This document provides guidelines for setting up a dark room for radiographic use. It recommends locating the dark room conveniently near the radiographic room with 1.6mm lead shielding on walls. The dark room should be away from damp or hot areas and accessible to plumbing and electrical service. It describes building essentials like single light-tight doors, interlocked double doors, and revolving doors. Proper ventilation, illumination, and apparatus are also discussed for maintaining film quality and working conditions.

1. DARK
ROOM
Dr. Kunal Bedse

2. DARK ROOM

3.  Convenient in relation to the Radiographic room.
 1.6 mm (1/16 inches) lead = correct thickness of lead
required to shield walls adjacent to the Radiographic
rooms.
 Windows should be avoided.
 Should be away from damp or hot areas
 Accessible to plumbing and electrical service.
LOCATION OF DARK
ROOM

4.  Wall between = Enough lead thickness
 Pass boxes = Light-Tight and X-ray proof
Interlocked so both doors can’t be opened at same
time
 WALLS :– SHOULD NOT be Black. Light color-
Easy to wipe out and clean
Chemical resistant materials:-
Special paints
Varnish
Lacquer
Ceramic tiles
Plastic wall covering
 Floors:- chemical resistant and stain proof
Asphalt Tiles
Porcelain Tiles
Clay Tiles
Add non skid abrasive to avoid slipping
BUILDING
ESSENTIALS

5. I. Single door – absolutely light tight BY WEATHER
STRIPPING
II. Small hall with two electrically interlocked
doors
III.Maze- requires no doors if walls are painted
black
IV.Revolving door- preferred modern type of
entrance
ENTRANCEENTRANCE

6. DARK ROOMDARK ROOM
AA
BB
A= Small hallA= Small hall
BB= Two electrically interlocked doors= Two electrically interlocked doors
HALL WITH 2 ELECTRICALLY
INTERLOCKED DOORS

7. DARK ROOM
EMERGENCY DOOR
ENTRANCE HALL
MAZE or LABYRINTH
ENTRANCE

8. WALLWALL
DARK ROOMDARK ROOM
LIGHT ROOMLIGHT ROOM
2 WAY REVOLVING DARKROOM DOOR

9.  Varies with size of department
 Placement of loading bench across the room from the tanks
so that it minimizes accidental splashing of water and
solutions on films, benches, cassettes or other equipments
that may come in contact with films
 Dark room with constant use – minimum floor area of 10
square meter and a ceiling height of around 2.5-3m
SIZSIZEE

10. Aim:- Adequate removal of STALE HUMID AIR
supply of FRESH AIR
Provide satisfactory working conditions for staff
Good film handling and storage conditions
Efficient automatic processor performance
Modes:-
 Exhaust fan
 Air conditioner – Preferred method
VENTILATION

11. ILLUMINATION SAFE LIGHT :- provided by SAFE LIGHT LAMPS FILTERS OF PROPER
COLOR
a. Ordinary blue violet sensitive film – WRATTEN SERIES 6B
FILTER
b. Green sensitive Ortho-G Film- Special filter KODAK GS –1
 WORKING DISTANCE- minimum 1 meter (3 feet
 BULB WATTAGE used should corresponds to that specified in
LAMP Housing
Walls no need to paint black , because a light color enhances
safelight illumination without increasing risk of film fogging
 GENERAL ILLUMINATIION:
 RADIOGRAPHIC ILLUMINATION : florescent illuminator mounted
over washing compartment for viewing wet radiographs

12. How does a safelight work
 When whitelight is passed through
coloured filters
wavelengths corresponding to color of
filter will be transmitted ,e. g. ,yellow filter
allows yellow light to pass
and rest wavelengths are absorbed
by filters.

13. TYPES OF SAFELIGHTING
 DIRECT:-
Light falls directly onto the work surface
Should be sighted a minimum distance of
1.2m (4ft) from the working surface
Best type of lighting for film loading and
unloading areas

14. INDIRECT SAFELIHTING :-
 Intended to provide general illumination of
the darkroom
 Safelamp directs the light towards ceiling

15. Safelight filtersers
 Consist of a sheet of gelatin dyed to
appropriate color
and sandwitched between 2
sheets of glass for protection
used in
conjunction with 25 w lamp

16. SAFETY OF DARK ROOM
LIGHTING
If uncovered portion appears darker
than covered portion, dark Room
lighting is unsafe.

17. DARKROOM ILLUMINATION
 Ordinary white lighting
 Inspection and maintainance of cassettes and screens
 Cleaning of work surfaces and floors
 Servicing of equipment
 Sited close to the ceiling
 Moderate in intensity (60W tungsten,or 30W fluorescent)
 Preferably centrally placed
 Switch placed higher than safelight switches

18. Ready mixed processing chemicals
Two stirring paddles- one for developer and other for
fixer
Thermometer
Manual Processing Tanks -
best material=stainless steel of proper alloy
because
1. Resists corrosion
2. Excellent conductor of heat
Types= 1. Simplest type-
three compartment tank
2. Large insulated, stainless steel, double
compartment master tank
APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENTS

19.  Drying devices- dryers – enamel / stainless steel
cabinets provided with heating element and blower
fan
 Light Proof Storage bin for unexposed films should
be placed under loading bench
 Warning Light must be posted on front of bin to
prevent its opening in white light
 Film Hangers of proper size and sufficient numbers
 A conveniently located water inletA conveniently located water inlet

20. A CONVENIENT ARRAY OF TANKS FOR
MANUAL PROCESSING

21. THANKTHANKTHANKTHANK