Bruno Elite Curved CRE-2110 and CRE-2110E Stairlift: Planning Guide

What is the Bruno Elite curved, and where does it fit?

The Elite curved is Bruno's custom-built curved-rail stairlift, rated 400 lb, sold as the indoor CRE-2110 and the outdoor CRE-2110E.

The Elite curved is Bruno's curved-rail stairlift: a motorized chair that travels on a rail fastened to the stair treads. The rider sits on a swivel seat with a positioning belt, back to the stairway wall, and holds the armrest control for the whole trip (constant pressure). Two remotes call or send the empty chair.

Bruno builds each rail for one staircase: the dealer measures the stair, and Bruno builds the rail to that measurement. Bruno's stairlift FAQ says it "would be extremely rare for a curved stairlift to be able to be de-installed at one location and re-installed on another staircase." Treat the rail as part of this stair.

Where it fits.

• A staircase that needs a custom curved rail: indoors with the CRE-2110, outdoors with the CRE-2110E.
• A stair with a middle landing where the rider may stop. The optional mid-park position parks and charges the chair between the two rail ends. The chair stops and beeps there, and the rider presses the control again to continue.
• A rider up to 400 lb (181 kg) who can transfer to and from a seat.

Where it does not fit.

• A rider who must stay in a wheelchair. A stairlift requires transfer to a fixed seat. Plan a vertical platform lift such as the Bruno VPL or an elevator. The Savaria Delta inclined platform lift serves one straight flight only, so it does not fit a curved stair.
• A stair steeper than 45 degrees, the published maximum incline.
• An accessible route where the ADA Standards apply (section 07).

What it is confused with. Bruno's Elite straight is a separate product on a straight rail, with its own guide: Bruno Elite straight. The Bruno Elan (SRE-5000) is a separate straight-rail indoor model.

Which Elite curved model does the project need?

Choose the CRE-2110 for an indoor stair and the CRE-2110E for an outdoor stair; both share the same capacity and power supply.

Choose by location. Both models share the values in section 03 and the power supply in section 05. The differences:

• Options on both models. Extended rail park positions to park the chair away from the steps or out of view, a mid-park charging position for stairs with middle landings, a larger seat and a larger footrest.
• Model codes. Bruno's web pages do not print model codes; the operator manuals and warranty certificates do. The indoor manual cover also names a CRE-2110OS, which Bruno does not describe publicly. Confirm the model code on the order with the dealer.
• Commercial use. The indoor manual is labeled "Residential" and the outdoor manual "Residential and Commercial". Bruno publishes no separate commercial specification for either model. Stairlifts in commercial buildings and in the common areas of apartment buildings need a permit and yearly inspection (section 07).

What are the Elite curved's published dimensions?

Both models share a 400 lb capacity, a 45 degree maximum incline, and published seat and footrest sizes, but Bruno publishes no rail length or stair width.

Each value below appears in both models' current documents.

Bruno's indoor brochure says seat height, footrest height and armrest width adjust. It publishes no adjustment ranges.

Not in Bruno's public documents. Bruno does not publish a maximum rail length, a minimum stair width, the folded or unfolded projection from the wall, carriage dimensions, the seat height range, unit or rail weight, or loads on the treads. The dealer confirms fit when measuring the stairs.

The rail overrun past the top and bottom nosings, the rail height above the nosing, the number and spacing of supports and the rail length needed for a park position are available from the manufacturer or a dealer on request.

How does the rail mount, and what do the stair and landings need?

Supports fasten the vertical rail to the treads, and the chair charges only when parked tightly at a rail-end bracket or the mid-park position.

Mounting to treads. Bruno's stairlift FAQ says a stairlift is always installed on the top of the treads, and each support needs a few screws. After removal, small screw holes will show on exposed wood, concrete or metal treads. Bruno does not publish structural loads, so the dealer and the general contractor confirm that the treads are sound and fastenable.

Rail ends are charging points. The chair charges only when it is parked tightly against the charge brackets at either end of the rail, or at the optional mid-park position. If the carriage does not touch the bracket, the batteries slowly drain. Plan each rail end so the chair can park fully at the bracket without blocking a door or path, or use an optional extended park position.

