The EncapSuliteŽ Safelight was designed and developed in conjunction with Kodak and Agfa-Gevaert (UK) in 1976. The tough clear Polycarbonat sleeve and clip-on aluminium end caps encapsulate a white fluorescent tube and immediately protect the lamp. In event of breakage, the EncapSuliteŽ sleeve will contain the dangerous glass fragments, thereby protecting both personnel and expensive equipment.
The special polyester filters, coated both sides for safety are enclosed within the polycarbonate sleeve and control the light source to very precise margins, giving maximum illumination levels and a generous safe handling time.
Why Fluorescent Safelights?
One 5ft safelight will produce more illumination than three or more lantern type safelights, which tend to create "pools" of light and dark areas. Fluorescent safelights give "all over" lighting levels with no dark areas. Unlike hot tungsten bulbs which quickly burn out and also produce rapid filter deterioration, the fluorescent runs cool and lasts infinitely longer, saving on both current consumption and maintenance costs. The EncapSuliteŽ is easily installed in existing batten units and where the batten is of the new "TWISTFIT" design, a simple plastic key is supplied to aid fitting.
Installation
Having established from the Recommendation listings which Safelight you require, you will need to know how many, what length and what distance should be considered for safe working levels.
Conditions can vary from location to location and the following must be treated as a guideline only.
How many? Generally speaking a 4/5ft unit is ideal for up to 50sp.ft (approx 5sp. metres) and pro rata thereafter.
What distance? Tests during the development of new safelights are conducted at a 5ft. (1,5 metres) distance above the test platform. It is a recognised fact that the nearer the Safelight, the less safe it will become and, conversely, the further away then the margin of safety increases. This should be considered if slight fogging takes place as the problem can easily be overcome by moving the Safelight further away.
What is safe handling time? This varies dramatically from 3 minutes for Scanner film to 15 minutes or more for Slow Orthochromatic types. Generally, film and paper sensitivity has increased dramatically over recent years, hence the specialist safelight now available. For multi-printing or limited step and repeat process, the usual safelight recommendation may not apply. Perhaps a darker safelight should be repositioned further away or it can be blanked off so that light does not fall directly upon the work area. We will be pleased to advise if you experience any difficulties.
Is your darkroom safe?
Before installing any form of safelight, especially for the latest more sensitive faster film types, the discerning darkroom technician should verify that his darkroom is truly dark. It has, all too frequently been demonstrated that many darkroom is NOT safe. Stray light can be the cause of persistent fogging and can be traced to the afterglow of a white fluorescent lamp or instrument panel lights which can reflect off an operator's white shirt or even the usual ingress of light through water or power outlets, supply joints or door surrounds. A simple DEAD TEST should prove the efficiency of your darkroom and we suggest the following procedure before installing new safelights, or commissioning a new darkroom.
Test Procedures
1. Pre-expose a sample piece of your most sensitive film or paper.
2. Switch OFF all safelights.
3. Complete a 5 minute step test of 1 minute intervals in total darkness.
4. Process as normal.
If your test is fog free then you know that your darkroom is safe. You may, however, be in for a surprise and discover that your darkroom is not safe.
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