Can Office Chairs Explode?
The short answer is Yes!
Although rare, this phenomenon is not entirely false. As manufacturing companies these days have become very strict about their product quality, incidents of exploding office or gaming chairs are very rare.
However, it has actually a couple of times earlier.
It is technically possible that the gas cylinders installed under the seat, which allows you to adjust the height of most modern office chairs explode.
It is quite unlikely, and thus the number of cases is significantly low.
We did some more deep diving to understand more about the Gas cylinders installed on the chairs and what causes them to explode.
As the manufacturing companies have become very strict about their product quality, incidents of exploding office or gaming chairs are rare.
However, it has actually a couple of times earlier.
It is technically possible that the gas cylinders installed under the seat, which allows you to adjust the height of most modern office chairs explode. It is quite unlikely, and thus the number of cases is significantly low.
We did some more deep diving to understand more about the Gas cylinders installed on the chairs and what causes them to explode.
Can gas cylinders in the office chair explode?
A few years back, when the famous Swedish You-Tuber mentioned ‘exploding chairs’ in one of his videos, the topic simply skyrocketed on Google Trends within few hours.
Comments were flying past the post with questions like:
Are office chairs dangerous?
Can a gaming chair explode?
Will my office chair explode?
The common answer to all the these questions is YES!
There has been a couple of incidents in which it was seen that the gas cylinder of the chair explodes out of nowhere.
Although the cylinder can burst, the risk of experiencing such an incident is very low.
As per reports, to date, there have been only three active chair explosion cases in China out of the many billion office chairs sold around the globe.
However, after these incidents, the manufacturing companies have become very strict about the quality of products, making it quite unlikely for you to experience an office chair explosion.
The article further will help you to get rid of all your confusion regarding this issue. We will discuss the safety measures you must take to avoid any such incidents happening in your play station or office space.
What Is the Story of Chair Explosion?
The first incident where the office chair exploded happened in China.
Back in the year 2013, a Chinese woman got injured severely because of a computer chair explosion.
Later, her brother reported that she had been sitting on the chair and drying her hair when the chair exploded. The surgeons were able to save her by removing the fragments of plastic and screws from her flesh.
The second story is worth mentioning.
It is about a 14-year old boy from Shandong province in China, who got killed because of the chair explosion in the year 2009.
The alleged blast came from the gas cylinder, and when his chair exploded, it sent chunks of metal into his lower body. The boy died due to excessive bleeding.
The third story of the office chair explosion happened in the year 2008.
As per the reports, a 65-year old man got severely injured in the arms and back when a 150mm steel rod was ejected out of an exploding chair.
The ejection happened with such a tremendous force that the steel rod hit the ceiling.
Well, I know all of these stories sound very gruesome, but you must not be worried about an Office chair explosion when buying yourself a quality office chair from a reputed company.
The strict standards of quality and comfort ensure complete safety.
It is one of the prime reasons which make these ergonomic chairs so expensive.
Why does some office chair explode?
With the above stories, you are very likely to wrap yourself up in the thick clouds of confusion and doubt.
But if you have observed, you will find that a pressurized tank has been mentioned in most of the incidents, either installed in the chair or only they exploded, causing other structural damages.
The big pressurized canisters are more prone to damage as they have a lot of pressure inside it, causing harm to the user if not stored properly.
Most of these incidents have occurred with the chairs which use inexpensive airlifts.
The cheap airlifts are compromised ones, more likely to burst if not stored in a proper environment.
Several manufacturers try to get you comfortable chairs at a very cheap cost.
Let me tell you, they offer affordable products not for catching the buyers’ attention but because they try to cut corners.
They install pressurized air instead of proper gas cylinders to reduce the cost.
Whenever such a canister containing air or gas gets compressed, it creates enough energy to incite an explosion.
There are three types of air-pressurized office chairs available in the market- the hydraulic pressured, the gas pressured, and the mechanical chairs.
You can check for the kind of chair by checking if it uses a compressed air tank.
If you look around in a general office, you will find that most of the chairs in modern workspaces are gas pressurized.
What are Gas Pressured Office Chairs?
These days, most gaming and office chairs are made up of a gas pressured suspension system. This system allows the chair to shift up and down quickly to match your requirements.
When you press the lever to move the chair’s body up or down, the gas spring mechanism work.
It uses the compressed nitrogen gas to create a pressure that is needed to adjust the height.
It also has a lubricating oil, ensuring that the springs work efficiently, giving way to a smooth movement.
Over time, it creates friction, which can cause a severe explosion in the presence of compromised tanks.
How Can You Avoid Office Chair Explosions?
The main culprit behind this is the use of gas cylinders.
Located at the chair’s base, this gas compressed canisters support a mechanism that allows the user to adjust the seat up or down.
Most countries have strict standards regarding the use of gas cylinders in the office chairs, cutting down the risk of any such incidents happening in the near future.
Their standards are quite rigorous to ensure the safety of the consumers.
However, the threat not be eliminated completely.
The gas tank in the office chair can explode but only under very abusive conditions.
However, it is still a good idea to invest in a good ergonomic office chair, which helps you get rid of back pain and offers a comfortable sitting experience.
Investing in a decent office chair from a good brand is worthwhile as it promises safety and wellness.
There are few precautions to consider while buying new office chair for better security:
Ensure buying your office chair only from a reputable brand.
Most accidents happen because certain manufacturers try to make a better profit by delivering compromised quality products.
Luckily, undoubtedly genuine and customer-centric manufacturers follow strict manufacturing guidelines to ensure every buyer’s wellness.
Replace the gas cylinder if it is faulty.
You need to understand when your office chair is requiring a change of cylinder.
It is essential to do it after a particular interval of time to ensure your cozy office chair’s longevity.
If you see that the chair is facing the adjustability issues, learn that it might need a quick replacement. You must read the user’s manual for better knowledge.
Use your office chair accordingly.
Do not try pulling stunts using your chair. It can be very risky.
Always keep in mind that your office chair is for sitting; use it likewise.
You must strictly follow the manufacturer’s ‘instructions of use’ carefully.
Conclusion
The risk of experiencing an explosion due to your office chair’s hydraulic system is next to impossible if you buy certified products from renowned brands.
You cannot claim that all office chairs are dangerous because they are actually not.
They are your comfortable throne, which allows us to work for hours without straining your back. So, worry not and enjoy your day at the office!
