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Darkroom Technique

Introduction

This section describes a very simple step-by-step guide to darkroom techniques, and
outlines all the basic requirements for the storage and handling of x-ray films and
processing equipment; it is not intended to provide solutions for every problem that may
arise in the darkroom.

The introductory section is as important as the illustrated pages that follow and must be
read first because it describes many of the difficulties encountered in the darkroom. The
operator should re-read the introduction after a month or two of working in the darkroom,
by which time he will have become familiar with the techniques involved and may need
to be reminded of some of the details.

Many of the errors in x-ray diagnosis arise because of faults in processing. In terms of
patient care, a poor-quality radiograph may be more harmful than the patient not having
an x-ray examination at all. Adherence to the routine process is extremely important in
providing radiographs of high quality and ensuring optimum health care.

Introduction to Processing

X-ray film

X-ray film is made of a transparent plastic sheet, coated on both sides with an emulsion.
This emulsion is sensitive to white light and x-rays, and becomes black when exposed to
either of these two types of radiation. The emulsion is soft and can easily be damaged if
not handled in the correct way.

A film that has not been exposed to light or x-rays will be transparent and clear after
processing; there should be no haziness or gray-black patches. To maintain the films in
good condition, it is important that they are stored and handled properly. The following
points should be remembered.

a. Each packet of film has a date marked on the box. The date is printed by the
manufacturer and informs you how long a film will last. After this date the
film is too old to give satisfactory results. You cannot achieve good results
with old films.
b. Films should be kept in the coolest place available, both day and night. If
films are stored at a high temperature, they will be spoiled several months
before the expiry date marked on the packet.
c. Any film that has been accidentally exposed to x-rays will be spoiled
(fogged). Never store films in or near the x-ray room. It is quite safe to store
x-ray films (in their boxes) with other items such as food or drugs. They
should not be stored where they may get wet or where they are exposed to any
sort of gas (ammonia, gas for heating, etc.).

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d. X-ray films are sensitive to pressure. Do not store the boxes of film lying on
top of one another, but put them on a shelf in an upright position like books on
a bookshelf.
e. X-ray film is easily marked or scratched. Do not touch the film surface with
your fingernails or other hard objects such as scissors, knives, or screwdrivers.
Your hands must be clean and dry when you handle the film. Do not bend the
film. Keep the film away from dust.

Cassettes and screens

The cassette protects the film from exposure to daylight but allows the passage of x-rays
through the front cover on to the film.

The cassette holds two white “screens” in place on either side of the film. These screens
glow when x-rays pass through them (inside the cassette) and the glow from the screens
helps to make the image on the x-ray film. The screens should be handled with great care,
as they are expensive and very easily damaged.

It is important that cassettes are maintained in good condition; otherwise x-ray films
exposed inside them may be spoiled. The following are some causes of marks on
processed film.

a. Daylight or whit light leaking into the cassette will spoil the film. This may
occur as a result of damage to the locks of the cassette or because the edges of
the cassette do not fit tightly. Marks thus caused appear dark or black on
processed film and always occur in the same place and in the same shape on
each film that has been exposed in the damaged cassette. If marks occur on
every film exposed in all cassettes of one size, then the film box has been
damaged (see (f) below).
b. Daylight may leak into the cassette if the cassette itself is damaged; if it is
dropped or stored under a heavy weight, it will bend and may let light on to
the film even when the sides appear shut.
c. Dirt (dust or grit) in the cassette may scratch and damage the screens. Screens
must be checked and cleaned regularly, using a mild solution (see “Cleaning
the cassettes and screens,” page 20 )
d. Fingernails or other hard objects can easily damage the screens. When taking
a film out of the cassette, do not use your fingernails, but turn the cassette
over and let the film drop out. Never use a screwdriver, keys, scissors, a knife,
or anything similar near an open cassette, especially not inside it.
e. Processing chemicals will damage the screens. Be careful not to splash
chemicals or chemical powder on to the screens and make sure that there are
no chemicals on your fingers or on the bench when you empty or reload the
cassettes.
f. If marks occur on every film exposed in cassettes of one size, then the film
box has been damaged. Check the first film out of every box by processing it

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in the usual way, but without previously exposing it to light or x-rays. It

should be clean, clear, and transparent, with no marks or shadows on it.

