Miles Industries, manufacturer of Valor fireplaces for North America, has reached a preliminary settlement in a class action. That agreement was filed in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, in August 2013. Miles Industries specializes in the design and manufacture of energy-efficient naturalgas– burning and propane-burning units for fireplace retrofitting and home renovations. Its Valor brand products are sold exclusively through North American specialty fireplace retailers.

The lawsuit claimed that Miles Industries failed to warn adequately that the sealed glass front of gas fireplaces can cause serious burns from contact with the glass. Under the agreement, Miles Industries denies that 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-fireplace manufacturers will have to meet by 2015.

CEO Martin Miles says that his company has always met or exceeded all recognized U.S. 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% of customers have chosen a screen when purchasing a Valor fireplace. Beginning December 31, 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,” Miles says.

Miles Industries has been in business since 1978, and it 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 Valorbranded products for the United States and Canada. Miles Industries is a respected member of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.