Armco Fishtail Safety End - Armco Safety Barrier Accessories

The Armco Fishtail Safety End is designed to provide a safe and highly visible termination for steel Armco safety barriers used in industrial yards, logistics centres, loading bays and traffic management areas. When Armco barriers are cut to length during installation, the exposed corrugated rail end can present a sharp steel edge that may cause injury to pedestrians or damage to vehicles. The polymer fishtail safety end provides a protective cover that safely terminates the barrier while improving visibility for drivers and site personnel.

Manufactured in the UK from UV stabilised linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), the fishtail safety end is engineered to fit standard 310 mm x 85 mm corrugated Armco barrier rails. The unit bolts directly to pre-holed barrier sections, providing a quick retrofit solution for both new installations and existing Armco barrier systems.

Unlike traditional rigid steel fishtail ends, the polymer construction provides controlled flexibility during impact, helping reduce the risk of vehicle damage during low speed contact. This flexible design also helps prevent the buckling that can occur when steel terminations are struck by vehicles or material handling equipment.

Improved Visibility and Safer Barrier Termination

Armco barriers are widely used to protect infrastructure, segregate traffic routes and guide vehicles around warehouses, service yards and industrial facilities. However, the termination points of barrier runs are often the most vulnerable locations for accidental vehicle contact. The Armco Fishtail Safety End helps address this risk by improving both safety and visibility at the barrier termination point.

The unit incorporates diamond grade reflective markers that enhance visibility in low light environments, particularly in yards and service areas where HGV drivers, forklift operators and site vehicles are operating. These reflective markers help drivers identify the end of a barrier run earlier, improving awareness and reducing the likelihood of accidental contact.

Two colour options are available to suit different operational environments:

Yellow with silver diamond grade reflectors

• Commonly used in industrial yards, loading areas and HGV traffic routes where high visibility is essential.

Black with yellow diamond grade reflectors

• Often used in front-of-house environments, car parks and domestic vehicle areas where a less industrial appearance is preferred.

The contrasting colours and reflective surfaces help clearly highlight barrier terminations for drivers approaching from multiple angles.

Flexible Polymer Construction

The Armco Fishtail Safety End is manufactured from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), a durable polymer commonly used in industrial safety equipment due to its strength, resilience and flexibility.

This polymer construction offers several advantages over rigid steel fishtail ends:

Flexible under impact

• The polymer construction allows the safety end to flex slightly during vehicle contact, reducing the risk of damage to vehicle bodywork.

Reduced barrier damage

• Flexibility helps absorb minor impacts and reduces the likelihood of permanent deformation often associated with steel barrier terminations.

UV stabilised formulation

• The polymer material contains a colour fast UV package to maintain visibility and durability in outdoor environments.

Low maintenance performance

• Unlike painted steel components, the moulded polymer does not require repainting or regular corrosion maintenance.

These characteristics make the Armco Fishtail Safety End particularly suitable for environments where vehicles frequently manoeuvre near barrier runs.

Installation and Retrofit Compatibility

The fishtail safety end has been designed for simple installation and retrofit compatibility with existing Armco systems.

The unit is engineered to suit standard 310 mm x 85 mm Armco corrugated rails, allowing it to be installed at the end of most steel barrier runs without requiring modification.

Installation is completed using a four point bolt fixing system that secures the fishtail end directly to the Armco rail.

Fixing method

• 4 x M16 x 35 mm galvanised bolt sets
• Designed to suit pre-holed Armco rail sections
• Simple bolt-on installation process

This straightforward installation allows safety ends to be fitted quickly during barrier installation or added later as part of a safety upgrade to an existing Armco system.

Material and Technical Specification

Material

• Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)

Polymer formulation

• UV stabilised colour fast polymer package

Height

• 320 mm to suit 310 mm x 85 mm Armco corrugated rail

Reflectors

• 2 x 40 mm diamond grade reflective markers

Fixings

• 4 x M16 x 35 mm galvanised bolt set (not included)

Manufacturing

• Manufactured in the UK

Colour options

• Yellow with silver diamond grade reflectors
• Black with yellow diamond grade reflectors

Operational Benefits

The Armco Fishtail Safety End provides a number of practical benefits when used with standard Armco safety barrier systems.

Improves safety at barrier termination points

• Covers exposed steel edges and reduces the risk of injury.

Enhances visibility for drivers and operators

• Reflective markers highlight the end of barrier runs in low light environments.

Flexible impact behaviour

• Polymer construction reduces vehicle damage during minor impacts.

Retrofit compatible

• Designed to suit standard Armco rails for easy installation.

Low maintenance performance

• Polymer construction eliminates corrosion and repainting requirements.

Industrial durability

• UV stabilised polymer provides long term outdoor performance.

Typical Applications

The Armco Fishtail Safety End is commonly installed in areas where Armco barriers are used to manage traffic routes and protect infrastructure.

Typical environments include:

• Warehouse service yards
• Logistics depots
• Distribution centre traffic routes
• Industrial service roads
• Loading bay approaches
• Forklift operating zones
• Vehicle parking areas
• Factory perimeter protection
• Commercial car parks

In these environments the fishtail safety end improves both driver awareness and barrier safety, helping protect pedestrians, vehicles and infrastructure.

Summary

The Armco Fishtail Safety End provides a practical and effective solution for safely terminating steel Armco barrier runs. Manufactured from durable UV stabilised LLDPE polymer, the unit combines high visibility, flexible impact behaviour and simple installation to enhance safety in busy industrial environments.

With reflective markers for improved visibility and full compatibility with standard 310 mm x 85 mm Armco rails, the fishtail safety end provides a durable and low maintenance upgrade to traditional steel barrier terminations, helping protect both vehicles and personnel in warehouse, logistics and service yard environments.