Miles Industries, manufacturer of Valor fireplaces for North America, announced today that it has reached a preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit. That agreement was filed today in United States District Court, Northern District of California.

Miles Industries specializes in the design and manufacture of energy efficient natural gas and propane burning units for fireplace retrofit and home renovations. Their Valor brand products are sold exclusively through North American specialty fireplace retailers.

The lawsuit claimed that Miles Industries failed to adequately warn that the sealed glass front of gas fireplaces can cause serious burns from contact with the glass. Under the agreement, Miles Industries denies consumers are unaware of the risks associated with gas fireplaces and denies any wrongdoing. 

Under the terms of the settlement owners of Valor fireplaces that were purchased from January 2007 to the present are eligible to make a claim for a protective screen. The screen complies with the new CSA/ANSI standard that all gas fireplaces manufacturers will have to meet by 2015.

CEO Martin Miles says his company has always met or exceeded all recognized US and Canadian standards, guidelines and industry practices. These include specific warnings that gas fireplace surfaces, including the glass fronts, become hot during operation and may cause burns if contacted. The parties agreed to resolve this case by settlement to avoid the time and expense associated with resolving the case by trial.

Protective screens have long been an optional choice and 20 per cent of customers have chosen a screen when purchasing a Valor fireplace. Beginning December 31st, 2012, Miles Industries began shipping screens with all of its models. This is two years earlier than required under the new CSA/ANSI standard.

“We actively worked with other manufacturers and stakeholders on a new nationally recognized CSA/ANSI safety standard, including the mandatory protective screens. We are proud of the role we played in initiating and developing the new standard,” says Miles. 

Miles Industries has been in business since 1978 and began selling Valor products in 1982. In 2001, Valor and Miles Industries signed a long-term agreement, granting Miles the right to design, manufacture and sell Valor-branded products for the US and Canada.  Miles Industries is a respected member of the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA).