Screwfix Essentials LL9A Loft Ladder Owner's Manual

Twist Catch Assembly
- A1 Catch Operator – x1
- A2 Travel Stop Ring – x1
- A3 Catch Lever – x1
- A4 Nut (M12) – x1
- A5 Location Bracket – x1
- A6 Screw (20mm) – x2
- A7 Screw (12mm) – x1
Hinge Guide Assembly
- B1 Hinge Guide (Left) – x1
- B2 Hinge Guide (Right) – x1
- B3 Screw (35mm) – x6

Product Usage Instructions

Installation Requirements
Before installation, ensure that you have all the necessary components listed in the product contents section.

Pre-Installation Steps

Adapting the trapdoor (if required)

Hanging the Trapdoor:
1. If a new trapdoor is required, ensure its thickness does not exceed 20mm.
2. Use the existing cover as a template to cut out the new piece with a slightly loose fit.
3. Remove the existing trapdoor and hinges, ensuring the loft trap frame is flat.
Fitting the Twist Catch: Locate the mid-point of the trapdoor edge opposite the hinged side and mark it with a pencil.

Safety Instructions

IMPORTANT!
Before commencing the installation or operation of this product, read these instructions carefully and completely, noting in particular the instructions regarding safety (below).

This ladder should never be used as a free-standing leaning ladder.
Do not attempt to climb your loft ladder until installation is complete.
Use a second ladder to gain access to the loft while carrying out the work. Ensure that this is stable.
During installation and operation, follow all instructions step by step to ensure your safety and optimum performance of the loft ladder.
When installation is complete, before using the ladder make sure that it is pulled fully down to the appropriate top stops, that both feet are resting firmly on the floor, and that the locking catches are properly engaged. Observe the instructions for the optimum safe working angle.
Observe normal safety precautions when working in the loft space. Place weight only on the main ceiling joists. Do not drill above head height. Avoid contact with electrical wiring. Ensure someone else is on the premises and knows where you are in case of an accident.
Do not modify any component supplied with this product or substitute any loft ladder component with anything other than genuine replacement parts.
Ensure that the ladder is not obstructed by items stowed in the loft.

EN14975
This product complies with the European Standard EN14975:2006+A1:2010.

Installation Requirements

Stowed Requirements

		mm	inches
B	Minimum Hatch Opening (Width)	381	15
C	Maximum Height	2692	106
C	Minimum Height	2133	84
D	Minimum Stowing Height Required In Loft	710	28
E	Minimum Length Required Behind Hatch	1270	50

Deployed Requirements:

F (Floor Thickness)		A (Minimum Hatch Opening Length)
mm	inches	mm	inches
76	3	489	19.25
102	4	501	19.75
127	5	514	20.25
153	6	527	20.75
178	7	539	21.25
203	8	546	21.5

Product Contents

Twist Catch Assembly

A1 Catch Operator . . . . . . x1

A2 Travel Stop Ring . . . . . x1
A3 Catch Lever . . . . . . . . . x1
A4 Nut (M12) . . . . . . . . . . x1

A5 Location Bracket . . . . . x1
A6 Screw (20mm) . . . . . . . x2
A7 Screw (12mm) . . . . . . . x1

Hinge Guide Assembly

B1 Hinge Guide (Left) . . . x1

B2 Hinge Guide (Right) . . x1
B3 Screw (35mm) . . . . . . x6

Top Stops

C1 Screw with Locking Patch (M4x10mm) . . . . x2
C2 Top Stops . . . . . . . . . . x2

Ladder Assembly

D1 2-Section Loft Ladder . . . . . x1

D2 Stowing Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . x1
D3 Plastic Stowing Hook/Key . . x1
D4 End Plug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x1

D5 Trapdoor Hinges . . . . . . . . . x2
D6 Screws(20mm) . . . . . . . . . . . x8
D7 Self-tapping screw . . . . . . . . x1

Stowing ‘V’ Rod

E1 Stowing ‘V’ Rod . . . . . . x1

E2 Star Washer . . . . . . . . . x2
E3 Fixing Bracket . . . . . . . x1
E4 Screw (20mm) . . . . . . . x4

Pre-Installation

Adapting the trapdoor (if required)
The loft ladder is suitable for a loft opening let flush into the ceiling, having a hinged trapdoor opening downwards, with a suitable fastener to keep the hatch firmly shut. If the trapdoor does not hinge downwards or is not hinged at all, you will need to adapt or replace it so that it does. The parts needed are enclosed.

Hanging the Trapdoor

If a new trapdoor is required its thickness must not exceed 20mm (3/4”). Consider the weight of the trapdoor and the security of the hinge screws. Chipboard and MDF may not be suitable.

