Have you seen the news about the explosion of office chairs? The main cause of explosions in all office chairs is the gas cylinder at the bottom. Although the explosion of office chairs is a small probability event, for the sake of our healthy life, we need to know how to avoid buying inferior office chairs. This guide will help you choose the right office chair and avoid office chair explosions.
The main contents of this article are:
Is It True That Office Chairs Can Explode?
Yes, it is true that office chairs can explode, but it’s extremely rare. The risk is primarily associated with the gas lift mechanism found in many modern office chairs, which allows for height adjustment. This mechanism relies on a pressurized gas cylinder, typically filled with nitrogen, to function.
Real Examples of Office Chair Explosions
There have been a few reported incidents of office chair explosions. Here are some notable cases:
1. 2008: A 65-year-old man was injured when a steel rod from an exploding chair was ejected into his body (Officergonomic).
2. 2009: A 14-year-old boy in Shandong province was tragically killed when his office chair exploded. The gas cylinder malfunctioned, sending metal fragments into his body, leading to fatal injuries (Officergonomic).
3. 2013: A 24-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after her office chair exploded while she was sitting on it. Doctors had to remove several steel fragments from her body during surgery (Officergonomic).
These incidents are linked to the failure of gas cylinders in office chairs, which are usually pressurized with gas to adjust the height. When these cylinders fail, often due to manufacturing defects or misuse, they can potentially cause serious harm (TechSynchron-Tech Hub).
The Main Reason for the Explosion of Office Chairs
The reason why the office chair exploded was because there was a gas bottle installed at the bottom of the chair. The function of this gas bottle is to adjust the height of the seat. However, some unscrupulous businesses use cheap or substandard gas cylinders, which directly cause office chairs to explode.
1. Faulty manufacturing or design flaws
Office chair explosions can occur due to manufacturing defects or design flaws that compromise the structural integrity of the chair. These defects may include substandard materials, inadequate assembly, or improper engineering, making the chair more susceptible to failure.
2. Misuse or abuse of the chair
Improper usage or intentional abuse of office chairs can significantly increase the risk of an explosion. Actions such as rough handling, jumping or standing on the chair, or using it in ways it was not intended for can stress the chair's components and lead to failure.
3. Overloading the chair beyond its weight capacity
Exceeding the weight capacity specified by the manufacturer can strain the chair's frame, legs, and other components beyond their intended limits. Over time, this excessive stress can weaken the chair and potentially lead to a catastrophic failure.
4. Overheating of materials due to external heat sources
Placing office chairs near heat sources, such as space heaters or radiators, can expose the materials to high temperatures. This can cause melting, deformation, or degradation of the chair's components, increasing the risk of an explosion or structural failure.
What Are the Hazards of Exploding Office Chairs?
The hazards of exploding office chairs, while rare, can be severe and even fatal. These hazards stem from the gas cylinder used in many office chairs, which operates under high pressure to allow height adjustments. When this cylinder fails, it can lead to a sudden and violent explosion. Here are some key hazards associated with such incidents:
1. Physical Injury
Shrapnel and Debris: When an office chair explodes, metal fragments from the cylinder can be ejected at high speed. These fragments can cause deep cuts, puncture wounds, or even impalement.
Blunt Force Trauma: The explosion can also throw the person sitting on the chair off balance, leading to falls that may cause head injuries, broken bones, or other blunt force trauma.
2. Fatalities
In the most extreme cases, such as incidents reported in China, the injuries caused by an exploding office chair can be fatal. The force of the explosion, combined with the sharp metal fragments, can result in deadly internal injuries.
3. Property Damage
The explosion can damage nearby furniture, equipment, or walls, creating additional risks for those in the vicinity. Flying debris can also pose a danger to others nearby.
4. Psychological Impact
Experiencing or witnessing such a sudden and violent event can lead to lasting psychological trauma, including anxiety and fear related to using office chairs in the future.
How to Avoid Office Chair Gas Cylinder Explosion?
If you have recently considered purchasing a computer chair or office chair, or you are not sure if the chair in your home or office is safe, I will provide you with the latest ways to ensure your personal safety.
Choose a high-quality lift office chair
Choice is important. If you choose high quality at the beginning, it will not be easy for office chairs to explode.
1. Choose to buy from a reputable manufacturer
When purchasing this kind of office chair with lifting function, be sure to choose products produced by reputable manufacturers. A manufacturer that has been in business for a long time and has strict safety and quality standards will not have any accidental explosions. Also, do plenty of research and don’t forget to check customer reviews and ratings before buying.
Don't buy products without exact production dates and qualifications. Otherwise, not only the quality cannot be guaranteed, but also rights protection may not be possible when problems arise.
When purchasing, consumers should check whether the product has a certificate of conformity, a registered trademark, the name and address of the manufacturer, etc.
2. Choose a gas lift chair with an inspection report
Lift office chairs sold by regular manufacturers will issue an "inspection report". The cylinder of the lift chair is made of steel and high-purity gas, which has a certain risk factor. What's more, the gas is tightly sealed. The top of the cylinder is also printed with a mark verified by relevant national departments. Manufacturer, cylinder type and comments are written in English. Under normal circumstances, if the lift chair uses inferior gas cylinders produced by informal manufacturers, it will explode.
