DARKROOM ILLUMINATION Flashcards

1
Q

Proper illumination in a darkroom is essential to
facilitate safe film handling while preventing
unwanted exposure that could damage image
quality. There are four primary types of
illumination used in a radiographic darkroom:

A

DARKROOM
ILLUMINATION

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2
Q

four primary types of
illumination used in a radiographic darkroom:

A

WHITE LIGHT
safelight
Wet film illuminator
wall finish illuminator

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3
Q
  1. Used for general
    maintenance activities
    such as cleaning the
    room, washing tanks,
    mixing solutions,
    placing film in the
    dryer, and unloading
    films from hangers.
  2. Typically consists of
    fluorescent bulbs or
    small incandescent
    bulbs that provide
    bright light when
    necessary.

3.Placement Considerations:
White light should be kept away from the film
storage area to prevent accidental exposure.
It should only be turned on when no films are
being processed to avoid film fogging.

A

White light

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4
Q

1 Provides low-intensity
illumination that allows
technicians to handle films
safely without causing
fogging.

  1. A lamp housing with a 15-
    watt bulb and a 6B filter is
    typically used.
  2. Placement Guidelines:
    Safelights should be mounted on the top of the dry section at
    a minimum distance of 5 feet from the work surface.

The filter type used depends on the film’s sensitivity:

Amber filter: Used for blue-sensitive films (calcium-
tungstate screens). It transmits wavelengths longer than
550 nm.

Red filter: Used for green-sensitive films (rare-earth
screens). It transmits light above 600 nm, preventing
fogging

A

Safelight

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5
Q

Types of Safelights

A

DIRECT TYPE
INDIRECT TYPE

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6
Q

Mounted on the dry side, emitting light directly
toward the work area.

A

Direct Type

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7
Q

Mounted so that the light is directed toward the
ceiling, allowing for reflected light to illuminate
the darkroom gently.

A

Indirect Type

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8
Q

1 Mounted above and to the rear of the
processing tank to
check film while in the
fixer solution.

  1. Used during the
    hardening and
    washing stages of
    processing to inspect
    film progress.
  2. Precautions:
    Must be turned on only when necessary.

Ensure that no open box of film is on the dry side
and that no film is under the developer solution or
stop bath before switching it on.

A

Wet Film Illuminator

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9
Q

1 Walls and ceilings
should be painted with
non-reflective paint to
prevent light from
bouncing and
unintentionally
exposing the film.

2 If a safelight emits
slightly high-intensity
spectral quality light,
it may interact with
reflective surfaces,
potentially causing
unintended film
exposure.

3 Using dark, matte-finished paint reduces this risk
and maintains a controlled lighting environment.

A

Wall Finish Illuminator

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10
Q

For maintenance
activities

A

White Light

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11
Q

For safe film handling

A

Safelight

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12
Q

For checking films in
fixer

A

Wet Film Illuminator

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13
Q

Prevents light
reflection

A

Wall Finish

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14
Q

Proper ventilation is essential in a radiographic
darkroom to create a comfortable working
environment for radiologic technologists while
maintaining film quality and chemical stability.

A

DARKROOM VENTILATION

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15
Q

Importance of
Ventilation

A
  1. A well-ventilated darkroom helps maintain a
    conducive atmosphere, making film processing more
    efficient.
  2. Proper air-conditioning protects films in storage and
    prevents the evaporation of processing chemicals,
    which can affect film development.
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16
Q

Humidity Control

A

40-60%

1 Above 60%: Leads to reduced contrast and increased
fog in radiographs.

2 Below 40%: Increases the risk of static artifacts,
which appear as unwanted marks on the film.

17
Q

Temperature Regulation

A

19.44-20°C 10°C

(67 degree F - 68 degree F)
High temperatures reduce image contrast
and increase film fog.

18
Q

(50 degree F)
A film could be stored for a long period if
the temperature maintained.

19
Q

Airflow Requirements

A

15-25 FT/MIN

1.Air movement in the darkroom should be maintained at 15 to 25 feet
per minute to prevent chemical vapor buildup.

2.Positive air pressure should be maintained inside the processing
room to prevent dust and external contaminants from entering

20
Q

Exhaust System and
Air Filtration

The film dryer should have
a separate duct leading
outside the darkroom to
remove excess heat and
humidity.

A

Dryer exhaust:

21
Q

Incoming air should pass
through filters to remove
dust particles, preventing
contamination of film and
chemicals.

A

Filtered air intake

22
Q

is
where the initial handling of films occurs, including loading and unloading of cassettes and film
hangers. This section must be well-organized to prevent film damage and exposure to unwanted
light.

A

Dry Section

23
Q

DRY SECTION
COMPONENTS

A

loading bench
film bin
storage of hanger
storage compartment
cassette transfer cabinet (pass box)
waste receptacle
storage cabinet

24
Q

1 The primary workspace for handling films.

2 A small table, typically 28 inches long and 17 inches
wide, though size may vary based on darkroom
dimensions.

  1. Used for loading and unloading films into cassettes
    and hangers.

4 Height: Must be 3 feet for comfortable use.

A

Loading Bench

25
Q

1 Located under the loading
bench for convenient
access.

2 Made of metal with
separate compartments to
store different film sizes.

3 Stores open boxes of film,
allowing for quick and
easy loading into cassettes.

26
Q

1 Positioned above the
loading bench for easy
retrieval.

2 Hangers are arranged
on two parallel bars,
with handles placed
on top.

3 Different hanger sizes
should be organized
properly for
efficiency.

A

Storage of
Hanger

27
Q

1 Mounted above the
loading bench for
storing unopened film
boxes.

2 Also includes space for
cassette storage.

3 Acts as alternative storage when a film bin is
unavailable.

A

Storage
Compartment

28
Q

1 A compartmentalized box for
exposed and unexposed films.

2 Installed through the wall
between the darkroom and
exposure room.

3 Features:
Light-proof design prevents
unwanted exposure.

Lock mechanism ensures that
only one side can be opened
at a time.

Prevents accidental film
exposure when transferring
cassettes.

A

Cassette Transfer Cabinet (Pass Box)

29
Q

1 Should be placed near
the loading bench for
convenience.

2 If using a film bin, it
should be positioned
close by.

3 If not, it should be placed under the bench to save
space.

A

Waste Receptacle

30
Q

1 Positioned on the side of the
darkroom, near the
loading bench.

2 Divided into two sections:

Upper portion: Stores various film boxes.

Lower portion: Stores chemical solutions for film
processing.

A

Storage
Cabinet

31
Q

plays a crucial role in ensuringproper film handling and minimizing
exposure risks. An organized layout with
designated storage areas for films, cassettes, and hangers
ensures efficiency and maintains film quality.

A

Importance of the Dry Section