Use the existing cover as a template to cut out the new piece, ensuring a slightly loose fit all around (3mm (1/8”) maximum). Your DIY store may be able to do this for you.
Remove the existing trapdoor and hinges. Prise off any support battens so that the four faces of the loft trap frame are flat.
Screw hinges (D5) to one edge of the trapdoor using 20mm (3/4”) wood screws (D6).

For extra performance fill the screw holes with wood glue.
Offer up the hinges to the face of the frame on the same end as you intend to set the ladder, and fix.
Ensure that there is at least 26mm (1”) clearance between the top face of the trapdoor and the top edge of the framework.

Fitting the Twist Catch

Find the mid-point of the trapdoor edge opposite to the hinged side. This will give you your center line (see diagram). Mark with a pencil.
With the trapdoor fully closed measure exactly 26mm (1”) in from the edge of the frame and mark with a pencil.

Drill a 13mm (½”) hole in the center and sand off any rough edges.
Pass the catch operator (A1) through the trapdoor hole from the underside such that the position pointer points towards the trapdoor edge.
Place the travel stop ring (A2) over the operator such that the securing tag is at 45 degrees to the trapdoor center line.

Place the catch lever (A3) over the operator and locate iit nto the operator groove such that the lever points towards the trapdoor near ethe dge and fully llocatedwithin the travel stop ring (A2).
Secure the travel stop ring (A2) using a screw (A7).
Secure the catch assembly with M12 nut (A4) ensuring the nut is tightened sufficiently to allow the catch to rotate freely without any looseness.

Fixing the Location Bracket
When turned to the correct position, the catch lever will engage in the location bracket to hold the trapdoor shut. Fix as follows:

Measure the thickness of the trapdoor, and add 9mm (3/8”) to this.
On the closing edge of the hatch opening, draw a line this distance up from the bottom edge parallel to the opening.

Mark a vertical line on the inside of the trapdoor frame corresponding with the center line of the trapdoor catch.
Position the catch location bracket (A5) as shown in the diagram, along the horizontal line.
Match up the indent mark on the bracket with the vertical center line.

Make guide holes with the bradawl and fix, using two 20mm wood screws supplied (A6).

Installation

Assembling the Hinge Guides

Slide the hinge guides (B1 & B2) into the rear frame stiles. The brackets should be positioned outwards, with the double-holed half uppermost (see diagram).

Slide the hinge guides past both sets of top stop mounting holes, so that the hinge guides are below the top stops when they are fitted in section 2.

Assembling Top Stops
N.B. The long sides of the ladder are known as the ‘stiles’.Each complete section of the ladder is known as a ‘frame’. For correct identification, the front frame of the ladder can be identified by its rounded feet.

Top Stops
Depending on the floor-to-loft floor height (see Deployed Requirements on page 2), you will either need to fit the top stops (C2) at the upper top stop mounting holes or lower top stop mounting holes (see the table to the right and diagram at step 1.1).

Slide the top stops into the stiles, one on either side. Align the top stops with the upper or lower mounting holes, depending upon which position is required in the table to the right.
Ensure the hinge guides (B1 & B2) are already in place and below the additional top stops when fitted.

Fit the top stops using the two M4 x 10mm long screws with a locking patch (C1)

Operating Heights
Millimetres	Feet & Inches	Top Stop Position	Locking Catch Hole Position On Base Section
2133 to 2260	7′ to 7’5″	Use lower top stop holes	2
2260 to 2409	7’5″ to 7’10¾”	Use upper top stop holes	2
2409 to 2540	7’10¾” to 8’4″	Use lower top stop holes	1
2540 to 2692	8’4″ to 8’10”	Use upper top stop holes	1

Installing the Ladder
N.B. ladder should be installed on the same side of the trapdoor hinges.

With the ladder preferably centered in the opening, and the trapdoor handing down, locate the hinge guide bracket arms (B1 & B2) on the top edge of the loft hatch frame (see diagram).

DO NOT stand on the ladder to do this. Either using a second ladder or from inside the loft space, secure the hinges using six 35mm screws supplied.

Make guide holes with the bradawl then pre-drill pilot holes (2mm diameter) for all screws.

Fix using 35mm screws (B3).
N.B. the bracket arms with two screw holes should be on top.
If flooring material covers the top edge of the loft hatch frame ensure that it is completely stable and if necessary use longer screws to penetrate the frame itself.

The ladder should now be free to swing from the hinges and slide freely up and down the guides.

Fitting Stowing ‘V’ Rod

See instructions on page 8 to fully deploy Ladder.

