Processing of Radiographic Film

Table of Contents
1.0. PURPOSE AND SCOPE ................................................................................................................. 2
2.0. SAFETY .............................................................................................................................................. 2
3.0 MANUAL PROCESSING ...................................................................................................................... 2
3.1 Processing Films ............................................................................................................................ 2
3.2 Processing Control (Manual) ......................................................................................................... 4
4.0 AUTOMATIC PROCESSING ........................................................................................................... 4
4.1 Processing Films ............................................................................................................................ 4
4.2 Processing Control (Automatic) .................................................................................................... 5
5.0 DOCUMENTATION ...................................................................................................................... 6
6.0 STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF CONSUMABLES ................................................................................... 6
6.1 Film ................................................................................................................................................ 6
6.2 Processing Chemicals .................................................................................................................... 6

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 Processing of Radiographic Film
1.0. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure is intended to ensure that radiographic film is processed in the correct manner
so that consistent quality is achieved in the final radiograph.
It covers both Manual and Automatic Processing and the safety and environmental
considerations for both methods.

2.0. SAFETY
1. Exposure to processing chemicals and fumes is potentially hazardous.
2. Always use the Safety Kit (visor/goggles, apron, and gloves) when mixing chemicals.
3. Ensure that the ventilation system is working correctly.
4. Wash any areas of skin that come into contact with processing chemical immediately with soap
and water.
5. Wear safety glasses and avoid splash injuries to the eyes. If chemicals enter the eyes, flush
the eye thoroughly with fresh clean water for 20 minutes and seek medical attention.
6. Do not smoke in the darkroom.
7. Wash hands thoroughly after processing films (particularly before eating or smoking).
8. Be familiar with the MSDS for the products you are using and ensure that a current copy is
available.
9. Keep electrical equipment clear of water and other liquids. Ensure that all equipment is
protected by a Residual Current Device (RCD).

3.0 MANUAL PROCESSING

3.1 Processing Films
The following steps are to be taken when processing radiographs using Manual Processing
Methods.
1. Ensure all PPE is available and worn as required. Ensure darkroom is adequately ventilated.
2. Mix developing chemicals in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If chemicals are
already mixed ensure they are suitable by conducting checks.
• Check Darkroom Chemicals & Water Filter Change Log
• check developer with a PMC Strip
• check fixer by timing the clearing time of an unexposed film.
Refer also 3.2 below.
3. Ensure that hands and work surfaces are clean and dry.
4. Switch on the safelight in darkroom and switch off white lights.

• If the safelight was not already on give the mercury vapour type lamps time to attain
sufficient illumination.

5. Carefully remove the films from their packaging or cassettes and clip them individually to the
film hangers or insert into channel hangers.
6. Place hangers in developer, at 20°C for five (5) minutes (or time / temperature compensated
in accordance with film & chemical manufacturer’s recommendations whilst agitating).

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 Processing of Radiographic Film
• Ensure sufficient room is available in the developer tank, do not overcrowd.
• Make sure developer level is sufficient to completely cover the films.

7. Keep film hangers separate in developer to ensure that films do not come into contact with
each other and agitate individually for short periods during development, particularly during
the first thirty (30) seconds.
8. Remove hangers from the developer without draining (developer on film surface will be
exhausted)
9. Place hangers in the stop bath for thirty (30) seconds. Separate the films but be sure not to
scratch them with the clips.
10. Remove hangers from the stop bath, drain them.
11. Place hangers in the fixer. Separate the hangers agitate for the initial 30 seconds and leave for
at least five (5) minutes, or twice as long as they take to clear, whichever is the longest.
12. Remove hangers from fixer bath and drain.
13. Place hangers into the wash. Films should be washed in constant flowing water, at 15 - 25° C
for minimum 15 minutes. This time should be doubled for washing in static water.

14. Dry films prior to viewing and assessment.

• Film drying methods will vary according to the type of equipment available.

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 Processing of Radiographic Film
• Auto Dryer - Remove films from the hangers and place into machine rollers.
• Manual Dry – Remove films from hangers and squeegee (using a film squeegee) excess
wash water from the film surface. Hang films to dry on a line or similar. Ensure drips do
not run across the film surface during the drying process.
• Drying cabinet – Drain hangers and place into cabinet. Cabinet should have constant
warm air circulation.

15. Upon completion of processing replace covers on tanks.

Where multiple batches of films (on hangers) are being processed, place the subsequent batch
of films in the developer as soon as the first batch are in the fixer and proceed through steps
above. Repeat with successive batches.
16. Place films from each weld/splice in a separate folder, ensure that these are properly identified
are store in accordance with General Procedure P-06 Procedure for Work Execution.
17. Make sure that hangers / clips are dry before re-using.
3.2 Processing Control (Manual)
In order to ensure the quality of radiographs the photographic chemical solutions need to be
maintained. As a minimum the following steps shall be observed.
When mixing chemicals ensure that the water used is at a temperature that is less than 20° c.
It is a lot easier to heat the chemicals to the required temperature than it is to cool them
down.
1) Replenish developer with AGFA G128 solution, or equivalent, to maintain level. A complete
change should not be necessary unless drop in the film quality becomes noticeable (poor or
uneven contrast, developer contamination, etc.).
2) Change stop bath after everyone hundred (100) films and remix with 30ml of acetic acid per
liter of water (put water in first).
3) Remove and discard some stop bath solution after five (5) batches to prevent overflow due to
transferred developer.
4) Change fixer (AGFA G335 or equivalent) when films take 2 minutes to clear (necessitating 7
min fixing time) this should be after about one hundred and sixty (160) films. Mix Parts A and
B as directed on the bottle. Keep old fixer for silver recovery.
5) Change wash daily by running water through the tank.
6) Refill dryer wash when black arrow on waste receptacle is reached, or when container is
empty. Add two capfuls of AGEPON when refilling container.
7) Document change of chemicals on Form 0423 Darkroom Chemicals & Water Filter Change
Log. This form should be kept in a visible location in the darkroom.