The darkroom

When the door of the darkroom is shut, there must not be any light coming into the
darkroom. To check this, go into the darkroom, close the door, and stay inside without
light for 10 minutes. (Set the processing timer to make sure you have really spent 10
minutes in the dark.) Then look around carefully for any light entering the room through
holes or cracks; cover these holes, thus blocking out the light. If the darkroom has a “light
trap” instead of a door, make sure that light does not leak in through the trap. Check the
darkroom at different times of the day, to allow for changes in the angle of the sun’s rays.

The darkroom should be clean at all times. Both the bench (or table) and the floor
must be kept clean and dry. There should be no dust, dirt, or moisture in the area where
the x-ray films and cassettes are handled. The floor should be wiped with a damp mop or
cloth every week.

The tanks containing the processing chemical should also be kept very clean, and should
be covered when not actually in use. The covers must be put on the tanks whenever you
leave the darkroom, even if only for a short time.

Safelights

The lights used in the darkroom may be green, orange, yellow, or brown. Check the box
containing the x-ray film: the manufacturer prints on the box the details of the color filter
needed for processing the film. If you receive a different make of film, you should
immediately check which filter is needed and ensure that you are using the correct one.
All safelights should be at least 1.3 m (4 ft.) above the working bench and should
preferably be pointing upwards. The bulbs used in the safelights should never exceed 25
watts (25 W).

Fogging of films in the darkroom

If the processed films are hazy and you suspect that the fogging may be occurring in the
darkroom, check that no light is entering the room from outside. If the room is lightproof,
test the amount of light in the room itself in the following way: With the darkroom door
closed and only the safelights on, place an x-ray film on the bench. Carefully place two or
three metal objects (such as coins, keys, or a pair of scissors) on top of the film and leave
the film there with only the safelights on for at least 5 minutes. Then process the film. If
the film shows the shadows of the objects placed on it, there is too much light in the
darkroom.

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Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the colored filter damaged? Check the filter to make sure it is not blistered,
scratched, or losing its color.

• Is the bulb too strong? Make sure it is 25 W or less.

• Are there too many safelights?

If there is any image on the film, there is too much light in the darkroom. You must find
the source, or all the films processed in the darkroom will be spoiled.

Remember: Films can be fogged by light even when immersed in the processing
chemicals. Never switch on the white light or open the door while films are being
processed.

Processing

Processing is a series of actions by which exposed x-ray film yields an image. In

processing a film, the sequence of actions should be as follows:
(a) Mark the patient’s name on the film.
(b) Develop the film.
(c) Rinse developer from the film.
(d) Fix the film.
(e) Wash the fixer from the film.
(f) Dry the film.
(g) Check the name, date, and patient number on the film, and check for left (L)
and right (R) markers.

These steps are described in detail below. Steps a-d must be carried out with only the
safelights on.

(a) Marking the film. The patient’s name should be written on the film when it is
taken out of the cassette before it is put into the developer. The film may be marked with
pencil or ink.

(b) Developing. The film is now ready to be developed. The film should be put
into a tank of developer and moved up and down once or twice in the tank, The film
should then be left to develop. The time taken for the film to develop depends on the
temperature of the chemical solutions. The temperature of the developer should be
measured in the morning and afternoon with the thermometer provided. The temperature-
time table below gives the time, in minutes, that the film must stay in the developer at the
given temperature. When the film is placed in the developer, set the timer to the number
of minutes required for that temperature. The film should only be removed when the
clock has stopped timing.

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Temperature –time table

Temperature of developer °C Temperature of developer °F Developing time (minutes)
15 59 7
16 61 6½
17 62.5 6
18 64.5 5½
19 66 5
20 68 4½
21 70 4
22 71.5 3½
23 73.5 3

The temperature-time table is correct for standard x-ray processing chemicals that have
been changed regularly. Different chemicals may have different developing times, so
check the instructions on the container.

