Office Chair Rotation Explosion

Office chair rotation explosion mainly refers to the sudden explosion phenomenon of pneumatic lifting swivel chairs caused by component defects, which mostly occurs in low-quality pneumatic rod products.

Causes

• Thin tube wall of the pneumatic rod: To reduce costs, low-quality pneumatic rods may use materials with overly thin tube walls, which are prone to rupture under internal pressure.
• Insufficient purity of inert gas or replacement with compressed air: Normal pneumatic rods should be filled with inert gases (such as nitrogen). If the purity is insufficient or replaced with compressed air, the oxygen in the air will react with the metal inner wall through oxidation, making the steel brittle. At the same time, the heat generated by daily lifting friction will cause the internal pressure to rise, increasing the risk of explosion.
• Frequent lifting leading to a sudden temperature increase: Frequent operation of the pneumatic rod will cause the internal gas temperature to rise rapidly and the pressure to increase. If the quality of the pneumatic rod is poor, it may trigger an explosion.

Hazards

Such explosions are extremely powerful and can cause serious personal injuries. For example, in 2013, Ms. Liu in Fujian Province was sitting on a swivel chair and blow-drying her hair when the chair suddenly exploded without warning. A steel tube with a diameter of about two centimeters (some say three centimeters) shot out like a projectile, piercing her lower body, and blood splattered all over the floor. Doctors removed various fragments from her abdomen, with several pieces of metal debris remaining in her intestines alone. Over the past few decades, more than 40 similar tragedies have occurred in China, each accompanied by excruciating pain and irreparable trauma.

Preventive Measures

• Purchase products from reputable manufacturers: It is advisable to choose products priced above 200 yuan and avoid buying office chairs with low-quality pneumatic rods.
• Check the smoothness of the pneumatic rod's lifting: Ensure that the pneumatic rod lifts smoothly without any stuttering or abnormal noises.
• Ensure the installation of explosion-proof steel plates: An explosion-proof steel plate with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters should be installed between the seat cushion and the pneumatic rod to reduce the risk of fragment splattering during an explosion.
• Avoid violent operation: Do not operate the pneumatic rod violently during use, and never disassemble it without authorization to avoid damaging components or triggering dangers.

According to a sampling inspection by the State Administration for Market Regulation, the unqualified rate of office chairs reached 23.3% in 2020, with 17 batches being swivel chairs. The main problems were concentrated on the substandard high- and low-temperature resistance performance of the pneumatic rods and the lack of explosion-proof steel plates. Therefore, consumers need to be particularly cautious when purchasing and using office chairs.