A purpose-built UV light source, such as the FS-9000-LP penlight, provides certainty that a functioning UV light source is being used to field test Reuter-Stokes flame sensors.
Other options such as open flames and flashlights are not as safe or reliable.
Various types of burning torches have been used as UV light sources. The risks of open flames are obvious.
Flashlight technologies vary and often cause false negative results because their UV radiation levels are unknown.