(c) Rinsing. After developing, the film should be rinsed for about 30 seconds in
clean water. During this time the film should be lifted up and down several times in the
water tank. Remember: There should be no white light in the darkroom at this time.

(d) Fixing. After the film has been rinsed, it should be put in the fixing tank. The
film should stay in this tank for at least 5 minutes (the film will not be damaged if it is
left for longer than 5 minutes). There must be no white light in the darkroom for the first
3 minutes of fixing time.

(e) Washing. After it has been fixed, the film should be washed in the large
washing tank. (This tank usually has clean running water.) The film should stay in the
water tank for at least 30 minutes (it will not be damaged if it is left longer than 30
minutes). At this time the white light may be on provided no other films are being
processed.

(f) Drying. The film is now ready to be dried. The drying temperature must not
exceed 35° C, and the film must be hung in a dust-free area.

(g) Checking. Finally, the dry developed film should be checked to ensure that the
name of the patient, the hospital number, the date, and the L or R marker can all be read
easily. After checking, the film can be put in a completed envelope and filed. (see “x-ray
film files”, p 7).

Maintenance of the processing tank

The processing tank holds the solutions of developer and fixer, and water for rinsing and
washing the films. The developing and fixing solutions should be changed regularly,
since they become weaker with use and age. Remember: these chemicals can damage
skin and clothing. Rinse your hands immediately if you spill any chemicals on them.

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The following notes describe the routine maintenance of the processing tank and its
contents.

(a) Each day, before any films are processed, the developer and the fixer should
be stirred using only the special rods provided for each solution. The slightest
mixture of these two chemicals upsets the processing, so never mix the tanks
or the stirring rods used for the two chemical solutions. The developing rod
should only be used for the developer and the fixing rod only for the fixer.
The developing tank should contain only developer, and the fixing tank, only
fixer.
(b) The developing tank and fixing tank should be kept full of developer and
fixer, respectively, at all times. Extra developer and fixer should be kept in
separate bottles in the darkroom for topping-up the tanks (see “Preparing the
Processing Tank,” p. 12).
(c) Both the developer and the fixer solutions in their respective tanks must be
completely changed every 30 days (this 30-day interval) may be shortened
according to the advice of your instructor-radiographer if many x-ray films
have been processed). Never keep chemical solutions that have been in use for
more than one month, even if only a few films have been processed in them.
(d) The water used to rinse off developer from the film should be completely
changed every day and the tank should be kept full.
(e) Running water should preferably be used to wash off fixer from the film. If
this is not possible, the water tank must be large, and the water must be
changed every day. (Dirty water contains chemicals, which will spoil the films
– a waste of money and time).
(f) The chemical solutions (developer and fixer) and rinsing and washing water
should be kept at about the same temperature. Check that the water running
into the tank in the afternoon is not too hot. If the water is hot, it will be better
to change the water in the tank early in the morning and not to add any more
water that day. The water coming into the tank should be as clean as possible.
If the water is muddy or dirty ask for a filter. The filter should be cleaned
every week. You should always be able to see the bottom of the tank through
the water.

Record-keeping and filing

Every x-ray department should keep the following records.

(a) A register containing names and personal details of the patients, and the type
of x-ray examinations made (see “The patient register” below). This register
may also include the diagnosis if available.
(b) The x-ray films for each patient (the x-ray film file), The films should be kept
for at least 5 years.
(c) Details of: the number and size of films used each month (a separate record
for each size of film); the chemicals used each month; and the drugs used each
month (the supply record).

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The patient register

Patient records should be kept in a register; entries should be made under the series of
column headings listed below. The register should be completed by the x-ray operator
every day. The record of each day’s work should include the names and personal details
of every patient x-rayed, with details of every x-ray examination turned out in the 24-
hour period.

