Memphis Folding Stairs Inc.
Memphis, Tennessee 38182-0305
Instructions for Proper Installation of Disappearing Stairway
WARNING
Do Not Attempt to Open Stairway before it
is properly installed in the rough opening. Tension on the springs could
cause the unit to snap back, possibly resulting in bodily injury.
NOTICE:
BEFORE INSTALLATION, Verify that this product and
its installation meet all applicable building codes. Check stair carefully for shipping
damage. Please mark the model name and size of the stair you
purchased on the Products Parts List for future reference. Keep this
instruction brochure and parts list with the installed stair. Read the
complete instruction sheet before beginning to install the
stairway.
You should have experience with squaring, leveling, sawing, and aligning structural supports before attempting to install this unit. If you do not have the skills needed to install a window frame or a door unit, please hire a professional to install this stairway. Improper installation could result in stairway collapse and possible bodily injury. Please see the warning label on inside of stair.
WARNINGS
1. This stair has been designed for RESIDENTIAL USE ONLY. Commercial uses of our stairways should be prohibited as our products are not designed to withstand those additional and significant stresses. Commercial use could cause stairway collapse, possibly resulting in severe bodily injury. Stairways are also designed to be used only where the ceiling to floor height does not exceed the specific length given for any particular model. Use of an improper length, either too long or too short, could also result in stairway collapse and possible bodily injury. Under no circumstance is any stairway manufactured by Memphis Folding Stairs, Inc. to be used where the ceiling to floor measurement exceeds 10'3". The Everest Model is the only exception to this rule as it is not manufactured by Memphis Folding Stairs, Inc.
2. This stair is completely assembled and ready for installation. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE TO INSTALL. Do not attempt to open the stairway in any way before it is properly installed in the rough opening. Beginning to do so will place tension on the springs which could cause the unit to perform a sudden snapping movement that might injure your hands or feet or any bodily member in its vicinity.
3. It is possible that some persons may experience difficulty in raising and/or lowering the attic stairway because of its weight and due to the distance between their own personal height and the room's ceiling height. Therefore, it is recommended that all persons always obtain assistance from another person in stairway raising or lowering activities so any such difficulty is safely remedied.
4. Always face the stair when going up or down and always hold on to the handrail with your left hand. (Additional handrails are available from the factory.)
5. Before installation of this stair, check that all bolts and nuts on section hinges, spring arm assemblies, and truss rods are in place and are tight. Periodic maintenance to tighten all nuts and bolts is necessary to maintain the stair in its designed rigid manner. During the lifetime of this stair, make certain that the spring arms remain in their straight line vertical alignment. Any deviation from this position could possibly cause excessive wear on the pivot plate and create a serious hazard. This misalignment could further cause the spring to become dislodged from its designed position and also create a serious hazard. Should the spring arms become misaligned or worn, they should be replaced immediately.
6. The springs of the stair are under significant tension and should not be removed. If a most unusual circumstance requires the removal of a spring, call our service department for complete instructions. (901-458-1161).
CAUTION: READ COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE INSTALLATION.
STEP #1
Locating the stairway: Allow sufficient space for a safe landing area at the bottom of the stairway. Be sure that there is enough clearance for the swing of the stair as it is being unfolded to its full length (see Figure 1 and explanation to determine proper clearance for landing space and projection).
STEP #2
Making the rough opening: Cut the rough opening through the plaster or ceiling material the same size as shown on the carton, then frame. Generally the rough opening size of the stair as listed on the carton will be 1/2" wider and 5/8" longer than the actual net size of the stairway. This will allow for for shimming and squaring the stair in the opening. In most cases, stairways are installed parallel to ceiling joists (See Figure 2). However, in some cases, the stair must be installed perpendicular to the ceiling joists (See Figure 3). CAUTION: If your home uses roof trusses, do not cut ceiling joists without engineering consultation and approval. If it is necessary to cut ceiling joists or trusses, watch out for electrical wiring and be sure to tie these cut members to other joists or trusses with 2"x6" or 2"x8" headers forming a four-sided frame or stairwell to install the stairway. Keep corners square to simplify installation (darkened areas in Figure 2 and 3 illustrate the frame you will have to build before installing your stair). Figure 2 and 3 show how to frame the rough opening for the stair. Installation parallel to existing joists requires only single joists and headers. Installation perpendicular to the joists requires double headers and joists. Make new ceiling joists and header sections from the same size lumber as the existing joists. When making double headers, fasten the members together with 10d common nails. The double joist sections shown in Figure 3 must be long enough to be supported by a load bearing wall at both ends.
STEP #3
Install temporary supports for stairway: It is necessary to hold the stairway in the prepared rough opening by use of temporary boards which extend across the width of the rough opening and form a ledge of 1/2" at the main hinge end and a 7/8" ledge at the pull cord end of the stair. These boards should be nailed securely enough to hold the weight of the stair in the rough opening (See Figure 4). These temporary boards are to be furnished by the installer. A complete installation kit including all hardware necessary to install a stair is available from the manufacturer.
CAUTION: DO NOT PLACE ANY WEIGHT ON THE STAIR AT THIS TIME OR AT ANY TIME UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL PROCEDURES THROUGH STEP 5. USE A STEPLADDER OR AN EXTENSION LADDER WHENEVER IT IS NECESSARY TO PERFORM ANY ACTIVITY ABOVE YOUR OWN HEIGHT. ANY FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE REQUIREMENTS COULD CAUSE THE STAIRWAY TO PARTIALLY, OR COMPLETELY, BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS CEILING LOCATION OR OTHERWISE FAIL DURING INSTALLATION OR THEREAFTER, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY.