Remove the studs from the top tips of the rear frame of the ladder.
Engage ends of the ‘V’ rod (E1) through the vacated holes in the tips/stiles.
Lower the ‘V’ rod to the loft floor, in line with the center of the ladder.

Locate fthe ixing bracket (E3) over the stowing ‘V’ rod and screw it to the floor with 4 screws (E4).
Push the star washers (E2) onto the ends of the stowing ‘V’ rod to secure.

THE INSTALLATION OF YOUR LOFT LADDER IS NOW COMPLETE.

Operating

Locate the plastic stowing hook/key (D3) into one end of the stowing pole (D2) and push ﬁrmly, to ensure the plastic stowing hook/key (D3) is fully located within the pole. Secure hook/key (D3) with screw (D7). Push the plastic end plug (D4) into the opposite end of the stowing pole (D2).
To open the trapdoor locate the key (D3) into the slot in the catch operator (A1) turn the catch anti-clockwise until it reaches the travel stop and then lower tthe rapdoor.
Locate the stowing hook/key (D3) over and at the center of the REAR ladder section bottom rung and steadily pull the ladder outward and downward until both top stops reach and make contact with the hinge guides.

Retract the right-hand side catch ‘A’ (blue) and rotate the catch lever upwards into the locked open position (see diagram).
Refer to the table on page 6, which shows the correct catch positions. To extend the ladder, retract the left-hand catch ‘B’ (black) while supporting the front frame of the ladder. Lower the frame slowly until catch ‘B’ (black) is engaged in your required position. Extend the ladder until the feet rest ﬁrmly on the ﬂoor.
When the ladder has been deployed by the table on page 6, rotate the right-hand side catch lever downward to unlock and release catch ‘A’ (blue) and ensure the catch is fully engaged. DO NOT use the ladder with any catches (‘A’ or ‘B’) disengaged. Read the safety labels on the product.

Ensure the ladder is pulled down so that the top stops resting ﬁrmly on the hinge guides. This supports the top section and prevents it from sliding down when climbed.
Check the ladder angle against the safety label or refer back to Deployed Requirements on page 2.

DO NOT attempt to climb your loft ladder until you have: Checked that it is pulled down to the stops.

Fully read all safety labels and ensured that it is set at the correct angle.
Ensure that the locking catches are fully engaged.

Stowing

Retract the right-hand side catch ‘A’ (blue) and rotate the catch lever upwards into the locked open position.

To stow the ladder, retract catch ‘B’ (black), and slide the front frame fully upwards until the catch engages again.
Repeat the tep for ca atch ‘B’ (black) and the middle ladder frame.
Reverse step and ensure the right-hand side catch ‘A’ (blue) is fully engaged.

Engage the plastic stowing hook/key (D3) over and at the center of the REAR ladder section bottom rung and whilst maintaining the stowing pole near push the ladder vertically upwards.
Continue to slowly push the ladder up and fully into the loft.
Finally, use the stowing pole to raise the trapdoor and turn the catch operator clockwise to close.

Care & Maintenance

Repair & Maintenance

Repairs and maintenance shall be carried out by a competent person and be to these instructions. NOTE: A competent person is someone who has the skills to carry out repairs or maintenance, e.g. trained by the manufacturer.
For repair and replacement of parts, e.g. feet, springs, and hooks, contact your supplier or distributor.

Ladders shall always be operated by the producer’s instructions.
Loft ladder stiles and treads should not be painted or varnished.
Periodically lubricate all moving parts with light oil.

Periodically clean all parts to prevent the build-up of dirt, grease, and other contaminants.

Traceability
For traceability purposes it can be identified by the barcode (EAN) number and also the manufacturing date or serial number, these can be found on the ladder stile.

UK Manufacturer:

Kingfisher International Products Limited,
3 Sheldon Square, London, W2 6PX,
United Kingdom

EU Manufacturer:

Kingfisher International Products B.V.
Rapenburgerstraat 175E
1011 VM Amsterdam

The Netherlands

www.kingfisher.com/products
www.diy.com
www.screwfix.com
www.screwfix.ie
To view instruction manuals online,
visit www.kingfisher.com/products
LF36092 Rev. D

FAQS

Q: What should I do if my trapdoor does not hinge downwards?
A: If your trapdoor does not hinge downwards, you will need to adapt or replace it so that it does. Please refer to the pre-installation steps for guidance on adapting the trapdoor.

Documents / Resources

Screwfix Essentials LL9A Loft Ladder [pdf] Owner's Manual
2.69m, LL9A, Essentials LL9A Loft Ladder, Essentials LL9A, Loft Ladder, Ladder

References

User Manual

Screwfix Essentials LL9A Loft Ladder

Specifications