published: 1/3/2010
1st March 2010: New release of iSBEM_v3.5.a
A new release of the calculation software SBEM, and its interface iSBEM, has today been made available for those wishing to produce Energy Performance Certificates for buildings other than dwellings, or to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations, in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, and the States of Jersey.
Version 3.5.a of the software has benefited from feedback from tests carried out on the previous release version 3.4.a issued in May 2009 and the beta version 3.4.b issued in January 2010. The new version can be downloaded from the Download page, along with an updated version of the iSBEM User Guide.
For a list of new features and improvements implemented to iSBEM_v3.5.a, please see the Updates page or refer to the iSBEM User Guide.
Please note that there are two version of iSBEM_3.5.a, one for Office 2007 users and the other is for Office 2002/03 users. Please ensure you download the version which is applicable to your MS Office application.
The SBEM development team is very grateful for feedback on the operation of the tool, and would welcome comments and queries through the helpline service, accessed through the Send feedback page on the website. Energy Assessors should direct all queries to their respective Accreditation Scheme Providers.
Important Notice for All Energy Assessors:
iSBEM v3.5.a produces XML files for the new Non-Domestic Register which will become LIVE after Sunday 7th March 2010. Any attempt to lodge an XML file produced by iSBEM v3.5.a before then will fail. Following this date, all EPC lodgements must be performed using XML files generated using iSBEM v3.5.a (or any other approved software updated to use the latest version of the SBEM engine v3.5.a). It will no longer be possible to lodge XML files generated using any previous versions of iSBEM (or any other approved software which has not been updated to use the latest version of the SBEM engine v3.5.a).
Assessors' activation codes from the current LIVE EPCgen.net (v3.4.a) (previous to 2nd March 12pm) have been copied over to EPCgen.net (v3.5.a) so the same codes can be used with the new version of iSBEM, and there is no need to generate new activation codes.
Any "nct" files already created using previous versions of iSBEM can be converted to iSBEM v3.5.a using the conversion tool (nct_convert_v3.5.a.mdb) which is automatically downloaded and installed with the new version. There are step-by-step instructions on the conversion process in the latest version of the iSBEM User Guide. Once the "nct" files are converted, they can be opened and edited using iSBEM v3.5.a. After ensuring that the input parameters are refreshed, as per the instructions in the iSBEM User Guide, you can run the calculation, and the Compliance document, EPC documents, and XML file for lodgement can be generated. For any queries, please contact your Accreditation Scheme Provider.
