This glossary has been developed by Gate Industry Australia (GIA) in consultation with Fencing Industry Australia (FIA) as a continually updated national reference covering manual and automated gate systems. It provides clear, technically accurate definitions of key terms used across the Australian gate and automation sector, aligned with the Gates and Automation Code of Practice 2025. The glossary supports shared understanding, professional learning, and improved safety outcomes across design, installation, operation, and maintenance activities.
| Gate or Automation Term | Concise Technical Description |
|---|---|
| Access Control System | Electronic system that manages gate operation, allowing entry only to authorised users. |
| Actuator | Mechanical component powered by electricity, hydraulics, or pneumatics to move a gate or barrier. |
| Anti-Fall Device | Safety mechanism preventing a gate leaf from collapsing if hinges, rollers, or supports fail. |
| Audible Warning Device | Alarm or buzzer that activates when the gate is moving to warn nearby persons. |
| Automatic Gate | Gate that opens or closes using an electrically controlled motor or actuator without manual force. |
| Automatic Operation | Operation mode where a gate moves automatically after receiving a signal from an access system. |
| Barrier Arm Gate | Gate using a pivoted boom arm to control vehicle access to carparks or restricted areas. |
| Bi-Fold Gate | Double-leaf swing gate hinged in the centre so each leaf folds onto itself, reducing the swing area. |
| Cantilever Gate | Sliding gate supported by rollers and counterbalance structures, operating without a ground track. |
| Control Panel | Electrical interface housing automation controls, logic board, and system safety circuits. |
| Crushing Hazard | Risk of injury caused by a person being trapped or compressed between a moving gate and a fixed object. |
| Edge Sensor (Safety Edge) | Pressure-sensitive strip on the leading edge of an automated gate that stops motion on contact. |
| Electronic Locking System | Electrically powered lock that secures the gate in open or closed positions. |
| Emergency Stop Button | Prominent control that immediately halts gate movement during hazardous conditions. |
| End Stops / Travel Stops | Mechanical devices that prevent gate over-travel beyond its designed open or closed limits. |
| Entrapment Hazard | Situation where a person or object can become caught and unable to escape from gate movement. |
| Fail-Safe Mode | System setting ensuring a gate reverts to a safe position (e.g. opens or halts) if power or components fail. |
| Fail-Secure Mode | System configuration keeping a gate locked closed during power or control failure to maintain site security. |
| Gate Infill | Panels, bars, or mesh used within a gate frame to provide security or visual screening. |
| Gate Operator | Motor unit that drives the opening and closing of a gate through mechanical or hydraulic means. |
| Gate Stop | Structural or mechanical feature preventing gate overrun at end positions. |
| Hinge Guard | Safety cover or shroud preventing finger or limb entrapment within the hinge area of swing gates. |
| Hydraulic Operator | Gate motor powered by hydraulic pressure for heavy-duty or high-cycle applications. |
| Impact Force | Measured force exerted by a moving gate upon contact with an object or person. |
| Intercom System | Communication system allowing users to request access or remotely operate a gate. |
| Keypad Entry System | Access control device that requires a PIN or code to trigger gate operation. |
| Lock-Out / Tag-Out (LOTO) | Procedure ensuring a gate cannot be operated while maintenance or servicing is in progress. |
| Loop Detector | Ground-embedded sensor detecting vehicle presence to control gate activation. |
| Manual Gate | Non-motorised gate operated by hand or physical effort. |
| Manual Release Mechanism | Device enabling a powered gate to be operated manually in the event of power loss. |
| Motor Housing | Enclosure protecting the gate motor, drive gear, and electronic components from damage or weather. |
| Obstacle Detection System | System that detects obstructions in the gate’s path to prevent impact or injury. |
| Over-Travel Prevention | Design feature that limits a gate’s movement to within its safe operating range. |
| Pedestrian Gate | Gate designed specifically for foot traffic, separate from vehicle access points. |
| Photoelectric Sensor Beams | Non-contact light sensors detecting movement or presence across the gate’s path. |
