What is pre-approval (OPA number)?
Pre-Approval is an “extra step” whereby the method of equipment anchorage is actually approved by OSHPD and given an approval number or an OPA-number. (OPA being OSHPD Pre-Approval). This “extra step” is not a requirement by the California Building Code or OSHPD, only a recommendation. However, due to the nature of installations and the number of different parties involved, pre-approval has become a way of expediting the installation and permit process. The greatest value to pre-approval is as a marketing tool. Many Hospitals prefer equipment with an OPA-number, which then leads to architectural firms requesting them. Having an OPA-number then becomes a way of bypassing an initial disqualification by a hospital, even though the OPA-number was never mandatory. To see a full list of the pre-approvals visit http://www.oshpd.ca.gov/FDD/Pre-Approval/. Schools (under the jurisdiction of the Division of the State Architect (DSA)) also recognize pre-approvals.
