In 2007 MineARC Systems was approached by leading international coal mining companies and industry safety advisors to develop an intrinsically safe (non-electrically powered), self rescue change-over station, capable of sustaining life for up to 100hrs as a stand-alone unit. After two years of research, development and live testing, MineARC perfected its coal refuge design: The CoalSAFE (Safe Area For Evacuation).

Through innovative design, the CoalSAFE is currently the only refuge model on the market to incorporate both a powerless carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide (CO2/CO) scrubber as well as an intrinsically safe air conditioning system (refrigerant R744). This standalone unit, dubbed The MARCis™ (MineARC Air Refuge Chamber - Intrinsically Safe), runs on liquid CO2, and is the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

The CoalSAFE is manufactured and tested to the highest industry regulations and guidelines: Approved by the West Virginian Office of Miners Health and Safety and currently the only refuge model in the world built to United States Mine Safety & Health Authority (MSHA) 'Final Rule' 2009 (30CFR §7.503). The CoalSAFE is currently undergoing testing to obtain Chinese MA Certification, expected early 2010.

Virtually all aspects of the CoalSAFE 12 person model (CS 12) can be custom designed and manufactured to client specifications, including; standard dimensions and special transport configurations. Pictures below feature a range of both 'high seam' and 'low seam' models.