| Presence Detection System | Electronic system (using infrared, radar, or laser) that halts or reverses a gate before physical contact. |
| Pulse Operation (Non-Visual) | Remote start of automatic gate movement without direct line-of-sight—requires enhanced safety devices. |
| Pulse Operation (Visual) | Gate activation with operator in clear view of the gate, providing direct visual safety oversight. |
| Push-to-Exit Button | Control switch allowing free exit from inside without credentials or codes. |
| Remote Control | Wireless handheld device transmitting signals to operate an automatic gate. |
| Residual Current Device (RCD) | Electrical safety device that cuts power when current leakage or fault is detected. |
| Reversing Sensor | Safety sensor that detects obstacles and automatically reverses gate direction. |
| Safety Beams | Infrared or laser sensors positioned across a gate opening to detect obstruction and stop movement. |
| Safety Distances | Minimum required clearances to prevent crush, shear, or entrapment hazards, as per AS 4024. |
| Self-Supporting Gate | Gate structure that maintains full support without external bracing or ground tracks. |
| Shear Hazard | Hazard where moving and fixed parts can pinch or sever body parts during gate operation. |
| Sliding Gate | Gate that moves horizontally along a track or cantilever system to open and close. |
| Solenoid Lock | Electromagnetic lock securing gates automatically upon activation. |
| Speed Control | Function controlling gate opening and closing speeds to maintain safety and reduce wear. |
| Structural Integrity | Strength and stability of the gate and supports to resist load, wind, and misuse without failure. |
| Support Post | Structural element that anchors and supports gate operation and weight distribution. |
| Surge Protection Device | Electrical component that prevents automation equipment damage from power surges. |
| Swing Gate | Hinged gate that opens inwards or outwards, manually or automatically. |
| Tamper-Proof Fasteners | Security fixings that prevent unauthorised removal of safety components. |
| Technical File | Documentation set detailing gate design, compliance, risk assessment, testing, and maintenance data. |
| Time Delay Function | Adjustable setting that delays gate activation or closure after a command is given. |
| Torque Sensor | Safety sensor that detects abnormal force during movement and stops or reverses the gate. |
| Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) | Backup power system maintaining gate function during power outages. |
| Vehicle Access Gate | Gate designed to regulate vehicle entry and exit through controlled or automated operation. |
| Warning Signage | Safety labels and signs indicating operational hazards, emergency actions, and safety distances. |
| Weatherproof Enclosure | IP-rated casing protecting electrical and automation components from moisture and dust. |
| Wind Load Resistance | Ability of a gate and its supports to resist wind forces without mechanical or structural failure. |
| Wireless Access Keypad | Keypad communicating via wireless signal to control access without physical wiring. |
| Worm Gear Drive | Gear system converting motor rotation into slow, controlled gate movement. |
| Solar-Powered Gate System | Automated gate powered by photovoltaic panels and battery storage, eliminating mains dependence. |
| Telescopic Gate | Multi-panel sliding gate design allowing shorter back-run by overlapping sections. |
| Double Swing Gate | Pair of hinged leaves that open in opposite directions, commonly automated for vehicle access. |
| Cantilever Gate (Dual Support) | Heavy-duty cantilever system with twin roller carriages for wide-span or industrial openings. |
| Track Sliding Gate | Gate moving along a ground track, guided by rollers, requiring precise alignment and maintenance. |
| Vertical Lift Gate | Gate type that raises vertically to allow clearance where horizontal movement is restricted. |
| Folding Gate (Telescopic or Bi-Fold) | Gate that folds or retracts in sections to save space in constrained installations. |
| Solar Gate Automation Kit | System including solar panels, charge controller, batteries, and gate operator for off-grid operation. |
| Pedestrian Access Gate with Interlock | Controlled pedestrian gate integrated with access control for safety or security sequencing. |
| Automated Boom Barrier | Motorised barrier arm gate designed for vehicle control at carparks and access roads. |
| Safety Edge System | Contact-sensitive edge along the gate’s moving sections to detect pressure and stop movement. |