The column headings should include:

„ the date of the examination;
„ the patient’s family name and first name;
„ the patient’s hospital number;
„ the patients birth date and sex;
„ the type of x-ray examination made;
„ the name of the doctor requesting the x-ray;
„ the number of films used of each size; and
„ the diagnosis made from the films.

The records contained in the patient register are very important and can be helpful in
tracing x-ray films (should they be needed) or a patient and his/her diagnosis. These
records will also help you to calculate (1) how many films of each size are used every
year; (2) any change in the number of x-rays taken from one year to the next; and (3) the
types of x-ray examination that are most frequently requested. These records are very
helpful to both doctors and the administration, and will help to ensure good care of the
patients.

X-ray film files

All processed x-ray films should be kept in large envelopes. There must be one envelope
for each patient; it should have the patient’s name and hospital number clearly written on
the outside. The number should be on the outside top corner of the envelope so that it is
visible when the envelope is filed. The date and type of each examination should also be
Written on the outside of the envelope, for example:

26 January 2000, chest

1 February 2001, left wrist

X-ray films should not be filed in the x-ray room or darkroom. The room chosen for
filing should be dry and should contain strong shelves to hold the films. The shelves must
have upright supports every 45 cm (18 inches), because x-ray films are very heavy. The
envelopes should not lie flat but stand in an upright position, like books on a bookshelf.
The envelopes should be filed in order, according to the patient’s hospital number (not by
name). The number should always be on the outside edge of the film envelope.

It is a good idea to categorize the envelopes by year. This can be done by sticking a small
colored tab on the outer bottom corner of each envelope using a different color for each

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year. When the patient returns for more x-rays the tab is changed to indicate the current
year. Only one color code should show on any envelope, for example:

Yellow -1997
Green -1998
Yellow and green -1999
Red -2000
Blue -2001
Red and blue -2002

This method makes it easy to recognize the envelope by year. The film files should be
checked in January of each year and all the envelopes that are 5 years old (as indicated by
the colored tab) should be removed from the files (e.g., in January, 2001, take out all the
envelopes from 1996). These will contain the x-ray films of patients who have not been
x-rayed for 5 years. These discarded films should be sent back to the head office of the
hospital administration so that the materials can be reclaimed. (The 5-year interval may
be altered to suit local requirements.)

When films are removed from the file for reference purposes and sent to the doctor or to
another hospital, a clearly marked card showing the patient’s name and hospital number
should be put into the place from which the films were taken. This card should remain in
place until the films are returned, when the card can be removed.

X-ray films are an important part of each patient’s health record. They should be looked
after carefully, filed properly, kept in order, and be available when the patient comes
back to the hospital to be x-rayed again. Any new films should be filed with the patient’s
previous films; each time, the colored tab indicating the year should be checked and
changed if necessary, and the date and type of the latest examination should be recorded
on the front of the envelope. The envelope should be re-filed each time the doctor has
used it. If the envelope becomes too full, a second one should be started and a note made
on the font of each envelope that there are now two envelopes for that patient. If an
envelope becomes damaged, the x-ray films inside should be transferred to a new
envelope, making sure that all the information is recorded on the front of the new
envelope from the old one before the old one is thrown away.

Keeping the x-ray film file up to date is hard work, but it is essential.

Illustrated Instructions for the Processing of x-ray films

This section gives step-by-step illustrated instructions on how to process (develop, rinse,
fix, and wash) exposed x-ray films in the darkroom. Instructions are also given on how to
mix the developer and fixer solutions, and look after the equipment.

Read the “Introduction to processing” (page 1) first and then follow the illustrated
instructions very carefully.

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x-ray films, film-boxes, and cassettes

X-ray films are available in four sizes, but some

machines use only two or three sizes. The films
are kept in film-boxes, which must never be
opened in daylight or white light, otherwise
the films will be spoiled and unusable.

Open the film boxes in the darkroom with

only the colored safelights on. All the other
lights should be off and the door closed
before you start. The bulb used in the
colored safelight should not exceed 25W; a
15 W bulb is best.

