Installing the Transfer Family, Part 1: Delivery, Wheelchair Approach Space, Water Test and Leveling (Transfer26, 30, 32, 60, XXL)

This page is the first half of the installation sequence for the Ella Transfer family, the wheelchair-accessible tubs with an L-shape door that swings outward: the Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60 and TransferXXL. It follows the Transfer family owner's manual (28 pages, dated 6/15/23), with door and clearance figures from the Transfer26 and Transfer30 spec sheet drawings, and covers delivery, the approach space a wheelchair transfer needs, the water test, and leveling. Part 2 continues with drains, faucet, electrical, the grab bar, the extension kit table, the door check and wall finishing.

One Manual, Two Download Names

The Ella website links this manual under two names, wheelchair-transfer.pdf and L-shaped-outward-swing-door.pdf. They are the same file, byte for byte, so whichever product page you downloaded it from, you have the full Transfer family manual. If your paperwork or an older schematic prints "XXXL," that is a misprint; the model is written TransferXXL and there is no separate XXXL tub. The family overview is in the Transfer tub family guide.

Which Tubs This Manual Covers

Use the spec sheet actual size for fit; the Transfer30 sheet, for example, lists 30" x 52" x 40" actual and a 33" x 55" x 50" shipping size, with leveling legs noted as adjustable on the drawing.

The L-Shape Door Opens 172 Degrees: Plan the Approach Space

The Transfer door is plastic composite and tempered glass, hinged to swing outward with a 2-latch gear and shaft mechanism. The spec sheet drawings for the Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32 and Transfer60 all carry a 172 degree door opening callout, and the Transfer26 and Transfer32 drawings add a "Door Swing Clearance" callout of 20". That open door sits almost flat against the tub so a wheelchair can pull alongside the seat, which is the whole point of the L-shape. Before the tub is set, confirm the room allows the chair to approach the seat side, turn and back out, and that the door arc misses the toilet and vanity. The entry sequence itself is shown in Transfer tub entry methods and door walkthrough, and door handling in Transfer L-shape door operation.

Delivery Inspection and Carrying by the Frame

Inspect the crate and carton for damage before the driver leaves. If there is any, photograph it, record the details on the shipper's delivery document and ask the driver to sign; the manual says damage must be recorded on the delivery paperwork for a claim to be processed. Report it within 48 hours as described in freight damage claims. Keep the crate, pallet and packaging until installation is complete, since returns are accepted only in the original packaging.

Remove all four access panels, the front apron and the end panel before the tub is moved, so the crew can lift by the frame. Never lift by the plumbing or the panels, keep the front of the tub off the floor and stairs during the carry, and protect the bottom of the shell where the air jets are mounted. Afterward, check for plumbing that may have loosened in transit.

Safety Rules, Including the Caregiver and Safety Belt Requirement

• A licensed plumber and licensed electrician must perform the installation following local codes. Indoor use only, manufacturer parts only.
• The electrician tests every connection on the dedicated line, including the GFCI. No electric appliances within 3 feet of the tub.
• Do not turn on the hydro jets until water covers all the jets. Running pumps dry can permanently damage them.
• Bathers must sit fully in the seat with their back against the backrest, not slouched or lying in the foot well. The manual states that bathers without all functioning limbs must be attended by a caregiver at all times and use an installed safety belt at all times.
• Do not wall-mount the hand held shower without an extension hose with barrel protection.

The Pre-Installation Water Test

1. Place the tub on a completely flat surface in an area where it can drain after testing.
2. Wipe the door seal with a clean rag and warm water.
3. Seal the drains with tape and fill to at least 3 inches above the highest jet, or to the bottom of the grab bar on a soaking tub with no jets.
4. Let the water stand for 30 minutes and inspect all plumbing and seals for leaks.
5. Run all electrical components (air blower, water pump, heater if fitted) for another 30 minutes on appropriately rated three-prong extension cords plugged into separate outlets, then inspect again, including the unions around the pump and heater.
6. If a union still leaks after tightening, it is over-tightened or the O-ring is displaced; disassemble it and reseat the O-ring. Check the heater the same way and confirm its threads match the pipe threads.

The pre-installation water test article walks through each step with more detail.

Leveling and Door Alignment

Prepare the subfloor for the drain, confirm it is level, and confirm it can support the tub, the bather and the water. Set the tub, check level in every direction, and adjust the legs until every leg touches the floor with equal weight distribution. The manual is explicit that an unlevel tub can warp the frame and shell, misalign the door, cause leaks and void the warranty. The tub was leveled at the factory; the installer's job is to prove it again on your floor. Close the door and confirm it seats evenly against the frame; extending or shortening a leg closes any gap. Release a seal that stuck in shipping by squeezing it with your fingertips and pulling it away from the frame, and keep the door open when the tub is not in use. The leveling guide reproduces the manual's warping drawings.

Next: Part 2

With the tub level and tested, Part 2 covers the drains, faucets, electrical lines by package, the grab bar washers, the extension kit table, the 2-latch door check, the first fill and the tile flange.

Download the official document: Transfer Family (L-Shape Outward-Swing Door) Owner's Manual

Filmed on a Transfer60, the video removes the case and packing and inspects the tub, takes off the end and side panels before moving it in, fills it outside and runs all pumps to check for leaks, then drains, carries in, levels, connects and tests again. Watch: Walk-In Tub Installation and Delivery Ella's Bubbles Transfer 60 with chapters and a full transcript.

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• What is the Ella Transfer32 32x52 wheelchair transfer walk-in tub?

Common Questions