• Added a range of steel frame dimensions to the Thermal Bridge drop-down list. This will allow users to more accurately model the impact of thermal bridging on walls, floors, ceilings and roofs, instead of only specifying the default value.
• Automated the application of airspaces adjacent to framing so users no longer need to manually select this option. In cases where thermal bridging is applied, adjacent airgaps are automatically applied to walls, floor, ceilings, and roofs according to the rules set out in the NatHERS Technical Note. The checkbox ‘Adjacent Air Gap’ has been removed from the software.

Bug fixes:

• Fixed the issue of the insulation placeholder and thermal bridge value for a custom floor not being copied from the Construction Libraries to the project.
• Fixed the issue of the incorrect steel frame R-value being used when calculating the thermal bridging properties for floors.
• Fixed the issue of the scratch file not being correctly updated to reflect changes to the weather stripping of openings in the garage zones.
• Fixed the issue of the PDF project background moving during the project file upgrade process.

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

Transition arrangements for FR5 v5.5.3 (3.22)

Until 15 January 2024 (9am), a transition period will be in place. During this period both v5.5.3 (3.22) files (i.e. v5.5.3 and v5.5.3a) and v5.5.4 (3.22) files will automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website.

After 15 January 2024 (9am), v5.5.4 (3.22) files will continue to automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website, however v5.5.3 (3.22) files (i.e. v5.5.3 and v5.5.3a) will calculate by special request only.

Summer holiday support schedule

The FirstRate5 helpdesk will be closed from Friday 22 December 2023 (12pm AEDT) and will re-open on Monday 8 January 2024 (9am AEDT). 

We wish all our customers a relaxing summer break and look forward to working with you again in 2024.

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,  v5.2.10a to v5.2.10b, will by default overwrite the previous version, while major releases involving a number change, eg, v5.2.11 (3.13) to v5.3.0 (3.21), will by default install beside older versions.