KMCT DENTAL COLLEGE

Manassery, Mukkam

DESIGNING THE
RADIOGRAPHIC
DARK ROOM
Presented By:

Niyas Ummer
PG Student
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology

Introduction
The x-ray exposure to produce a radiograph of satisfactory diagnostic
quality, with minimum exposure to the patient, depends on:
Exposure technique
Film-screen combination
Proper handling of the film
Processing of the film
These require a good darkroom and proper developing techniques.

Overview
1. Designing the Radiographic Room
Controlled areas
Location
Layout
Room Size
Shielding
Ventilation
Control Panel
Warning lights
2. Designing the Dark Room
Minimum Requirements
Layout
Light-tight Processing Room
Darkroom Entrance
Safelighting
Processing Tanks
Processing solution temperature
Ventilation
Storage Place
Viewing Area

Regulatory Acts
a) Section 17 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Radiation
Protection Rules (RPR), G.S.R. - 1601, 1971 issued under the Act
Radiation safety in handling of radiation generating plants
b) Radiation Surveillance Procedures for Medical Applications of
Radiation, G.S.R. - 388, 1989, issued under rule 15 General
requirements for ensuring radiation protection in installation and
handling of X-ray equipment

Designing the Radiographic Room

Concept of Controlled area
It is important to designate a controlled area around the dental xray equipment, to help ensure that the measures provided under
regulations are effective in preventing or restricting routine and potential
exposures. Prohibiting normal access to the controlled area during
radiography is a must. A controlled area will only exist whilst x-rays are
being generated.
Controlled area is considered to be:
within the primary x-ray beam until it has been sufficiently
attenuated by distance or shielding
within 1.5 m of the x-ray tube and the patient, in any other direction
Since the beam is not fully attenuated by the patient, the controlled
area is considered as extending beyond the patient until intercepted by
primary protective shielding.
Location of X-Ray Installation
It should be located as far away as feasible from areas of high
occupancy and general traffic.
If located in a residential complex:
Wall on which primary X-ray beam falls should not be not less than
35 cm thick brick or equivalent
Wall on which scattered X-ray fall is not less than 23 cm thick brick
or equivalent
Shielding equivalent to at least 23 cm thick brick or 1.7 mm lead in
front of the door(s) and windows
Layout of Rooms
The number of doors for entry to the X-ray rooms shall be kept to
the minimum. It shall not be possible to direct the primary X-ray beam
towards dark room, door, windows, and control panel, or areas of high
occupancy.
Room Size
Total area of the radiography room shall be not less than 18 m2.
There should be a minimum area of 150 sq. feet. No single dimension
shall be less than 4 m. Not more than one unit of any type shall be
installed in the same room.

Orthopantomography (OPG) units:

Room size shall not be less that 15 m2. No single dimension shall be
less than 3.5 m.

Shielding
An appropriate structural shielding for walls, doors, ceiling and floor
is mandatory. In addition, appropriate shielding for the dark room is also
necessary (ensure that the undeveloped X-ray films are not exposed to
more than 10 mGy per week).
Brick or concrete are the best materials for shielding as they are
easily available, economical, and have good structural strength. Lead
cannot be used, as it is a weak structural material with tendency to lose
uniformity, needs periodic radiation survey to ensure its continued
adequacy, and poses a serious environmental hazard and the use of it is
being discouraged the world over.
Openings and Ventilation
Unshielded openings for ventilation or natural light, must be located
above a height of 2 m from the finished floor level outside the X-ray room.
Control Panel

For equipment operating at 125 kVp or above:

Control panel must be installed in a separate room located outside
but contiguous to the X-ray room, along with appropriate shielding, direct
viewing and communication facilities.
For machines upto 125 kVp:
Control panel should be located in the X-ray room. The distance
between control panel and X-ray unit stand shall be not less than 3 m.
Waiting Areas and Warning Light
Patient waiting areas shall be provided outside the X-ray room.
Suitable warning signal (red light) at a conspicuous place outside and kept
ON when the unit is in use. Appropriate warning placard should be

posted outside.
Location of Dark Room
It should be located adjacent to the X-ray room such that no primary
or secondary X-rays reach inside.

Designing the Dark Room

Minimum Requirements
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.

Light-tight room
Both safe-light and white-light illumination
Processing tanks and / automatic processor
Hot and cold running water
Accurate thermometer and interval timer
Drying racks or dryer
Adequate storage space
A radiograph viewer
Has a light-tight storage draw for unexposed extra-oral film

Layout

Room should be atleast 4 x 5 feet in size, such that it should be

convenient to the x-ray machines and dental operatories. The room
should be large enough to avoid crowded conditions. Equipment should be
arranged to be within arms reach. The room should located as close as
possible either to the X-ray clinic or the reading area.