Placing stairway in rough opening: Raise the complete stairway into the attic by turning the stair sideways through the rough opening and lowering it carefully, placing the main header end (Hinge End) on the 1/2" ledge and the pull cord end on the 7/8" ledge. This can be done from the attic while a helper on the floor is needed to lower the stair sections out of the way for nailing the stair frame to the rough opening frame. After the stairway has been placed upon these temporary support ledges the complete stairway should not be raised or lowered from the resting position and it should not be dislodged from that resting position in any manner. Any failure to follow this important instruction could cause the stairway to fall through the ceiling opening, which circumstance might well cause significant bodily injury. As an additional safeguard against dropping the stair through the rough opening, it is suggested that several 8d common nails (See Figure 5) be driven through the stair frame into the rough frame to help hold the stair in place. Do not drive these nails home as they can be removed after permanent nailing is completed. When used properly, the size screws and nails suggested are best. Be sure stair is square and level in the rough opening. Blocks of wood can be used for shims to straighten the stair frame in the event it has become bowed in inventory. This is normal since these wood parts are subjected to strong spring tension, sometimes several months before installation. Bowing may be straightened by use of nails and shims.
Carefully lower the stairway and unfold the stairway sections. DO NOT STAND ON THE STAIR AT THIS TIME. USE A STEPLADDER OR AN EXTENSION LADDER. (REFER TO CAUTION IN STEP 3.) Nail the sides (wellsides) of the stairway to the rough opening joists using 16d nails or 1/4 X 3" lag screws only. Use of other fasteners such as finish nails, staples, sheet rock, or deck type screws can cause sudden, catastrophic failure, and should never be used. Nailing must be completed by placing the nails in the pre-punched holes in the pivot plate on the spring arms and in the pre-punched holes in the spring brackets at the hinge header. It is important that these nails be placed as instructed (Refer to Figure 6 for placement of nails or screws). Finish by placing at least sixteen 16d nails, or 1/4 X 3" lag screws (See Figure 7), at positions shown on diagram, these nails or screws must go through the two wellsides, wellend, and hinge header into the rough opening joists. Remove the temporary slats and the 8d common nails used for temporary support. Install the finish molding which is to be furnished by the installer. A complete installation kit including all hardware necessary to install a stair is available from the manufacturer.
STEP #6 (Note Special Instructions for Aluminum Stair below)
Adjustment of stairway sections to ceiling height: Pull stairway down. Open the stair sections, folding the bottom section under the middle section so that the top and middle sections form a straight line (See Figure 8). Applying pressure so that the spring arms are fully extended, and maintaining this pressure, use a straight edge placed on top of middle section (See Figure 9). Slide straight edge down until it contacts the floor. Measure from point "A" to floor. Record measurement on top side of bottom section "C". Using same procedure, measure bottom side "B" to floor. Record measurement on bottom side "D". Cut from "C" to "D" (See Figure 9). It is possible for your landing area to be uneven due to a floor drain, unlevel floor, etc. Be sure to measure both sides of the bottom section using the above procedures. Bottom section should fit flush to the floor on both sides after cutting (See insert in Figure 8). This is the proper length to correspond to your ceiling height. Joints will be tight (See Figure 10) at each section with weight on the stair.
(Note:
STEP
#6 Special Instructions for Aluminum
Stair)
When installation of the aluminum stairway is complete,
but before cutting off the bottom of the stair, read and follow
these additional instructions for the PREMIER ALUMINUM stair
only.
1.) After measuring each
side of the stair and determining the front measurement, deduct 3
inches from this figure. Mark this measurement on the stair with
a square and cut to this length. The rubber covered feet provided
allow for the necessary slant for the bottom of the stair to fit properly to the floor.
2.) Drill a 9/32" hole (using the hole in the adjustment
foot as a guide) at the bottom of each side of the stair. Install
the adjustable feet using the nut and bolt provided.
3.) Before using the stair, make any adjustments necessary to
ensure there are no gaps between the sections and that the feet
are flush to the floor.
CAUTION A:
When you have finished installing your stair properly, stand on
the second step of the bottom section to check that the stair is
slanted from the ceiling to the floor and that all sections of
the stair are in a completely straight line as shown (See Figure 11). This
should occur whenever you are using your stair.
CAUTION B:
The feet of the stairway that will
rest upon the floor MUST ALWAYS be trimmed so that each part of
the foot (or bottom section of the stair) will ALWAYS fit flush
to the floor and rest firmly and snugly on the floor (See Figure 12). DO
NOT ALLOW the feet of the stairway
to rest on any structure such as boxes, blocks, platforms, other
stairway landings, etc., as such structures are not considered to
be a safe, stable, or permanent base for the feet of the stair. Stairs are designed for specific ceiling to floor
measurements and the correct length of stair MUST be used to fit these measurements where the stair is to
be installed.
CAUTION C:
If stairway is cut off too short, corrections cannot be made. You
must replace the bottom section immediately before the stairway is to be
used. If
stairway is installed before final floor covering is applied
(vinyl flooring, carpet, etc.), then
length adjustment must be made. Re-measure and re-cut for
proper length as shown in Step 6, "Adjustment of stairway
sections to ceiling height."
WARNING:
Any failure to completely follow Cautions A, B, and C above could
likely produce undue stress on the components of the stairway and
cause a break in the stairway, possibly causing bodily injury.
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