FirstRate5 v5.2.4 (3.13) is now available as a free download from www.fr5.com.au. SV recommends that all users upgrade to this version.

This version includes the following changes.                        

•  Updated AFRC custom windows and roof windows library
• Updated postcode and climate zone data 

Updated postcode and climate zone data

Sustainability Victoria has been instructed by the NatHERS Administrator to update the postcode/climate zone list in FirstRate5. The new list included in FirstRate5 v5.2.4 (3.13) contains the following changes (assessors can download a document form the FirstRate5 website to view all the postcode/climate zone changes).

• Two new postcodes have been added (i.e. 2769 & 2808).
• The climate zones associated with 87 existing NSW postcodes have changed. In most cases the change is either the removal of an Alternative Climate Zone or the swapping around of the Principal and Alternative Climate Zones.

Assessors should take note of the following two important points.

• All Universal Certificates that are generated in the FirstRate5 web portal by 9 December 2016 (5pm) and use FirstRate5 v5.2.3 (3.1.3) and one of the impacted postcodes will remain valid and will not need to be updated.
• Sustainability recommends that current projects that have not yet been certified and use any of the impacted postcodes are completed and certified in FirstRate5 v5.2.4 (3.13). Assessors should carefully check the ‘NatHERS Climate Zone’ field on the Project tab to ensure that the correct Principal/Alternative climate zone has been specified.

Transition Arrangements for FR5 v5.2.3 (3.1.3)

Until 9 December 2016 (5pm) a transition period will be in place. During this period both v5.2.3 (3.1.3) and v5.2.4 (3.1.3) files will automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website. Please note that all project files created using a version of FirstRate5 v5.2.3 (i.e. v5.2.3, v5.2.3a or 5.2.3b) will be calculated using the v5.2.3b calculation engine when uploaded to the FirstRate5 website.

After 9 December 2016 (5pm) v5.2.4 (3.13) files will continue to automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website, however v5.2.3 (3.13) files will calculate by special request only.

For more information on FirstRate5 visit www.fr5.com.au, submit a query through the online contact form or email [email protected]. 

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Note: It is the user’s responsibility to ensure certificates are produced with the appropriate version. If a user chooses to inappropriately use an earlier version of FR5 to produce a certificate, they run the risk that a Building Surveyor will reject the certificate leading to further certificate costs.

Note: Installation of minor releases involving a letter change, eg,  v5.2.2b to v5.2.2c, will by default overwrite the previous version, while major releases involving a number change, eg, v5.2.3 (3.13) to v5.2.4 (3.13), will by default install beside older versions.