Office Chair Cylinder Explosion

The office chair cylinder poses a risk of explosion, which is extremely dangerous and requires high attention as a safety hazard.

Causes of Explosion

• Gas Issues in the Pneumatic Rod: The qualified pneumatic rods from reputable manufacturers are filled with high-purity inert nitrogen, which is stable and safe to control. However, inferior pneumatic rods may be mixed with oxygen or even directly filled with air. The oxygen in the air becomes active under high pressure and undergoes an oxidation reaction with the metal inner wall, continuously rusting and accumulating heat. This turns the pneumatic rod into a sealed, continuously pressurized pressure cooker, with the internal pressure soaring and the external tube wall becoming thinner and more brittle.
• Tube Wall Material Issues: The tube walls of inferior pneumatic rods are too thin, and the steel quality is poor. Under long-term pressure, metal fatigue occurs, further reducing the pressure-bearing capacity of the cylinder and increasing the likelihood of explosion.

Hazards of Explosion

Once the cylinder explodes, the impact force is extremely high, enough to directly penetrate the entire chair surface. For example, in 2013, when Ms. Liu was sitting on an online-purchased adjustable swivel chair to blow-dry her hair, the cylinder exploded. A steel rod with a diameter of 3 centimeters shot up like a cannonball from below, instantly penetrating her body and entering the abdominal cavity. More than ten metal fragments were removed from her abdominal cavity and intestines. Over the past decade, there have been more than forty similar tragedies in China where the pneumatic rods of such seats exploded from the bottom and penetrated the human body.

Preventive Measures

To avoid the hazards caused by the explosion of office chair cylinders, consumers should choose products from reputable manufacturers when purchasing office chairs and check whether the products have relevant quality certification marks. During use, avoid excessive squeezing or colliding with the office chair. Regularly inspect the cylinder and related components of the office chair for any abnormalities. If problems such as air leakage, rusting, or deformation of the pneumatic rod are found, stop using it immediately and contact professionals for repair or replacement.