Office Chair Swivel Chair Explosion

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

Explosion Causes

1. Gas Filling Issues: Regular pneumatic rods are filled with inert nitrogen, which is stable and can withstand pressures of thousands of kilograms. However, low-quality products may use compressed air instead. The oxygen in the air can erode the metal inner walls, making the steel brittle.
2. Heat Accumulation: The heat generated by daily lifting and lowering friction causes the internal pressure to rise steadily. In situations such as exposure to the sun in summer, sudden sitting, or the presence of tiny cracks inside, the pressure may exceed the critical value, triggering an explosion.
3. Component Defects: If the pneumatic rod does not meet the high and low-temperature resistance standards or if no explosion-proof steel plate is installed, the safety of the swivel chair is reduced, increasing the risk of explosion.

Typical Cases

1. In 2007, a chair explosion occurred in Zhoushan, Zhejiang.
2. In 2009, a 14-year-old boy in Jiaozhou, Shandong, died after a top rod from an adjustable pneumatic chair pierced his body.
3. In 2013, while Ms. Liu was sitting on an online-purchased lifting swivel chair to blow-dry her hair, a steel rod with a diameter of 3 centimeters shot up through her body like a cannonball. Doctors removed more than ten metal fragments from her abdomen and intestines.
4. In 2017, an office chair explosion in Anhui damaged a computer case.

Preventive Measures

1. Choose Regular Products: Select swivel chairs produced by regular manufacturers. It is recommended to choose products priced above 200 yuan to avoid purchasing low-quality and low-priced products.
2. Check the Pneumatic Rod: Ensure that the pneumatic rod lifts and lowers smoothly without any stuttering or abnormal noises.
3. Confirm the Explosion-Proof Steel Plate: Check whether an explosion-proof steel plate with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters is installed between the seat cushion and the pneumatic rod to provide additional protection.
4. Pay Attention to Inspection Results: Refer to the inspection information from the State Administration for Market Regulation to avoid purchasing unqualified products. In 2020, the unqualified rate of office chairs reached 23.3%, with 17 batches being swivel chairs. The main problems were that the pneumatic rods did not meet the high and low-temperature resistance standards and that no explosion-proof steel plates were installed.