Office Chair Breakage Causing Injury

The issue of office chairs breaking and causing injuries mainly involves the explosion of pneumatic lifting swivel chairs, with the core reason being the substandard quality of the pneumatic rods. Prevention requires attention to selection, inspection, and usage.

Pneumatic lifting swivel chairs have become mainstream office furniture since around 2000. Their core component is the pneumatic rod (gas spring), which achieves lifting and lowering functions by filling with inert gas and utilizing pressure differences. However, a 2020 inspection by the State Administration for Market Regulation revealed that 23.3% of office chairs were unqualified, with 17 batches being swivel chairs. The main issues were the pneumatic rods' failure to meet high- and low-temperature resistance standards and the lack of explosion-proof steel plates. These defects can lead to abnormal internal pressure in the pneumatic rods, triggering explosions under high temperatures, frequent adjustments, or external impacts, resulting in personal injuries or property damage.

Explosion Cases and Hazards
Several serious accidents have occurred in history: In 2007, a chair explosion in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, caused injuries; in 2009, a 14-year-old boy in Jiaozhou, Shandong, was fatally impaled by a lifting rod while adjusting a pneumatic chair; in 2017, an office chair explosion in Anhui damaged a computer case. These cases demonstrate that substandard pneumatic rods can not only directly harm the human body but also cause secondary injuries due to flying debris.

Root Causes and Industry Chaos
The root cause of swivel chair explosions lies in the substandard quality of pneumatic rods. Some companies cut costs by skimping on key components, such as using low-strength steel, reducing the thickness of explosion-proof steel plates (national standards require ≥2 mm), or filling with non-inert gases. These practices reduce the pressure and temperature resistance of the pneumatic rods, making them prone to breakage in high-temperature environments or during frequent lifting and lowering.

Preventive Measures

1. Select genuine products: Prioritize swivel chairs priced above 200 yuan that have passed national safety certifications (such as GB/T 3883.202-2019) and avoid purchasing "three-no" products.
2. Inspect pneumatic rod performance: Observe whether the lifting and lowering are smooth without stuttering or abnormal noises when adjusting the seat; gently press the seat to feel if the rebound force of the pneumatic rod is uniform.
3. Confirm the presence of explosion-proof steel plates: Check whether there is an explosion-proof steel plate with a thickness of ≥2 mm at the connection between the seat cushion and the pneumatic rod. This component can block fragments from the pneumatic rod from penetrating the seat.
4. Avoid high-temperature environments: Do not place the swivel chair in direct sunlight or near heating sources for extended periods to prevent gas expansion inside the pneumatic rod.
5. Regular maintenance: Inspect the airtightness of the pneumatic rod every six months. If air leakage, deformation, or difficulty in lifting and lowering are detected, stop using it immediately and contact after-sales service.