Gate Safety Built by Fence & Gate Companies
Safety is TGM-500™ and TGM-501™
TGM-500™ is a practical, field-tested gate operator safety standard created for real-world installers. It gives contractors a simple, checklist-based way to ensure gates are installed safely—without needing expensive, brand-locked devices or complex code interpretations.
Let's take safety to the next level
Gate operator safety doesn't have to be complicated.
TGM-500™ and TGM-501™ aren’t just safety standards—they’re a shift in how the gate and fence industry takes ownership of its work. For the first time, we have a practical, field-tested way to prove a system is safe without relying on overly complex or proprietary methods.
These standards are going to change the industry by:
- ✅ Putting control back in the hands of installers who actually do the work
- ✅ Opening the market to new manufacturers who build solid products but can’t afford restrictive certification processes
- ✅ Easing the burden on small and medium-sized fence companies by removing overpriced device lock-ins and complex approval requirements
- ✅ Promoting more real-world engagement with gate safety, encouraging contractors to test, verify, and sign off on every system they build
- ✅ Earning the trust of local building and fire departments by giving them clear checklists, straightforward documentation, and safety practices they can visually inspect and approve
We believe this is the correct way to promote professionalism in our trade—with structure, accountability, and installer-led standards. Not just with logos on boxes.
It also helps attract new talent to the industry. TGM standards give apprentices, trainees, and new business owners a clear way to learn, comply, and prove they know what they’re doing. And just as importantly, it helps retain skilled professionals who might otherwise leave out of frustration with gatekeeping, unclear standards, or lack of recognition.
TGM-500™ and TGM-501™ make safety something we own, not something handed down. They raise the bar—and they keep it in our hands.
And because these standards were developed alongside Fence University and the Fence Workers Association, free training and public awareness have become core priorities of the movement. Contractors and newcomers alike can access checklists, videos, and certification tools—at no cost—making it easier than ever to participate, learn, and contribute to a safer industry.
For years, our industry has been guided by standards and rules created without the input of the installers, builders, and service professionals who actually do the work. Small and mid-sized companies have had to navigate expensive equipment requirements, confusing language, and safety systems that don’t match real-world job sites.
TGM-500™ and TGM-501™ were built to change that.
These standards put the power back in the hands of the people on the ground—the folks who install, test, and stand behind every gate they touch. They offer practical, easy-to-follow checklists that improve safety, reduce liability, and give contractors the ability to show they did the job right.
- TGM-500™ improves gate operator safety through verified force limits, real-time sensor checks, and installer accountability.
- TGM-501™ improves gate construction safety by preventing fall-over risks, reducing gap hazards, and ensuring the structure is safe and secure.
Together, they bring clarity, consistency, and common sense to an industry that’s ready to take ownership of its standards.
Gate operator Safety Standard
What is TGM-500™?
TGM-500™ is a field-focused gate operator safety standard designed to simplify and improve safety practices across the fence and gate industry. Instead of relying solely on manufacturer controls and complex certification models, TGM-500™ gives installers a clear, enforceable checklist to verify safety at the time of installation.
TGM-500™ focuses on:
- ✅ Manual release accessibility
- ✅ Auto-close delay and warnings
- ✅ Safety sensor functionality (open/close)
- ✅ Force limitation
- ✅ Surge protection and labeled disconnects
It puts responsibility—and respect—back in the hands of the installer, while still giving AHJs and property owners confidence that a system was installed safely and responsibly.
Gate Construction Standard
What is TGM-501™?
TGM-501™ is a construction-based safety standard for physical gate systems. It ensures that the gate itself is built to prevent entrapment, resist tipping or collapse, and operate safely when paired with any gate operator.
TGM-501™ covers all structural and design safety requirements that traditional standards often overlook, including:
- ✅ Frame rigidity and strength
- ✅ Maximum bottom clearance of 4 inches
- ✅ Gap limitations (no greater than 2.25 inches)
- ✅ Roller guards and pinch-point shielding
- ✅ Fall protection: gate should not be able to tip more than 45° if hardware fails
By setting clear expectations for gate construction, TGM-501™ helps installers, fabricators, and inspectors ensure safer installations—especially in custom or non-standard environments.
Download Verification Forms
Slide Gate FIELD VERIFICATION Form
This field verification form confirms that an automated gate system has been installed in compliance with the TGM-500™ (Operator Safety) and TGM-501™ (Gate Construction) standards.
Swing Gate Field Verification Form
This field verification form confirms that an automated gate system has been installed in compliance with the TGM-500™ (Operator Safety) and TGM-501™ (Gate Construction) standards.