. For
most models, the ladder can be ne-tuned after shortening.
DO NOT SHORTEN THE LADDER TOO MUCH. If the lad-
der is too short, it may unexpectedly fold up during use, thus
risking serious personal injury.
To check that the ladder is the correct length, unfold it to its
full length. All sections of the ladder must be aligned perfectly
with no gaps, and both strings must rest at on the oor (see
gure 8).
WARNING: Do NOT use the ladder if all sections of the
ladder are not aligned. If the ladder is too long, shorten the
strings once more. If the ladder is too short, order a new
lower section from your dealer. Do NOT allow the ladder to
rest on a box, blocks, platform or similar. Such constructions
are unsafe and unstable, and do not provide appropriate
permanent support for the ladder.
A
AB
B
Figure 7 Figure 8

7. How to use the ladder:
The following drawings show how to use the attic ladder
safely (see gure 9).
8. Further advice:
Depending on the model, the following may be relevant:
WARNING: The spring mechanism can be re-adjusted inside
its frame using a chain link or by moving the springs up or
down (depends on the model in question). Always adjust the
spring mechanism when the trapdoor is closed. It may be
necessary to adjust the spring mechanism if the trapdoor is
to be clad. Take great care when making adjustments as the
springs are very taut. Accidental release of the springs may
cause personal injury.
Chipboard trapdoors are suitable for painting. To avoid dis-
tortion, paint the trapdoor on both sides.
Figure 9A Figure 9B Figure 9C

9. Accessories:
To improve safety, we recommend that you t the following
accessories:
• Hand rail (see gure 10)
• Balustrade (see gure 11)
To order the above accessories, contact your dealer.
WARNING:
Never modify the product. The manufacturer accepts no
liability whatsoever for personal injury or damage caused to
the building or parts thereof by a product, whose construction
has been modied.
Figure 10 Figure 11