Armco Safety Corners, Fishtail Ends & Pedestrian Safety Ends: Choosing the Right Components

When you are specifying an Armco barrier system, the barrier beam itself is only part of the installation.

Corners, end terminals, posts, fixings and pedestrian-safe finishes all play an important role in creating a system that fits the site correctly and provides the protection required.

For buyers, contractors and facilities teams, the challenge is often straightforward: you already know roughly what you need, but you need to make sure you are ordering the correct components.

This guide covers three commonly specified parts:

• Armco safety corners

• Fishtail safety ends

• Pedestrian safety ends with reflectors

It also explains how the different parts of an Armco barrier system fit together.

What Makes Up an Armco Barrier System?

A typical Armco barrier installation is made up of several components working together.

The main elements normally include:

Armco barrier beams
The corrugated steel rails that form the main protective barrier.

Barrier posts
Vertical supports used to secure the Armco beam at the required height.

Corners and bends
Used where the barrier needs to follow the perimeter of a building, loading bay, walkway or piece of machinery.

End terminals
Installed at the exposed end of a barrier run to provide a finished and safer termination point.

Fixings and connection bolts
Used to connect beams, posts and associated components securely.

The exact configuration will depend on the layout of the site and what the barrier is being installed to protect.

What Is an Armco Safety Corner?

An Armco safety corner allows a barrier run to change direction while maintaining continuous protection.

They are commonly used around:

• Warehouse corners

• Building entrances

• Loading bays

• Machinery

• Service areas

• Car parks

• Traffic routes

Without the correct corner component, installers may struggle to create a clean and secure change of direction between barrier sections.

For procurement teams, it is therefore important to check the angle and configuration required before ordering.

If your site has an unusual layout, BarrierBase can also help with custom configurations rather than forcing a standard component into an unsuitable installation.

What Is a Fishtail Safety End?

A fishtail safety end is one of the most recognisable Armco barrier components.

It attaches to the exposed end of an Armco beam, creating a rounded termination rather than leaving the corrugated steel section unfinished.

Fishtail ends are commonly specified for:

• Industrial estates

• Warehouses

• Car parks

• Service yards

• Factory traffic routes

• Loading areas

They provide a simple, robust way of finishing an Armco barrier run and are particularly useful where the end of the system is visible or exposed.

When should you use a fishtail end?

A fishtail end is typically appropriate where vehicle protection is the primary requirement and the barrier terminates away from heavily used pedestrian routes.

Where employees, visitors or customers regularly pass close to the end of the barrier, a pedestrian safety end may be worth considering instead.

What Is a Pedestrian Safety End?

A pedestrian safety end is designed to provide a more enclosed and clearly visible termination to an Armco barrier system.

These are particularly useful in environments where vehicle and pedestrian routes interact.

Typical locations include:

• Warehouse walkways

• Distribution centres

• Factory entrances

• Loading areas

• Staff car parks

• Pedestrian crossing points

• Shared vehicle and pedestrian routes

A pedestrian safety end can reduce the prominence of an exposed barrier edge while giving the installation a cleaner finished appearance.

Pedestrian Safety Ends With Reflectors

Adding reflectors can improve the visibility of the end of the barrier, particularly in busy industrial environments or areas with lower lighting levels.

Pedestrian safety ends with reflectors can be particularly useful around:

• Forklift routes

• Warehouse aisles

• Loading bays

• Yard entrances

• Car parks

• Night-time operating areas

The reflector helps draw attention to the termination point of the barrier and makes the protection system easier to identify for both drivers and pedestrians.

This is a relatively small component, but it can make a significant difference to the visibility and finish of an installation.

Fishtail End vs Pedestrian Safety End

The right option depends primarily on where the barrier is positioned.

Neither solution is universally correct.

A warehouse perimeter barrier may use standard fishtail ends, while the same installation could use pedestrian safety ends around staff access points.

It is common for a complete barrier system to use several different components depending on the layout.

Planning Your Complete Armco Barrier System

Before ordering components, it helps to map the complete barrier run.

Consider:

• Total barrier length

• Number of posts required

• Number and angle of corners

• Number of exposed ends

• Vehicle routes

• Pedestrian routes

• Doorways and access points

• Machinery or structures being protected

• Ground conditions

• Required fixing method

Taking these into account before placing an order can prevent missing components and unnecessary delays during installation.

For larger projects, providing a drawing, sketch or site plan can make specification significantly easier.

Need a Non-Standard Armco Component?

Not every barrier installation can be completed using standard off-the-shelf parts.

Industrial sites regularly contain unusual corners, restricted spaces, existing structures and site-specific fixing requirements.

BarrierBase can supply custom barrier components and fabricated steelwork for projects where standard products are not suitable.

If you have a drawing, photograph, measurement or specification, send it through our Custom Orders enquiry form and our team can review what you need.

Whether you require a single unusual component or parts for a complete barrier installation, we can help you identify the most appropriate solution.

Buy Armco Barrier Components from BarrierBase

BarrierBase supplies Armco barriers and associated safety components for warehouses, factories, industrial estates, car parks and commercial sites across the UK.

Our range includes:

• Armco barrier beams

• Armco posts

• Armco safety corners

• Fishtail safety ends

• Pedestrian safety ends

• Pedestrian safety ends with reflectors

• Fixings and accessories

• Custom fabricated components

If you already have a parts list, you can order the components you need directly from BarrierBase.

If you are unsure which component fits your installation, or you require something made specifically for your site, submit a Custom Order enquiry and our team will help you specify the right parts.

Built to protect. Priced to lead. Delivered fast.