Which type of gas appliance must have devices to shut off gas flow if the pilot flame goes out?

Gas-fired heating appliances must have safety devices in place to shut off the gas flow if the pilot flame goes out. This is an important safety feature designed to prevent the accumulation of gas in the event that the flame is extinguished, which could lead to a dangerous situation, such as a gas leak or potential explosion.

These devices are typically known as thermocouples or flame supervision devices. They detect whether the pilot light is lit; if it goes out for any reason, these devices will automatically close the gas valve to stop the flow of gas. This is crucial for maintaining safety in residential and commercial environments where these types of appliances are used.

In contrast, electric appliances do not use gas and thus do not require such safety mechanisms. Cooking appliances may or may not have similar features depending on their design, but they are not universally required to have this safety measure. Outdoor grills might have some safety features, but the requirement for automatic shut-off devices specifically pertains to gas-fired heating appliances.