Walls should be of a light pastel color (to reflect the room

illumination). If humidity is a problem, air conditioning is a must.
Light-Tight Processing Room
Exclusion of all external white light is mandatory when radiographs are
processed. This is possible by using a door that can be locked to avoid
accidental exposure, a light outside the door (indicating that the darkroom
is in use), a maze walk in (helpful for heavy traffic in and out), etc.
Safelight
Processing room must be provided with both:
a. White light - cleaning tanks and preparing the solutions
b. Safelight - provide adequate light of quality that is safe for
exposed X-ray films during handling and processing
Fluorescent lights should not be used as overhead lights, because of
their short afterglow that may fog the first few films opened after the light
has been turned off. Always remember that X-ray films are sensitive to
light until after fixation! Excessive exposure of the film to safelight
illumination will result in fog.
Factors to consider:

Type of filter
Intensity of illumination
Wattage of bulb
Distance of safelight lamp above working area
Time film is exposed to the safe light

a) Types of Filter: Amber or red filters should be used. Never use a

ruby or red light bulb as it can cause fogging. To use least amount of
light for the safelight lamp, Wratten series 6B or Morlite 2 (ML 2)
filter is advised.
b) Intensity of Illumination, Wattage and Distance of Safelight:
Intensity is controlled by wattage of the bulb and the distance of the
safelight from the working surface. The recommended minimum
distance is 120cms (4 feet) above the working surface. Intensity on
the film varies with distance and also with the wattage of the bulb,
hence, correct intensity can be obtained by adjusting either the
distance or the bulb wattage or both. For D Speed film, a 15 W bulb
should be used. For E Speed film, a 7 W bulb is recommended.

c) Time the x-ray film is exposed to safelight: It must be made

clear that there is no such thing as an absolutely safe safe-light. The
film will be fogged if it is exposed too long to any intensity light. The
question arises now for how long can a film be exposed to safelight
illumination before fog becomes apparent.
Processing Tanks
Tank processing is the simplest and most efficient procedure for
developing, rinsing, fixing and washing films with accurate temperature
control.
Two parts:

a) Master Tank It serves as water jacket to hold the insert tanks. Made
of either enamel, stainless steel or plastic (no reactive metals), it should
be large enough to provide space between insert tanks for rinsing and
washing of films.
b) Insert Tanks Removable containers for the individual processing
solutions (developer and fixer) that are made of stainless steel. They are
kept spaced in the master tank.

The processing tanks should be supplied with covers. Lid should

have a large lip to reduce exposure to light and air (oxygen). Cover the
developer and fixer tanks when not in use to keep out dirt and reduce the
rate of evaporation and oxidation.
The fresh water tank plays an important role in temperature control,
as well as eliminating the alkali (Na2CO3) from the developer and the acid
(acetic) from the fixer solution.
Hot and Cold Running Water
A temperature of 20 C for 5 minutes is recommended for obtaining
optimum quality of radiographs. Processing time is practical i.e. 5
minutes, and can be conveniently maintained.
Temperature of the water in the water tank is controlled by a
thermostatic or manual mixing valve in the water supply. Temperature of
water in the master tank in turn controls the temperature of the solutions
in the insert tanks.
Thermometer and Interval Timer

Tank thermometer: A plainly marked thermometer with both Centigrade

and Fahrenheit scales, that has a steel clip that forms a hook to hang it (or
a floating type).

Interval timer: It is used to control time of development and fixation.

Ventilation
If development and drying are done in the same room, then
ventilation should be provided to supply the room with fresh air, and for
eliminating the heated air from the dryer. Suitable drying racks should be
present where no automatic dryer is present
Storage Place
An appropriate storage area for chemicals and films is mandatory. It
should not be a general store room. Processing rooms cannot be used as
storage rooms.

Viewing Area
A radiographic viewer is used in the darkroom, when making use of
the techniques of time temperature (wet viewing), and to examine the
final product.

Dose Limits
Workers:
Cumulative effective dose over a block of five years shall not exceed 100
mSv
Effective dose in any calendar year during a five-year block shall not
exceed 30 mSv
Trainees:
Effective dose in any calendar year shall not exceed 6 mSv
Public:
Effective dose in any calendar year shall not exceed 1 mSv
Effective dose averaged over a five year period does not exceed 1
mSv/year

Conclusion
To quote Aristotle, Well begun is half done.
The proper designing of the radiographic room, and more
importantly the dark room, is essential to obtaining diagnostic quality
radiographs, with minimal safety concerns and maximum use of
resources.

References
1) P. E. S. Palmer. Manual of Darkroom Technique. WHO Basic
Radiological System. 1985.
2) Neill Serman. The Darkroom. August 2000.
3) Darkroom and Film Processing. RAD TECH A.

4) AERB Safety Code for Medical Diagnostic X-ray Equipment and

Installations. NO. AERB/SC/MED-2 (Rev. 1)
5) Indian Dental Association (IDA) Guidelines
6) Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) Guidelines
7) Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-Ray
Equipment. Department of Health. National Radiological Protection
Board 2001.