PROCESSING ROOM

Processing Room

Also known as the “darkroom”

Lightproof

The darkroom must be made completely ___

Darkroom

Designed for the handling and storage of X- ray film.

It is where the processing of the latent image takes place

Close to examination room

location of processing room

10 sqm

Minimum floor area of darkroom

2.5-3 m

ceiling height of darkroom

Solid Concrete, leaded

walls must have a ____

15cm

how thick is the solid concrete wall?

1.5 mm for 100-150 kvp

walls must be ____ for radiation protection

Light gray, ivory, white, cream enamel

walls and ceilings should be painted with __

Chemical-resistant materials

Must be covered with ___ such as special paint, varnish, or ceramic tiles.

Floor

Should be durable, easily cleaned, not slippery, and resistant to staining and corrosive substances

Ceramic tiles, porcelain, natural clay

most satisfactory for floor

40-60%

Relative humidity should be maintained at around __

<40%

static artifacts

>60%

film fog

18-20 celsius

Room temperature should be maintained between

10 air changes per hour

Darkroom must have a minimum of

Static electricity and fog

Temperature and humidity must be maintained at an optimum level to prevent ___

Air-conditioning system

All of these conditions can be achieved by using a good

Exhaust vent

low on the darkroom wall to draw fumes down and away.

Fresh air vent

higher on the wall to bring in fresh air

Electric Wiring

The darkroom should have a safe and suitable electric supply

far from the wet bench

Electric cables and equipment should be placed

Adequate earthing

All electric equipment should have ___ to prevent electric shock.

Water Supply

Must have an adequate supply of fresh water.

sink, faucet, and drainage systems.

Darkroom entrances

should be light-tight and have an interlock system to prevent accidental light exposure to films.

Single door, double door, maze/ labyrinth, rotating door

Types of darkroom entrances

Single Door system

Latch or lock from inside.

Capable of releasing the lock from outside in case of emergency.

Ideally, no one should work alone in a dark room

Double Door system

Two doors with a small vestibule in between.

An electrical interlock can be fitted – one door cannot be opened until the other is closed.

Maze/ Labyrinth Type Entrance

Light is reflected at least 3 times.

Intensity is reduced to a harmless level.

Easy and instant access to the dark room.

No hazard to a single-handed operator.

Allows for fresh air to come in.

Matte black paint

the interior of the passages

2m

Vertical height of maze

Not less than 3m

Length of maze

Not more than 700mm

Width of maze

Revolving Door system

Most efficient but most expensive type.

Composed of two black cylinders.

The outer is fixed.

The inner is the revolving door with only one opening.

Extends about 15” into each adjoining room.

Lightproof access to the room.

3 ft in diameter

diameter of revolving door

Darkroom Illumination

White light, safelight

White light

Preferably centrally placed on the ceiling.

For inspection & maintenance of cassettes & screens.

Cleaning of work surfaces.

Servicing of equipment.

For changing the solutions

60W Tungsten, 30W Fluorescent

White light should have moderate intensity

Higher

The switch for the white light should be separated and preferably __ than the switch for the safe light.

Safelight

Provides adequate illumination and will not cause fogging of x-ray film during normal handling of the film in the darkroom.

Best for loading and unloading films

Xray film

most sensitive after exposure and before processing

7.5W or 15 W

safelight (incandescent)

4ft (1.25 m)

Carlton and Adler: Minimum working distance from the work surface for both 7.5W and 15W bulb should be

5 ft. (1.5 m)

Bushong: Minimum working distance from the work surface for a 15W bulb should be

Filtering Device

To achieve the desired result of producing illumination in a particular energy range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

This is made of a special colored filter made of glass with an

emulsion backing

Kodak Wratten 6B, Kodak GBX all-purpose

two common filters

Kodak Wratten 6B filter

A dark amber safelight filter.

Used for blue-sensitive film.

Emits orange-brown light.

550 nm

The amber filter transmits light that has wavelengths longer than approximately __, which is above the spectral response of

blue-sensitive film

Kodak GBX all-purpose filter

More versatile and provides illumination in the darker red range.

• Used for Green- and Blue-sensitive film

• Emits deep red light.

600 nm

Red filter

• Transmits only light above approximately __

Red filter

• Transmits only light above approximately 600 nm.

• suitable for both green- and blue-sensitive film.

