Which of the following is NOT a required protection for a water heater?

Flame protection is not a required protection feature for a water heater. Water heaters are typically equipped with safeguards like overtemperature, overpressure, and leakage protection to ensure safe operation and prevent potential hazards.

Overtemperature protection is crucial because it helps prevent the water from reaching excessively high temperatures, which can lead to dangerous pressure build-up or even explosions. Overpressure protection is important for safeguarding against excessive pressure within the tank, which could result in ruptures or leaks. Leakage protection addresses the risk of water leaking from the unit, which can cause damage to property or create unsafe conditions.

While flame protection is critical in other appliances, such as gas-fired furnaces or ovens, it is not specifically mandated for water heaters because they are designed to operate with inherent safety measures and typically are not exposed to conditions where flame protection would be necessary. Thus, this particular feature is not deemed essential for the standard safety requirements of water heaters.