Exploding Office Chair

An exploding office chair mainly refers to the sudden explosion phenomenon of pneumatic lift swivel chairs caused by component defects, which mostly occurs in low-quality pneumatic rod products.

Causes of Explosions

1. Design Defects in Pneumatic Rods:

   • The tube wall of the pneumatic rod is too thin to withstand internal pressure, making it prone to rupture after long-term use.
   • The purity of the inert gas is insufficient or it is replaced by compressed air. Regular products are filled with nitrogen, which can withstand thousands of kilograms of pressure; while the oxygen in compressed air can corrode the metal inner wall, making the steel brittle.
   • Frequent lifting and lowering generate friction and heat, causing a sudden increase in internal pressure. Especially when exposed to the sun in summer or when sitting down suddenly, the pressure may exceed the critical value.

2. Lack of Safety Devices:

   • No explosion-proof steel plate (with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters) is installed, making it unable to block the fragments flying out when the pneumatic rod explodes.
   • The high- and low-temperature resistance of the pneumatic rod does not meet the standards, and it is prone to failure under extreme temperatures.

Typical Cases

• In 2007, Zhoushan, Zhejiang: A seat explosion caused injuries to people.
• In 2009, Jiaozhou, Shandong: A 14-year-old boy was killed when a top rod pierced into his body while adjusting a pneumatic chair.
• In 2013, Fujian: Ms. Liu was sitting on a swivel chair to blow-dry her hair when the chair exploded, and a steel tube pierced through her lower body.
• In 2017, Anhui: An office chair explosion damaged a computer case.
• In 2020, a market inspection: Some staff chairs produced by enterprises had explosion risks, with a non-compliance rate of 23.3%.

Preventive Measures

1. Choose Regular Products:

   • Give priority to products priced above 200 yuan and avoid low-priced and inferior products.
   • Check whether the lifting and lowering of the pneumatic rod are smooth without jamming or abnormal noises.
   • Confirm that an explosion-proof steel plate with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters is installed between the seat cushion and the pneumatic rod.

2. Look for Safety Certifications:

   • When purchasing, check whether the product has passed relevant national safety certifications (such as GB/T 38733-2020 'Office Furniture - Office Chairs').

3. Proper Use and Maintenance:

   • Avoid violent operations (such as sitting down hard, frequent rotation, or lifting and lowering).
   • Do not disassemble the pneumatic rod without authorization to prevent damage to the internal structure.
   • When not in use for a long time, adjust the chair to the lowest position to reduce the pressure on the pneumatic rod.