Can office chairs be regassed?

Can you regas office chairs?

Yes, it is possible to regas your office chair after using it for an extended period. The procedure involves replacing the gas cylinder appropriately. This action will help reset it and negate any of the current defects. It is also important to service your gas chambers well to prevent safety hazards. This hazard is in the top 5% of all office injuries.

Why is there a gas cylinder in an office chair?

Changing the chair’s height easily is a direct result of a gas chamber. A gas cylinder is pneumatic and generally found between the wheelbase and the seat. It was designed to help the chair compress air to maintain balance safely.

There will often be a paddle or handle to operate the chair that can be used. This accessory will release and build pressure at will. Pulling this handle will release tension and allow you to reduce the chair’s height almost instantaneously. Releasing the hold will then build up pressure, thereby providing you with additional size on the chair.

Replacing the gas cylinder

The first thing to do is place the chair on its back. 

Make sure that the top of the back and front of the seat are safely balanced on the ground. This move will allow you direct access to the gas cylinder without worrying about maintaining its balance. 

Make use of a hammer tool to hit the gas cylinder column carefully. 

Be very careful to hit it from the bottom rather than the sides or the top. This choice could cause damage to the holding mechanism of the chair. It is best to be as precise as possible and consistent.

With your chair remaining flipped over, the next stage is adding the new gas cylinder. 

You will have noticed the retaining mechanism at the top of the old gas cylinder. This move is the path to use when adding the new cylinder. Make sure to be firm when pushing it together to connect it safely. Once you have reconnected the cylinder, you can firmly press it down to reset the chair’s balance. 

After this, you can set the chair back on its legs and test it. Test it using your knees to check that the mechanism is working safely.  

Types of gas cylinders

The most common types of office chair cylinders will have two parts. 

The section directly at the top of the cylinder is a gas spring. This partition often comes with a diameter of about 28mm. This is the part of the cylinder which is responsible for handling the pressurized nitrogen gas. There will also be a lubrication oil present within the mechanism. The gas spring is connected to the lever or handle required to lower or increase the chair’s height. It has a standard industry taper of 17-4. 

The second part of the gas cylinder takes the form of a column that is about 2 inches in diameter. This part usually is where the casters are stored. These will be found underneath the bottom of the chair. To quickly identify a gas cylinder, you will have to look at the stroke. This term is the combined range your seat can travel in both directions. A standard chair cylinder will range between 4-6 inches. 

Measure the current optics of your gas cylinder range, and then when replacing it, find one with the same capacity. This move will save you time in the replacement process.

When to replace a gas cylinder in an office chair

It is Empty

The most obvious reason you would change a gas cylinder was that it was empty. This would result in your chair struggling to provide you with any assistance in raising or decreasing the height of your chair. 

It is Rusty

Rusty gas cylinders are a disaster waiting to happen. A small crack in the cylinder could lead to an explosion. This occurrence will generally mean that the protective layer in the canister is now thinning. Avoiding danger like this is essential as this accident is in the top 5 most common accidents in the workplace. 

It is Leaking

If the canister is leaking, you must replace it. It will soon be empty, but it still poses a significant hazard. This is likely to occur, especially if an ignition source is nearby. 

How to remove the gas cylinder

You will require a hammer. Gently hit the bottom of the gas cylinder. Make sure to hit the same spot consistently precisely. This action will help nudge the cylinder out of the retention brackets. Make sure not to hit the top or sides of the can; otherwise, this will damage the attachment mechanism.

Can office chairs explode?

Yes, office chairs can explode. These incidents are widespread and fall in the top 5% of office accidents worldwide. This accident can occur quickly if people use regular air instead of the correct gas in the cylinder. Companies sometimes do this to reduce costs. If you purchased a chair from a country with straightforward safety protocols, then there is a possibility your chair may explode because of the poor materials used. The last reason why your chair might explode is that you abuse it consistently with hefty loads.

Testing a chair after replacing gas cylinder

It is best to sit the chair upright and ensure it is well balanced on all legs. After this, you can use your knee to lower and raise the chair’s height. Be careful to avoid putting your total weight on the chair. This move will keep you safe if the cylinder is not fully functioning. 

How to stop a hydraulic chair from sinking?

You can make use of a piece of plastic PVC. This product is a tiny pipe that, if inserted correctly, should have the capacity to hold your total weight safely. 

Elissa Smith
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