3. Check the qualification mark on the gas lift chair
When purchasing a lift chair, you can check whether there is a qualification mark on the chair or the packaging box and the basis for product qualification. Since general lift office chairs have a warranty period, consumers must remember to ask for an invoice from the merchant when purchasing. In order to use it as evidence when defending rights.
4. Check the adjustment of the lifting office chair
When purchasing, you can adjust the seat to see if it is smooth. It is recommended to purchase an office lift chair with smooth adjustment.
5. Reject low prices and choose low-priced office chairs for the sake of bargains.
The cost of a good gas cylinder is relatively high, so the overall sales price of the lifting office chair should be more than 200 US dollars, so as to ensure reasonable profits for manufacturers and merchants. If the chair costs less than $100, chances are the gas cylinder is bad and dangerous. Purchasing this lift office chair is like hiding a "random bomb" in your home/office, which is extremely dangerous.
What to Do if Your Office Chair Explodes?
If your office chair explodes, it’s crucial to respond quickly and safely. Here’s what to do:
1. Ensure Immediate Safety
Move Away from the Area: If the chair explodes while you are sitting, try to get up and move away from the chair as quickly as possible to avoid further injury.
Assist Others: If anyone else is in the vicinity, make sure they are safe and uninjured. Move them away from the area if necessary.
2. Assess Injuries
Check for Wounds: If you or anyone else is injured by the explosion, assess the severity of the wounds. Look for cuts, punctures, or blunt force injuries caused by flying debris.
Provide First Aid: If there are minor injuries, provide first aid immediately. For severe injuries, such as deep wounds or excessive bleeding, apply pressure to the wound and seek emergency medical help immediately.
3. Call for Help
Emergency Services: If someone is seriously injured, call emergency services right away. Explain that there has been an explosion and describe the injuries.
Inform Authorities: Report the incident to your workplace safety officer or building management, especially if the chair exploded in an office or public setting. They may need to investigate the cause or check for other faulty equipment.
4. Document the Incident
Take Photos: If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the exploded chair, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. This documentation can be helpful for insurance claims or legal purposes.
Write Down Details: Record the time, date, and a brief description of what happened. Note any potential causes, such as if the chair had been making unusual noises beforehand.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Even if injuries seem minor, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor to ensure there are no hidden issues, such as internal injuries or infections.
6. File a Report
Workplace Incident Report: If the explosion happened at work, file an official report with your employer. This is important for workplace safety records and any potential workers' compensation claims.
Consumer Protection Agency: If you believe the chair was defective, report the incident to a consumer protection agency. They can investigate if the product should be recalled or if the manufacturer needs to take corrective action.
Tips for Correct Use of Office Chairs
The correct and reasonable use of office chairs is also very important. No matter how good the office chair is, various problems may occur after incorrect use.
1. Please do not frequently adjust, rotate or lift the office chair.
Many people like to move around or get up and down repeatedly when riding on a lift chair. These practices are very dangerous and can easily cause uneven stress on the cylinder. Moreover, long-term use of gas cylinders will cause uneven wear and tear, causing explosion hazards.
2. Please do not disassemble the lifting office chair by yourself
Do not disassemble the lift chair, especially the gas spring components. If repairs are needed, please ask professionals. Some people believe that the gas inside a lift chair is dangerous and take the chair apart to release the gas.
Experts warn that consumers should never follow online instructions for disassembling lift chairs and deflating them, as this is very dangerous.
3. Regularly inspect and maintain the lift chair
If you find that the adjustment is not smooth or there are other abnormalities, it is recommended to stop using it and seek professional maintenance. Every item has a normal lifespan. Check your own chair every once in a while. If the lift chair appears cracked, loose, or shakes, it must be repaired and replaced in time to avoid tragedy.
4. Don’t often sit on the front edge of the chair
When using a lift chair, do not sit on the front edge of the chair frequently to avoid torsion damage to the chair.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the common causes of office chair explosions?
Office chair explosions are extremely rare. When they do occur, it's typically due to manufacturing defects, substandard materials, or misuse.
2. How often should I check the safety of my office chair?
Regularly inspect your office chair for signs of wear, loose components, or damage. Annual check-ups are a good practice.
3. Does an office chair explosion affect insurance?
If an office chair explosion causes injuries or damages, it could lead to liability claims. It's essential to have insurance for such situations.
4. Can ergonomic office chairs prevent explosions?
Ergonomic chairs are designed for safety and comfort, reducing the risk of issues that might lead to explosions.
5. Are there statistics on the explosion of office chairs in the workplace?
The explosion of office chairs is extremely rare, and statistics are generally not available because of its infrequency.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to know about how to avoid an office chair explosion. I hope it will be helpful to you when purchasing an office chair.
For our lifting office chairs, we use level 4 cylinders from South Korea's SHS (the highest level of explosion-proof cylinders). An explosion-proof steel plate is also added between the cylinder and the seat to ensure your safety. And it also has authoritative certifications such as SGS, BIFMA, and TUV!
We are an ergonomic office chair manufacturer from China. Has more than 30 years of manufacturing experience. If you need to buy or customize an office chair. Then you can visit our website or contact us by sending an email.
