Thanks for asking Mike. We have an apartment above it and have numerous wires, pipes, etc. running thru the tresses. so we would like to be able to get to some of them. I doubt there is but was wondering if there was some type of dropped ceiling or other panel that was fired rated that we could use. I guess our plan will be to add a few cut outs that we can pulldown if we need to get at something. thanks for any help.

Using another type of lamp is not always a good idea because the rating limit is intended to prevent excessive heat build up and a "retrofit" CFL with an integral ballast in the base can overheat in an enclosure. If you remove the enclosure you might be able to use 50w. PAR 20 halogen lamps. In general, I recommend using another location for lighting because such lights usually shine in your eyes especially if they are not frosted.

It appears that a certain "renovator" is very quick to offer a wealth of picayune knowledge, yet nothing is cited so that one may ascertain the validity of such claims. Self-closing hinges are absolutely necessary for a garage man door. Call the Elyria building department and the inspector will tell you that the project will be turned down if those hinges are not installed. Any reputable contractor knows how difficult it can be to navigate through the code books; as many sections will refer to other sections, or even different code books. Furthermore, many municipalities have adopted their own set of rules that are above and beyond that of the Ohio code; in which case, the contractor must abide to that code. I would be wary, not of your contractor, rather a disputative "renovator" that makes claims that a CO2 detector is a good defense against fire. Even more, to make claims as to what the code says, yet offer no citation for reference. It sounds as if your contractor is a commercial contractor and following commercial codes, rather than residential.

It’s a long story cuz the 1st contractor screwed us. We had no clue what we were getting into but instead of buying a house we thought it would be great to add a 2nd floor to his parents house so our kids can be closer to their grandparents... 4 years later & it was living HELL. But 2nd floor is done now and now working on the 1st floor and my in laws are in the basement and my husbands grandmother, sister and brother are living with us up here till this is done.