4.0 AUTOMATIC PROCESSING

4.1 Processing Films
Although the use of the Automatic Processor facilitates greater control and consistency over
the processing of radiographs, there are certain practices that need to be observed when using
the automatic processor. These are as follows.
1. Ensure all PPE is available and worn as required. Ensure darkroom is adequately ventilated.

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 Processing of Radiographic Film
2. Mix developing chemicals in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If chemicals are
already mixed ensure that the chemicals are at sufficient levels/quantities for the amount of
processing at hand.

• Check Darkroom Chemicals & Water Filter Change Log Form

• Replenish chemicals as required.

Refer also 4.2 below.

3. Ensure that hands and work surfaces are clean and dry.
4. Switch on processor and wash water feed and allow the processor to warm up in accordance
with the manufacturers’ instructions.

• Check temperature setting is correct.

5. Switch on the safelight in darkroom and switch off white lights.

• If the safelight was not already on give the mercury vapour type lamps time to attain
sufficient illumination.

6. Carefully remove the films from their packaging or cassettes and feed them into the processor.

• Ensure there is sufficient space between each film so as to avoid the films overlapping
during the processing.

7. Place films from each weld/splice in a separate folder, ensure that these are properly identified
and stored.

4.2 Processing Control (Automatic)

In order to ensure the quality of radiographs the photographic chemical solutions need to be
maintained. As a minimum the following steps shall be observed.

When mixing chemicals ensure that the water used is at a temperature that is less than 20° c.
It is a lot easier to heat the chemicals to the required temperature than it is to cool them
down.

1. Replenish developer with AGFA G135 solution, or equivalent, to maintain level. A complete
change should not be necessary unless a drop in the film quality is noticeable (poor or uneven
contrast, developer contamination, etc.).
2. Replenish fixer (AGFA G335 or equivalent) to maintain level.
3. Change water wash filter on a regular basis (this will be dependent upon the quality of the
water supply).
4. Regularly clean the roller assemblies and crossovers in accordance with the manufacturers’
directions.
5. When the processor is not in regular use or is not to be used for some time, Remove the roller
assemblies, and drain the wash and processing tanks. This will prevent the buildup of slime etc.
in the tanks.
6. Document change of chemicals on Darkroom Chemicals & Water Filter Change Log. This form
should be kept in a visible location in the darkroom.

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 Processing of Radiographic Film
5.0 DOCUMENTATION
Evidence of compliance to this procedure is documented on the Radiographic Archive Test and
the Darkroom Chemicals and Water Filter Change Log which should be posted on the wall of
the darkroom.

6.0 STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF CONSUMABLES

6.1 Film

Unexposed film is to be stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations,

away from ionizing radiation and within the correct temperature range (usually in the air-
conditioned office/darkroom).

Upon receipt of new film, the manufacturer’s expiry date shall be noted, and film will be
stored and used so that those bearing the earliest expiry date are used first.

Any film left loose in the darkroom, that has been cut ready for a job or is left over from a
job, shall have the expiry date of the box from which it was taken written on it. If this date is
unknown, then the earliest expiry date of film in the darkroom shall be written on. In any
event, loose film should be used up first.

If any film is past its expiry date, then its base fog level is to be checked before use, and the
level and date recorded on the box. Film with a base fog level exceeding 0.3 shall be used
only as cleaners in the film processor.

'Roll Pac' film should, whenever possible, is pre-cut in a darkroom to reduce wastage and
possible light fogging from site cutting.

A number of exposed films will be checked at yearly intervals to check that the archival life of
the processed films is acceptable.

Most film used is the sealed VacPac type. Loose film loaded in cassettes with lead screens is
now used only when the situation requires it. Prior to using raw films, the following must be
observed:

1. Check cassettes for light leaks before use, damaged cassettes should be repaired
if practicable, otherwise discarded.
2. Check screens for cleanliness and blemishes before use, discard if defective.
3. Store screens face to face to protect the surfaces.

Exposed film / Radiographs shall be stored such that they are adequately preserved and are
retrievable. For details of storage requirements refer to General Procedure P-05 Procedure for
Document, Data & Records Control.

6.2 Processing Chemicals

Chemicals are to be stored in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations, away from ionizing
radiation and within the correct temperature range (usually in the darkroom or other temperature-
controlled area).

Upon receipt of new chemicals, the manufacturer’s expiry date shall be noted.

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 Processing of Radiographic Film
Chemicals will be stored and used so that those bearing the earliest expiry date are used first.

All chemicals will be mixed in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions printed on the bottles.
When mixing chemicals, the appropriate safety precautions as detailed on the MSDS shall be
observed.

Waste chemicals shall be properly disposed of as per procedure.

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