When an x-ray is taken, the films are

exposed in a cassette, which is a type
of metal or plastic envelope. Inside the
closed cassette, the films are safe from
visible light but can be exposed to
x-rays. The cassette should only be
opened in the darkroom under the
safelights.

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The darkroom

The darkroom should contain the

equipment shown on the plan. The
darkroom must always be kept clean
and tidy. The chemicals used during
processing can damage the cassettes,
the x-ray films, and even wood or
concrete, so wipe up any spills
immediately.

On one side of the darkroom there

should be a dry workbench for the
films, clean film hangars, film-boxes
and cassettes. Your hands must be
dry when you work at this bench.

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The processing tank holds the chemicals

And washing water for processing the
x-ray films. The developer and the fixer
must always be kept separate, in their own
tanks, which usually stand inside the
processing tank.

Loading the cassettes

Take the cassettes into the

darkroom. Your hands must
be dry and clean. Turn on the
safelights. Close the door to
the darkroom. Put the cassette
on the dry bench. Turn off the
white lights. After a few minutes
you will become used to the dim
light of the safelights and you will
be able to see quite well.

Open the cassette. Take a film of

the appropriate size from the film box.
Open the cassette fully and slide the
film into the cassette. Make sure
that the film does not overlap at
any edge.

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Close the cassette. Close the film box.

never lock the cassette without a film
inside.

Put the loaded cassettes into the

cassette hatch on the side containing
unexposed film. (The hatch should
be be divided into two compartments –
one reserved for cassettes containing
unexposed film and the other for
exposed films awaiting processing.)

Preparing the processing tank

The chemicals used to process x-ray films are delivered in glass or plastic bottles if they
are in solution (i.e., already mixed in water) or in boxes or tins if they are solid (not yet
mixed with water). Each will be clearly marked “developer” (D) or “fixer” (F).
Chemicals must be mixed outside the darkroom in a well-ventilated room because during
mixing they give off fumes that can damage your lungs. Special buckets should be used
for mixing the chemicals and special rods for stirring. Buckets and mixing rods should be
marked with “D” for developer, and with “F” for fixer.

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Read the instructions on the bottle or

packet and then mix the chemicals as
to when water should be added
and how much should be added. Try not
to splash the floor or your clothes as the
chemicals can damage them. If you get
any chemical on your skin, wash it off
immediately.

The developing and fixing tanks

in the darkroom must be clean.
if the tanks are full of old developer
and old fixer solutions, empty the
tanks by pouring their contents
down the special drain in the
darkroom. Do not pour the chemical
solutions on the ground or down an
ordinary drain. Wash the chemical
tanks with water. Do not use soap
or washing solutions. When the
tanks are clean, turn them upside
down to drain until they are dry,
then put them back into the
processing tank.

Take the buckets containing fresh

developer and fixer into the darkroom
and fill up the developing and fixing tanks.
Make sure that you always use the same
tank for each chemical. Never put developer
into a tank that has previously been used for
fixer chemicals, and never put fixer into
a tank that has previously been used for
fixer chemicals, and never put fixer into
a tank that has previously been used for developing.

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Put any extra developer or fixer into a storage bottle

marked “D” or “F”, as appropriate. These bottles
can then be used to top up the tanks, as necessary.
Always use the same bottle for the same chemical.

Top up the water tanks to 2 cm (½ in.) from the top.

Put the lid on the developing tank and put another
lid on the fixing tank.

Wipe up any chemical solution that has spilled on the floor inside or outside the
darkroom. Wipe the edges of the processing tank and the surrounding tiles with a
clean cloth. Wash your hands with soap and water.

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The level of the chemicals in the tanks should be replenished from the storage bottles
every few days, as necessary. How often this is done depends on how much the
processing tank is used.

FRESH CHEMICALS MUST BE MADE EVERY MONTH.

Processing the exposed x-ray film

Take the cassette containing the exposed film into the darkroom. If you have not already
checked the temperature of the developer with the thermometer, do so now. (You should
check the temperature in the morning and in the afternoon.) Look at the temperature-time
table to determine the number of minutes that are necessary for the film to be properly
developed.

