FAQS

The top FAQs regarding GRIDLOK® suspended ceiling bracing OPM 0544, and BRACELOK® part high wall bracing OPM 0377. These FAQs cover the preapproval, submittal, use and purchase of GRIDLOK® and BRACELOK® for HCAI and DSA projects.

Q1. What is the OPM program, how do systems achieve this status, and what does the design professional need to do in terms of a submission?

The OPM approval program means that the details have been preapproved by HCAI and DSA after rigorous testing and engineering calculations. The OPM sets out what review is required by the relevant architect of engineer to ensure that the OPM details are appropriate for the project conditions. Once submitted require no further review. https://hcai.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/OSHPD-OPM-Preapproval-of-Manufacturers-Certification-Accessible.pdf is a description of the OPM program. The GRIDLOK OPM is the approved replacement for the OPD detail for HCAI, and the ceiling seismic bracing of DSA’s IR-25.19. Both HCAI and DSA also accept the OPM for BRACELOK® for part high walls.

Q2. If we use the OPM, how do we submit it with our other drawings?

The entire OPM as published needs to be submitted in its original PDF format. If there are pages that are not applicable to the project, then simply strike through the pages that are not relevant. A copy of a condensed version of the OPMs is available on our website under Downloads. By striking through the pages that are not relevant to your project you will complete the submittal requirements. You do NOT need to incorporate the details onto your existing drawings file.

Q3. How do we get a copy of the OPM in Revit so that we can include it in our standard documents?

You cannot. If you attempt to disassemble the OPM so that it sits inside your standard details, then you lose the watermark, and your submission would no longer be an OPM. Instead, attach the OPM in PDF form and strike out any pages that are not relevant to your project.

Q4. Is the submission process for a project the same for HCAI and DSA?

Yes, the OPM is part of the Construction Documents. The official OPM must be submitted.

Q5. How do I know if the OPM is the current OPM?

The OPM is listed on the HCAI website. https://hcai.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OPM-0544.pdf Search on either the product name, GRIDLOK® or its OPM number 0544. Do the same for BRACELOK®, its OPM number is 0377. We strongly recommend that you use this official site because the OPM is subject to revision, and this is where the current version is published. The current OPMs are also on our website under Downloads.

Q6. In public bids, what are the alternative systems that exist to our products?

We recommend you state our product as the Design Preference and then refer to then have the OPD or IR-25 as an alternative ‘or equal’.

Under HCAI, the logical alternative is their OPD detail. For DSA projects the alternate can be either DSA’s IR-25 or you can simply state (‘or equal’). Multiple examples using wire or steel stud for bracing are contained in https://hcai.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OPD-0002-13.pdf See Sections CL3-CL6 for multiple alternatives. These details are also replicated in DSA’s IR-25.19. 2.35; 5.10-5.50.

Q7. Is GRIDLOK® approved under the 2019 CBC?

Yes, which means that projects on earlier versions of the California Building Code are also approved.

Q8. How do you contact us and what are our hours?

We have trained staff available from 8am to 6pm M-F. Please call us at 619 917 1688 or email us at info@bracelok.com.

Q9. Are there any special notes regarding the installation of GRIDLOK® and BRACELOK®?

Yes. The basis of all the OPM calculations is SDS which is a measurement of ground acceleration. Every physical address in California has its unique SDS, and on large sites, it is important that the specific location of the construction is identified at that address. To understand what the SDS is for a specific site, go to the opening page of drawings and view the Structural Engineer’s notes for the site. Another way to check is to go to seismicmaps.org and enter the appropriate values including the site address. The value for DSA projects is Category III, for HCAI projects it is Category IV. With that information and the street address, you have enough information to use on seismicmaps.org. However, you should rely on the engineers’ numbers when they are available.

Q10. Installing GRIDLOK® on the main tee- what are the options?

There are two different scenarios about the placement of the fly plate on the main runner. If you place the fly plate abutting the junction of the main and cross runners, then you obtain the greatest flexibility of rotation. You may rotate it any number of degrees that suit a specific install. In placing the clip at this location, you also eliminate the need for a vertical dropper for that location. See Sheet S4 Notes 4,5.

If you place the fly plate other than abutting the junction, anywhere along the main tee see S4 Note 6.

If you are using GRIDLOK® in conjunction with USG’s Advancespan product, see the detail on sheets 3A and 16 of the OPM.

Q11. What flexibility is there in changing the angle of the GRIDLOK® brace and post and how does that work when bracing to walls?

(i) The brace flanges are set at 45° ex-factory. See S4A for the steel stud requirements for the braces and post required based upon the SDS of the site. See S4 Notes 7, 8 re the ability to field bend these once and in conjunction with that, see Sheet 4B, Tables 1 and 2 for the different steel stud requirements If your brace angle is above 55° see note 7 of S4B regarding increasing the brace thickness.
(ii) The post strut is capable of being other than at 90°. See Note 4 on Sheet 4A.
(iii) Bracing to wall details are at Sheets 15A and 15B.
(iv) All details for hanger wire and perimeter details are on Sheets 17-21, and there is nothing unique to GRIDLOK® in those details - they are copies of the HCAI OPD and DSA IR.25 details and allow you to submit a single document for all of the ceiling details.

Q12. Why are sheets S17-S21 (which are details from HCAI’s OPD 0002-13) included in the OPM?

By including those we have provided a complete submittal document that incorporates the OPD and IR details. GRIDLOK® does not have a proprietary detail for hanger wire. Therefore, the OPD and IR details are included as a convenience so that submitters do not have to submit our proprietary elements and separately the hanger details.

Q13. What is the lead time for GRIDLOK® product delivery?

All product is sourced from our fulfillment center in Hawthorne, California (close to LAX). Orders placed before noon through our website are shipped free the same business day, typically by FedEx 2-3 business day delivery, or for large quantities by LTL.

Q14. How do we order these products?

Select ‘Buy Online’ at the top of our website. If you want GRIDLOK® choose which brand of ceiling grid your project requires. That can be Armstrong®, CertainTeed®, or USG®. All heavy-duty grid from those manufacturers is supported, and special grids such as USG’s Advancespan corridor grid is also supported. (See the OPM).

Then select how many boxes of 10 units are required. Each box comes with 10 GRIDLOK® or BRACELOK® clips, together with clips to attach to the deck above. So, if you need 100 units you would click on the counter until you get to 10. If you need to brace to walls you will also need to order the BC-30 clips.

Enter the delivery address required, and in the comments section please indicate whether there is a lift truck or other unloading assistance available at your destination.

Go to check out. Use a credit card to pay. Sales tax will be automatically calculated by the delivery address.

If you order before noon PST Monday-Friday, the products will ship the same day. Shipping is always free. If you have a sales tax exemption certificate it must first be on file with us, otherwise sales tax will be charged for California purchasers. Once you complete the purchase and it is shipped you will receive a tracking number. Delivery is typically 2-3 business days.

The major difference between our OPMs and the other alternatives is that traditional systems require significantly more labor and ‘one-off’ construction, leading to inconsistent builds, whereas GRIDLOK® and BRACELOK® as premanufactured solutions, results in less labor, a consistent outcome, greater resilience and lower installed cost and of course fewer plenum clashes.

These FAQs have been developed because of questions we frequently receive, both during presentations, design, and submittal as well as from site-specific situations. Please help us develop these further by submitting additional questions to info@bracelok.com

Updated November 8th 2022