Injury Caused by Office Chair Explosion

Office chair explosion incidents do exist and have caused serious consequences, mainly due to defects in the gas spring.

I. Typical Cases

1. In 2013, Ms. Liu in Xiamen was using a rotating chair purchased online when the gas spring suddenly exploded, piercing her lower body with a steel rod. It took six hours of emergency surgery to remove the metal fragments.
2. In 2009, a 14-year-old boy in Jiaozhou, Shandong, was adjusting a gas-lift chair when the rod pierced his body, causing fatal injuries to multiple blood vessels despite emergency treatment.
3. Similar explosion incidents also occurred in Zhoushan, Zhejiang in 2007 and in Anhui in 2017, resulting in injuries to people or damage to property.

II. Causes of Explosion

1. Gas Composition Issues: Legitimate gas springs are filled with nitrogen (an inert gas), but some unscrupulous manufacturers use compressed air to cut costs. Oxygen in the air reacts with the metal inner wall, causing rust and increasing the pressure inside the tube, ultimately leading to an explosion.
2. Structural Defects: The gas spring tube is too thin to withstand normal pressure, or it lacks an explosion-proof steel plate, providing no buffer protection during an explosion.
3. Improper Use: Frequent height adjustments cause a sudden increase in the internal temperature of the gas spring, or sudden sitting impacts cause instant pressure changes, increasing the risk of explosion.

III. Preventive Measures

1. Choose Legitimate Products: Prioritize office chairs priced above 200 yuan and avoid low-quality, cheap products. Reputable manufacturers typically use qualified gas springs with clear markings (such as SGS or TUV certifications).
2. Inspect the Gas Spring: Ensure the gas spring has a smooth surface without rust and check if there is an explosion-proof steel plate at the bottom (you can tell by lightly tapping and listening to the sound). Avoid products with no markings or unclear markings.
3. Use Properly: Avoid frequent height adjustments to reduce internal friction and heat generation in the gas spring. Sit gently to avoid sudden impacts that cause pressure changes.

Although office chair explosions are rare, their consequences can be severe. By choosing legitimate products, inspecting key components, and using them properly, the risk can be effectively reduced.