Temperature –time table

Temperature of developer °C Temperature of developer °F Developing time (minutes)
15 59 7
16 61 6½
17 62.5 6
18 64.5 5½
19 66 5
20 68 4½
21 70 4
22 71.5 3½
23 73.5 3

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Turn on the colored safelights and turn

off the white lights in the darkroom.
Make sure that the door is closed.

Unlock the cassette, turn it

over, then open it and take out
the x-ray film. Make sure that
you do not bend the film because
this will mark it.

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Put the film on the dry bench and write the

patient’s name and number in pencil in the
top right hand corner. If you have a
special film-marker, follow the instructions
on the marker.

Take a film-hanger to match the size of film,

and clip the film on to it. Clip the bottom
edge first.

Take the lid off the developing tank and put the film in the developer. Lift the hanger and
Film up and down 5-cm (2 inches) two or three times. The leave the film in the
developer.

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Set the timing clock for the number of minutes required (see temperature-time table) and
start timing.

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Meanwhile, dry your hands and take a fresh film from the film box. Put the film into
the empty cassette. Close the cassette.

Put the cassette into the cassette hatch ready for use again.

When the clock rings, the film is ready to be taken out of the developer. Lift out the film-
hanger, taking care not to let drips of the solution run back into the developer. Dip the
film two or three times into the washing water. Then put the film into the tank of fixer
and leave it there for at least 5 minutes (more than 5 minutes will not damage the film).

After 5 minutes, take the film

hanger out of the fixing tank
and put it into the large
washing tank. It is now safe
to turn on the white light in
the darkroom.

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But make sure that the lids are on all x-ray film boxes, all the x-ray cassettes are closed,
and no other x-ray films are in the developing or fixing tanks. Leave the film in the
washing tank for about 30 minutes.

Take the film hanger out of the washing

tank after 30 minutes and hang the film
to dry either in the hanger from the
drying rack or from clips.

The films may be hung over concrete or tiled floors; if the floor is make of wood, an
enamel or galvanized tray must be placed under the drying films. Wooden floors will be
damaged by the drips of solution from the films.

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When the film is dry, take it down from the

clips or out of the hanger and check the
patient’s name. If the name is written in
pencil, write it again in white ink on the
film, adding the date and the patient’s
hospital number. Make sure that the left
(L) and the right (R) side of the film are
clearly indicated.

Cleaning the cassettes and screens

Inside the cassette are two white screens that reflect the x-rays on to the film. Screens
must not be scratched and chemicals must be kept away from them. Scratches and spots
on the screens will show up as confusing marks on the processed x-ray film. The screens
should be inspected every month (before the chemicals are changed) and cleaned if
necessary. They must be cleaned once every six (6) months at least.

To clean the screens take all the x-ray cassettes into the darkroom. Close the door. Turn
off the white light and turn on the safelights. Open a cassette, take out the film and put
it into a film box with other unused x-ray films of the same size. Empty all the cassettes
in this way. Put the lid on the film box.

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Take the cassettes out of the

darkroom to a clean dry table. To clean
them, moisten a cloth with soap solution (or
any mild cleaning solution. Fully open the
cassette and carefully wipe the screens,
removing all the stains and dust and taking
care not to scratch them. (The cloth should
preferably be made of cotton, not man-made
material.) Then, using a dry cloth, wipe off
all the moisture.

Leave the cassettes open standing on

their sides until they are completely dry.
The best place to leave the cassettes is
on the dry workbench of the darkroom.
Never leave the cassettes to dry in a
windy or dusty place. The white lights
should be switched off while the cassettes
are drying.

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When the cassettes are completely dry go back into the darkroom, close the door, turn on
the safelights and reload the cassettes in the usual way with unused film. Close the
cassettes and put them into the cassette hatch ready for use. Make sure that the lids are on
the film boxes before you turn on the wrong light.

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