Safelight test

Immediately following installation, each safelight must be tested.

• To test a safelight, a standard procedure should be followed.

three-quarters

Cover ___ of the film surface and turn the safelight to be tested "on.” It is important to test only one light at a time.

4 minutes

total exposure time for safelight test

Densitometer

The finished radiograph should be evaluated using a ___, an instrument used to measure blackening on radiographs

Unsafe

If fog or blackening is present and/or increases in fog occur with continued exposure from the safelight, the safelight should be considered ___

Dry Side

refers to the area where photographic materials are handled in a dry state, away from any chemicals or water.

The area where the loading and unloading of films into the cassette takes place

Cassette compartments, Film storage, Brackets for film hangers, Waste bin

dry side of darkroom

Wet Side

The area dedicated to the chemical processing of film.

It's where film is developed, stopped, fixed, washed, and potentially dried.

Chemicals, Tanks or Trays, Running Water, Draining Rack, Automatic Processor

wet side of darkroom

Chemicals

Developer, stop bath, fixer, and wash solutions

Tanks or Trays

Hold the chemicals for processing film

Running Water

for rinsing and washing during processing

Processing System

Consists of tanks containing processing chemicals that are made from stainless steel to avoid corrosion.

Processing Chemicals

A group of processing chemicals used in film development to convert invisible images into visible images.

Passbox/ Cassette Hatch

The ___ allows cassettes to be passed to the darkroom without opening the door and exposing the room to light.

Has two light-tight and X-ray-proof doors that are interlocked so that they cannot be opened simultaneously.

Have two sides, one labeled “exposed” and the other “unexposed”.

Near the film-loading bench

location of passbox

Cassette

A rectangular or square plastic or metallic container used to hold X-ray film (exposed or unexposed) and intensifying screens in close and uniform contact with one another.

14x17, 14x14, 11x14, 10x12, 8x10

cassette sizes

Use of cassettes

1. Hold the intensifying screen and protect it from damage.

2. Exclude all light from entering the cassette and fogging the film.

3. Maintain a close and uniform contact between the screen and film.

4. Exclude dust and dirt from the sensitive films.

5. Act as a medium for exposure up to further processing of film

Film storage Hopper

Storage for unexposed films.

Film boxes must be stored vertically, not horizontally.

It must be placed under the loading bench.

A warning should be written on the outside that it should not be opened in white light.

Drawers and cupboards can also be used to store unused films

Under the loading bench

location of film storage hopper

Hangers for suspending film

an instrument or device for holding radiographic film during the processing procedure.

Available in various sizes.

• Made up of stainless steel.

Stainless steel

hangers are made up of

Clip, Channel, Spring

Types of hangers

Loading bench

It is an area where in loading and unloading of radiographic cassettes take place.

2.5 m

Length of loading bench

minimum of 600 mm

Width of loading bench

minimum of 900 mm

Height of loading bench

Linoleum

Made of hardwood (teak) covered with__ (easy to clean, hard wearing, and antistatic

Cupboards

used for storing photographic materials, particularly chemicals and film, in a safe and organized manner.

It helps to protect sensitive items from light, dust, and potential damage.

Darkroom Sink

Placed adjacent to the processing unit

Hot and cold water should be supplied.

Taps should be at least 400 mm above the sink

250 mm

Depth of darkroom sink

750 mm

Length of darkroom sink

450 mm

Width of darkroom sink

400 mm

taps should be __ above the sink

Film Dryer

a device used to quickly and safely dry radiographic film, often after processing.

It typically utilizes a controlled heating and airflow system to remove moisture from the film without causing damage or drying marks

Chemical Hazards

Darkroom chemicals can cause sensitivity reactions in some individuals, ranging from mild skin irritation to more serious respiratory issues.

Darkroom disease

are often linked to prolonged exposure to chemicals like developers, fixers, and stop baths.

Symptoms can include skin rashes, respiratory problems, and other flu-like symptoms.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial to remove chemical fumes from the darkroom

Personal Protective Equipment

Gloves, aprons, and goggles should be used when handling chemicals

Safe Mixing Practices

Avoid inhaling powdered developer dust by using a mask during mixing

Proper Disposal

Dispose of chemicals according to local regulations

Switching Developers

If sensitivity is suspected, switching to a different developer or exploring alternative processes may be helpful.

Seek Medical Advice

If experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.