Armco Fishtail Safety End

Product Details

A visible, vehicle-friendly termination for Armco barrier runs

The end of an Armco barrier run is one of the most vulnerable points on any site. Exposed steel rail ends present a risk to vehicles on contact and to pedestrians passing nearby. The Armco Fishtail Safety End addresses both. It covers the exposed Armco rail end with a flexible polymer profile that is visible, impact-friendly and safe for all users of the site.

The fishtail shape is distinctive. It extends beyond the width of the standard rail, making the barrier termination point clearly visible to approaching drivers from a greater distance. That additional visual presence at the end of the run is what makes this accessory the preferred choice for high-traffic vehicle areas where driver awareness at barrier ends is critical.

Flexible LLDPE construction

The Fishtail Safety End uses linear low-density polyethylene. LLDPE flexes under impact rather than buckling or fracturing. This means vehicle contact at the barrier end causes little to no damage to the vehicle itself. It also means the end continues to provide a safe termination after routine contact without requiring immediate replacement. That flexibility is the key difference between a polymer fishtail end and a steel equivalent, which would buckle and present a new hazard on contact.

The colour-fast UV stable polymer formula ensures the finish does not fade in indoor or outdoor environments. Both colour options carry two 40mm diamond grade reflectors for maximum visibility in low-light conditions and at night.

Colour options and visibility

Two colour options are available, each suited to a different operational context. Yellow with silver diamond grade reflectors suits HGV parks, busy service yards and industrial environments where high-contrast visibility for large vehicle operators is the priority. Black with yellow diamond grade reflectors suits domestic car parks and front-of-house areas where a more considered aesthetic is preferred alongside the safety function.

Both options provide the same level of impact flexibility and barrier termination safety. The choice between them depends on the environment and the vehicle types operating at the location.

Installation and compatibility

The Fishtail Safety End retrofits directly to all standard steel Armco end terminals. It suits 310mm x 85mm corrugated Armco rails and stands at 320mm high to align with the standard Armco rail profile. Each end fixes using 4x M16 x 35mm galvanised bolt set to suit pre-holed Armco rail. Please note the bolt set is not included and should be ordered separately.

Installation is quick. The polymer moulding fits over the rail end and bolts securely in place without specialist tools. This keeps fitting time to a minimum and allows the end to be retrofitted to any existing Armco installation without disruption to operations.

Where the Armco Fishtail Safety End is specified

The Fishtail Safety End suits any Armco barrier installation in a vehicle-facing environment where the barrier run end needs to be clearly visible and vehicle-friendly on contact. Typical applications include HGV service yards and loading bays, warehouse perimeter Armco runs, busy forklift operating zones, domestic car parks and retail or commercial front-of-house environments where vehicles approach barrier ends regularly.

For barrier runs in areas with high pedestrian traffic alongside vehicles, the Armco Pedestrian Safety End provides a smoother, pedestrian-specific termination profile. For barrier runs requiring a simpler, lower-cost end cap, the Armco Safety End and Armco End provide alternative options.

Supporting compliance and duty of care

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must maintain workplace infrastructure in a condition that does not place people or vehicles at unnecessary risk. Exposed, unprotected Armco rail ends represent exactly this kind of foreseeable and avoidable hazard. Fitting a polymer safety end is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to address it.

The Armco Fishtail Safety End provides a documented accessory-level control measure at every barrier run termination point. For facilities managers, H&S managers and specifiers, fitting appropriate safety ends across all Armco installations demonstrates a thorough and proactive approach to infrastructure safety. The result is a safer, more visible barrier system across the full site.