Office Chair Accident

An office chair accident mainly refers to the explosion problem caused by the failure of the gas spring in a pneumatic lifting swivel chair, which may result in personal injury or property damage.

Accident Cases

1. Severe Personal Injuries: In 2007, in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, the pneumatic chair used by Ms. Lou exploded, piercing the seat and embedding fragments up to 10 centimeters into her body. In 2009, in Jiaozhou, Shandong, a 14-year-old boy was fatally impaled by a rod while adjusting a pneumatic chair; three accidents involving the same chair model occurred within a month.
2. Property Damage: In 2017, an office chair explosion in Anhui damaged a computer case. In 2008, in Ganzhou, Jiangxi, an office chair explosion sent a 15-centimeter-long iron rod flying to the ceiling, injuring the user's back and hands.
3. Near-Miss Incidents: Recently, a netizen reported that a colleague's chair exploded, causing no injuries but damaging a computer case and revealing potential risks.

Causes of Accidents

1. Gas Spring Quality Issues:
   • The tube wall is too thin or the material is poor, unable to withstand internal pressure.
   • The purity of the inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) is insufficient or replaced by compressed air, making it prone to explosion under high temperatures or frequent friction.
   • The seal at the end is not tight, leading to gas leakage or sudden release.
2. Design Flaws:
   • Lack of an explosion-proof steel plate (with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters) to cushion the impact of an explosion.
   • Inadequate resistance to high and low temperatures, causing the gas spring structure to fail under extreme conditions.
3. Improper Use:
   • Frequent lifting and lowering cause a sudden increase in temperature, accelerating the aging of the gas spring.
   • Sitting forcefully, sliding, or placing the chair near heat sources (e.g., stoves) increases the risk of explosion.

Preventive Measures

1. Purchase Specifications:
   • Choose products from reputable manufacturers, preferably priced above 200 yuan, and check the smoothness of the gas spring's lifting and lowering.
   • Ensure that an explosion-proof steel plate (with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters) is installed between the seat cushion and the gas spring.
2. Usage Precautions:
   • Avoid repeatedly lifting and lowering, sitting forcefully, or sliding the chair.
   • Keep the chair away from high-temperature environments and do not disassemble the cylinder unless you are a professional.
3. Regular Maintenance:
   • Have the chair inspected by a professional after a period of use and replace it promptly if cracks or looseness are found.
   • Do not purchase inferior products for the sake of saving money, as the risk of explosion from inferior gas springs is significantly higher.