For a complaint that the pilot will not stay lit, which step should you take first on an electric safety valve?

In addressing a complaint about a pilot light that will not stay lit, the first step of verifying the incoming gas pressure is essential. Ensuring that there is adequate gas pressure is crucial because insufficient pressure can prevent the pilot from receiving enough fuel to stay lit. Commercial gas appliances rely on proper gas flow to maintain functionality, and any disruption in this flow could lead to pilot failure.

By checking the gas pressure first, you can eliminate one of the fundamental causes of the issue. If the pressure is within the required specifications, you can then investigate other potential problems without wasting time on unnecessary troubleshooting steps. For example, while checking the thermocouple output or blowing out the pilot might also be relevant, those actions would be less effective or even irrelevant if the gas supply itself is not stable or sufficient. Proper gas pressure is foundational to the operation of gas valves, and without it, no further steps will resolve the issue effectively.