DARKROOM AND ITS EQUIPMENT

1. MAAJID MOHI UD DIN MALIK
DARK ROOM
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RADIOLOGY HUB

2. INTRODUCTION
A darkroom is used to process photographic film, to make
prints and to carry out other associated tasks. It is a room
that can be made completely dark to allow the processing of
the light-sensitive photographic materials, including film
and photographic paper. Various equipment is used in the
darkroom, including an enlarger, baths containing chemicals,
and running water.
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3. CONT…
 It should be in close proximity to the place where the work of radiographer is carried
out.
 It should serve as many imaging rooms as geographically possible.
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4. LOCATION
 It should be centrally sited and served by
hatches(pass boxes) from the adjacent imaging
rooms.
 Away from damp and hot areas
 Power and water accessibility
 Adjoining viewing area where processed films can be
checked or sorted out
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5. DARKROOMSIZE
 Minimum floor area of 10m2
 Ceiling height 2.5-3m
RADIATION PROTECTION
 Coating the walls with barium paste or increase the
thickness
 Lining the doors with LEAD ply-sheet
 Shielding any gaps around the door
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6. FLOORS
 Durable and easy to maintain(Eg: Plastic tiles)
 Non porous non slip flooring material
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7. WALLS/CEILING
Light in color
Easy to wipe over and keep clean
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8. VENTILATIONAND HEATING
 Satisfactory working condition for staff
 Good film handling and storage conditions This can
be ensured by:
 Relative humidity : 40-60%
 Min of 10 air changes per hour
 Room temperature 18-200C
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9. DARKROOMENTRANCE: SINGLEDOOR
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10. DARKROOMENTRANCE: DOUBLEDOOR
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11. DARKROOMENTRANCE: MAZE
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12. DARKROOMENTRANCE:REVOLVINGDOOR
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13. DARKROOMILLUMINATION
2 modes of lighting :
 Ordinary white lighting
 Safe lighting
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14. WHITELIGHTING
It is necessary for
 Inspection and maintenance of cassettes and screens
 Cleaning of work surfaces and floors
 Servicing of equipment White
light should be
 Close to the ceiling to avoid shadows
 Moderate in intensity (60W tungsten /30Wfluorescent)
 Centrally placed
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15. SAFELIGHTING
Need: Working in compete darkness all day long is not a
pleasant condition to work on.
White light cannot be used as it causes fogging of film.
Hence DIM COLORED LIGHTING sufficient enough to work
at is used
BUT THERE IS NO TOTALLY SAFE “SAFE”LIGHTING
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16. WHYSAFELIGHTINGISNOT100%SAFE
 No Filter completely absorbs the undesirable
wavelengths
 All films have SOME sensitivity to all wavelengths
HOW TO MAKE IT MORE SAFER?
 Reduce the film handling time and intensity of
illumination
 Recommended Standard : 25w lamp sited at a minimum
of 1.2m from the film
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17. CONSTRUCTION
 Colored gelatin filter is sandwiched
b/w plane glass
 Fitted in a metal lantern box
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18. AREAS WHERESAFELIGHTIS REQUIRED
 Film loading / unloading areas.
 Processor film feed-in points.
 Path b/w above two.
 At developer tank.
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19. SAFELIGHTTYPES
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20. SAFELIGHTHANDLINGTIME
Maximum time a film can be exposed to safelight
during the procedure without
causing any appreciable degree of fogging.
Average time : 20-45secs
Faster films need shorter time
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21. EQUIPMENTANDARRANGEMENT
An automatic processor
Cassette hatches
Film storage hopper
Loading
bench/cupboards
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