Aluminium Security Shutters: Certified Protection for Commercial, Industrial and High-Security Environments
Aluminium security shutters are not a category defined by material alone. The difference between a standard commercial shutter and a high-security shutter lies in the engineering of the slat profile, the locking mechanism, the resistance of the guide system, and whether the complete assembly has been tested and certified against a defined attack method. A shutter described as “reinforced” without certification documentation provides deterrence. A shutter certified to RC3, RC4 or higher under EN 1627 provides a tested and measurable level of resistance.
CBX manufactures aluminium security shutters across four product lines, each covering a different risk profile — from commercial intrusion resistance to combined ballistic, fire, and blast protection for critical infrastructure.
How security shutters work
The core mechanism that differentiates a security shutter from a standard one is the self-locking slat system. When the shutter closes, the slat geometry activates an interlocking mechanism that prevents the curtain from being lifted from the outside. This functions independently of the motorisation system, meaning the security function is maintained even in manual operation.
The slats are manufactured from high-density extruded aluminium alloy including titanium, forming a double-wall profile. The guides are reinforced structural profiles with nylon inserts that minimise friction and eliminate the need for lubrication while maintaining the lateral resistance that prevents the curtain from being forced out of the track — one of the most common attack methods on conventional shutters.
Product lines and certified protection levels
Securbaix is the entry-level high-security range, designed for commercial premises, retail, and industrial facilities where intrusion resistance is the primary requirement. The standard Securbaix model is certified RC3 under EN 1627, and the Securbaix BL reaches RC4. Both carry Class 2 wind resistance under EN 12424. The Securbaix BL Vision and BL Vision XL variants maintain RC4 certification while incorporating a vision panel, allowing partial visibility of the interior when closed — the relevant specification for commercial premises where the display remains part of the security strategy outside trading hours.
Epsilon is the industrial-grade range, built for large-format openings requiring vehicle and machinery access. It is available in multiple configurations depending on the threat profile of the installation. The Epsilon RC covers burglary resistance from RC2 to RC4. The Epsilon BL adds ballistic resistance at FB1 and FB2 under EN 1522, with equivalent NIJ Level 1 and UL Level 1 certifications. The Epsilon Fire provides fire resistance from E30 to E240 under EN 1634. The Epsilon MAX combines all three — RC2 to RC4 intrusion resistance, FB1–FB2 ballistic resistance, and E30 to E240 fire resistance — in a single system with Class 5 wind resistance under EN 12424, the highest available level. For data centres, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure where fire containment and physical security must coexist, the Epsilon MAX is the relevant specification.
Diamond BL is the high-security shutter for environments where the threat profile goes beyond professional burglary. It is certified FB4-S under EN 1522 — resistance to high-calibre handgun ammunition — and RC5 under EN 1627, with Class 3 wind resistance. This is the standard specification for banks, jewellers, and high-value retail where ballistic resistance is a contractual or regulatory requirement.
Diamond BL X-Treme reaches FB6-NS under EN 1522 — resistance to assault rifle ammunition including AK-47 7.62mm — and RC6 under EN 1627, the highest available intrusion resistance class. For embassies, military facilities, and government buildings requiring the maximum available certified protection in a rolling shutter format, this is the relevant product. The X-Treme Blast variant adds EXR5-NS explosion resistance under EN 13123-2:2004, the only rolling shutter in the world with this certification. The X-Treme MAX combines FB6-NS ballistic, RC6 intrusion, EXR5-NS blast, E60 fire resistance, and Class 5 wind resistance in a single certified assembly.
Finishes and integration
All CBX security shutters are available in the full RAL colour range, anodised, or in high-resistance anodised finishes. The standard finish for Diamond series models includes an anti-spall, anti-Molotov cocktail surface treatment. Motorisation options include single-phase and three-phase tubular or lateral motors, calculated for the specific weight and dimensions of each installation. All motor configurations maintain the certified protection level of the shutter.
The systems integrate with electronic access control, alarm systems, and building management platforms, allowing remote operation, scheduled access, and emergency closure triggered by external systems.
Selecting the correct product
The right specification depends on the realistic threat profile of the installation, not on the maximum available protection level. A commercial jeweller in a city centre and an embassy perimeter have different requirements, different budgets, and different regulatory contexts. CBX works with architects, security consultants, and facility managers during the specification phase to define the correct product for each opening, ensure the installation maintains the certified performance of the tested assembly, and provide full certification documentation for projects that require it.