What power, wiring and controls does the Elite curved need?

Both models run on batteries charged by a 24VDC charger on a 120V outlet, and Bruno publishes no circuit size or GFCI requirement.

Both models run on batteries in the carriage. The building supplies an outlet for the charger.

• Supply: "Power Supply: 24VDC battery charger powered by 120V outlet" (both operator manuals, p. 3).
• Batteries: two 12 V batteries, charged at the rail-end brackets (section 04). The charger LED table lists "maximum current (2.2A)" while charging.
• Charger to rail: the charger feeds the rail's charge contacts. The manual lists "a wire is disconnected between charger and rail" as one cause of a red charger light.
• Outlet: a live outlet that no wall switch controls. Bruno does not publish the circuit size, a dedicated circuit, GFCI protection or the outlet location. Coordinate outlet locations with the dealer. The electrician sizes and protects the circuit under the National Electrical Code edition the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) enforces: in New Jersey, NEC 2023 from August 17, 2026.
• Remotes (indoor): the 2023 manual's troubleshooting page says to check that receivers are plugged in, but its remote section no longer describes a plug-in receiver. Ask the dealer whether the remote system needs a wall outlet, and where.
• Mid-park charging: Bruno does not publish whether a mid-park charging position needs its own outlet. Confirm with the dealer.
• Outdoor charger: "The battery charger is designed to be mounted in a temperature-controlled, dry location. If it has to be exposed to water, do not use until inspected." Bruno publishes nothing further on outdoor outlet or charger siting. Set it with the dealer before rough-in.
• Carriage breaker: an ON/OFF switch with a built-in circuit breaker protects the battery, controller and motor circuits in the carriage.

Power outage. Both manuals say: "Your stairlift is battery powered and will operate for some time during a power outage, depending on the battery condition, length of stairs and weight of rider." The indoor manual adds that the wireless call/send remotes may not work in an outage, but the seat controls will. Bruno does not publish battery capacity, standby time or a trip count. The owner's manuals do not describe manual lowering.

Controls and safety features.

• The lift will not run unless the seat is locked in the riding position, at a right angle to the rail.
• Obstruction sensors in the footrest stop the carriage if something is on the stairs.
• Bruno says not to use the call/send remotes with a rider on the seat. The indoor remote uses two AA alkaline batteries, changed yearly. The outdoor transmitter mounts on the wall and uses a 9 V battery, replaced yearly.
• Overload sensors stop a jammed power seat and return a jammed power footrest to its last position (indoor power options).

What does the outdoor CRE-2110E need?

The CRE-2110E is tested for 0°F to 125°F, needs weather care such as paint touch-ups, and its charger and remote locations must be agreed with the dealer.

The CRE-2110E is built for exterior stairs; Bruno publishes no temperature range for the indoor CRE-2110. Bruno's published limits and care rules for the outdoor model:

• Tested range: "This custom curved rail stairlift has been tested to perform within the operating temperature range of 0˚F (-18˚C) to 125˚F (52˚C)." A label says not to operate the lift outside that range.
• Wet weather: a label warns "Slippery when wet or icy."
• After winter: "After a harsh winter, especially if the stairlift has not been used for an extended period of time, contact a Bruno dealer to inspect the unit before putting stairlift back in service."
• Paint: inspect painted surfaces on receipt, after installation and once a year, and retouch scratches with paint from the dealer. "Failure to touch up scratches that cause limited rusting may void the warranty."
• Seasonal storage: turn off the breaker, remove the keys, remove the batteries, unplug the charger and store it indoors, and cover the lift.

What this means for the design. Bruno publishes no GFCI or weatherproof-outlet requirement (section 05). Plan the wall location of the outdoor remote transmitter with the owner and dealer.

What codes apply in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

Permit and inspection requirements for stairlifts vary by state and code office, and the authority having jurisdiction confirms them.

