Explosion of Electric Office Chairs

The explosion of electric office chairs usually refers to the sudden explosion phenomenon of pneumatic lift swivel chairs caused by component defects, often related to low-quality pneumatic rods. The causes, cases, and preventive measures are as follows:

Cause Analysis

1. Quality Issues with Pneumatic Rods
   If the wall of the pneumatic rod is too thin or the material is inferior (such as using ordinary steel instead of high-strength alloy), it will result in insufficient structural strength. If the seal at the end is not tight, it may lead to gas leakage. Some manufacturers, in order to reduce costs, use compressed air instead of inert nitrogen to fill the pneumatic rods. The oxygen in the air accelerates the oxidation of the inner metal wall, making the steel brittle, while the heat generated by daily lifting and lowering friction further increases the internal pressure, which may eventually trigger an explosion.

2. Improper Usage Environment and Operations
   High-temperature environments (such as direct sunlight or proximity to heating sources) accelerate the expansion of the gas inside the pneumatic rod. Frequent lifting and lowering, which cause a sudden increase in temperature, or the presence of tiny cracks or scratches inside the pneumatic rod, can all serve as triggers for an explosion. In addition, violent operations (such as sitting down forcefully or adjusting the height rapidly) may also exacerbate component wear and tear.

Typical Cases

• In 2007, Zhoushan, Zhejiang: An office chair exploded due to quality issues with the pneumatic rod, causing injuries to personnel.
• In 2009, Jiaozhou, Shandong: A 14-year-old boy was killed when the top rod of a pneumatic chair pierced into his body during adjustment.
• In 2013, Fujian: Ms. Liu was sitting on a swivel chair blow-drying her hair when the chair exploded, with a steel pipe penetrating her lower body. Several pieces of metal debris were removed from her abdominal cavity.
• In 2017, Anhui: An office chair explosion damaged a computer case.
• In 2019, Hangzhou: A man was resting at home when his chair suddenly exploded, leaving his leg cut and requiring more than ten stitches.
• In 2022, Shenzhen: An employee in an office building lowered the chair, and the bottom suddenly bulged. Fortunately, no serious injuries were caused.

Preventive Measures

1. Choose Genuine Products: Give priority to pneumatic rods priced over 200 yuan with formal certifications (such as SGS, TUV) and avoid purchasing "three-no" products.
2. Check for Explosion-Proof Design: Ensure that the pneumatic rod lifts and lowers smoothly. Install an explosion-proof steel plate with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters between the seat cushion and the pneumatic rod to cushion the impact of an explosion.
3. Standardize Usage Operations: Avoid violent height adjustments or sitting down forcefully. Do not disassemble the pneumatic rod without authorization. Keep away from high-temperature environments and prevent direct sunlight or proximity to heat sources.
4. Replace Potentially Hazardous Components Promptly: If the chair makes hissing sounds, wobbles unsteadily, or has lifting and lowering issues, stop using it immediately and replace it with a new chair.