• Term “darkroom” overstates the case
• White light is EXCLUDED.
• Important place in the radiology department of a hospital, clinic, nursing home or a private x-ray clinic.
• Is a room where the latent image is processed into visible image by means of chemical processing. Hence also called processing room.

• Storage – of unexposed films

• Film processing

• Handling of films

•Loading and unloading the film

• Centrally located 
• Close to radiographic room- time saving   
• Away from hot, damp basement areas.  
• Serviced by hatches from the adjacent imaging room
• Accessible in terms of water and power supply
• Adjoining viewing room

• Large enough to accommodate all necessary equipments without crowding.
• Parameters of an ideal dark room-
• floor space- 100 sq.feet
• Ceiling height- 11 feet
• Size can vary depending on the department needs.
• Safe distance between dry and wet side.
• Loading bench and processing tank on opposite sides.

• Window avoided
• Relative humidity maintained- 40-60%,room temp- 18-20 degree Celsius.
• Ideal solution- good air conditioning system
• Alternative –extractor fan- creates positive air pressure.

• Electric shock is dangerous- as close proximity with
• chemical tanks
• Water pipes
• Damp floors
• Wet fingers
• Prevention- proper earthing .

• Designed – to transfer film cassettes to and from the dark room without radiation light entering.
• Include 2 compartments-
  •     Exposed
  •     unexposed
• Metallic structures with lead lining- x-ray shielding
• Typically wall mounted
• Near film loading bench
• Include x-ray proof automatic interlocks, closes one door when other is opened.
• provides temporary storage of loaded cassettes.

•There are following types of entrance used in dark rooms-

A. Single door-  

• simplest type of entrance
• Single door- light tight & radiation proof
• An inside lock

B. DOUBLE DOOR

• having 2 doors
• one leading IN
• other used for OUT

c. MAZE TYPE

• elaborate type of entrance
• NO requirement of door
• serves as a light trap
• High cost
• Large space occupying
• Rarely used these days.

D. REVOLVING DOOR

• Occupies very little space
• convenient light proof access to dark room
• echo- friendly

• The dark room should have 2 types of illumination-
  • general illumination/white lighting
  • safe light/radiographic illumination

GENERAL ILLUMINATION

• Inspection & maintenance of cassette and screen
• Cleaning of work space
• Servicing of equipment
• Sited close to ceiling- avoids strong shadow
• Moderate in intensity
• Centrally placed
• More than one switch preferable
• Identification of such switches is important

SAFE LIGHT

2 types

  direct – distance: 1.2m from working surface

  indirect- distance: 2.1m from floor

• Provide adequate illumination without fogging films.
• Have filters of proper colors(red filters can be used for both blue and green sensitive films) •
• Working distance- not less than 1.2 m.
• Bulb wattage- d less than 15 watts. I – 25 watt
• Work quick under it.
• Not completely safe, prolonged exposure- fogging of films

•Components comprises of-

• Loading bench
• Compartment for cassettes
• Film bin
• Storage for reserve film
• Brackets for film hangers
• Wastepaper receptacle

• Processing tank-simplest type has 4 compartments- •   1. developing   2. rinsing   3. fixing   4.washing tank
•  stainless steel of alloy- generally used material.
• Processing chemicals
• 2 stirring paddlers
• Thermometer
• Washing tank
• Dryers

• Ideally all darkrooms should be provided with fire exits
• Clearly indicated
• Left unobstructed at all the times

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