What Bruno states. Bruno's operator manuals print an Intertek ETL listing mark (4004689) and an FCC Part 15 Class B statement. Bruno's current public documents for these models do not name ASME A18.1 or any other lift safety standard. Ask Bruno or the dealer for a written statement of the A18.1 edition the model meets.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Permit and inspection requirements for stairlifts vary by state, building type and local code office. Confirm them with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) before installation. Stairlifts in commercial buildings and in the common areas of apartment buildings need a permit and yearly inspection.

Accessibility (public buildings only). The U.S. Access Board says stairway chairlifts cannot be used where the 2010 ADA Standards permit platform lifts (206.7). The design professional decides whether an accessible route is required.

The AHJ decides which code requirements apply, including the A18.1 edition it enforces. For more, see NJ and PA code requirements.

Who does what on an Elite curved project?

An Elite curved project moves from assessing the rider and stair, to choosing options, to the dealer's measurement, to preparing outlets and landings, to installation.

1. Step 01

   Assess the rider and the stair

   Rider weight against 400 lb and ability to transfer, steepest stair section against 45 degrees, and the indoor (CRE-2110) or outdoor (CRE-2110E) model.

2. Step 02

   Choose the options

   Park positions, mid-park at a middle landing, larger seat or footrest, and on the indoor model power swivel, power footrest, key switch and upholstery color.

3. Step 03

   Settle the stair, then measure

   Finish treads, nosings and carpet, or fix them in the drawings. The authorized Bruno dealer measures the staircase, and Bruno builds the rail to that measurement.

4. Step 04

   Prepare outlets and landings

   Live 120 V outlets that no wall switch controls, where the dealer directs. Landings clear for the swivel exit and the rail ends.

5. Step 05

   Install and close out

   The authorized Bruno dealer installs the rail and chair and sets the options.

What mistakes should planners avoid?

Common mistakes include planning from old documents, switched outlets, changing the stair after measurement, and treating the lift as an accessible route.

• Planning from old documents. Bruno's 2021 brochure and manual and a 2014 specification sheet (ILS-00905 Rev. 5) give seat sizes, warranty terms, remote hardware, incline and rail-clearance values that differ from the current documents, and speed and rail-length figures the current documents omit. The layout and the owner's expectations will not match the current lift.
• Putting the charger on a switched outlet. When the switch is off, the batteries stop charging. Partially charged batteries let the lift go down the rail but not up.
• A rail end where the chair cannot park at the bracket. The batteries slowly drain. Plan a clear rail end or a park position.
• Changing the stair after the measurement. The rail is built to the measured stair. New treads, nosings or carpet after measuring can mean the rail no longer fits.
• Neglecting the outdoor model's care rules. Bruno designs the charger for a dry, temperature-controlled location and says not to use it after water exposure until it is inspected. Paint scratches not touched up that cause limited rusting may void the warranty.
• Counting a stairlift as an accessible route. The Access Board says stairway chairlifts cannot be used where the ADA permits platform lifts.

Checklists

Separate checklists cover the architect or designer, the general contractor and the electrician.

What warranty and maintenance does Bruno publish?

Major components carry a lifetime warranty indoors and five years outdoors, other parts two years, with yearly dealer service required.

Bruno's warranties begin on the date of installation by a Bruno Authorized Dealer, which should be no later than 14 months after the lift shipped from the factory.

• Optional equipment: not a major component.
• Exclusions: misuse, abuse, accidents, neglect, modifications not made by a Bruno Authorized Dealer, consumables such as remote batteries, labor after 30 days, reasonable wear and tear, and cosmetic damage that does not affect operation.
• Conditions: "Bruno stairlifts must be installed and maintained by an authorized Bruno dealer or the warranty will be null and void." The indoor warranty adds that all maintenance and repair, other than the owner's own, must be done by a Bruno Authorized Dealer. The outdoor warranty says all service and warranty issues are handled through the dealer that installed the unit, and the paint condition in section 06 applies.
• Outdoor wording: Bruno's outdoor certificate also uses the phrase "for the lifetime of the Bruno Stairlift"; the detailed terms say five years after installation, so confirm the terms with Bruno at purchase.

Maintenance. Both manuals say: "Contact your Bruno dealer annually to have the stairlift examined, cleaned and lubricated."

Frequently asked questions

Sources and revision history