Hi everyone,

I am setting up a darkroom rental space with multiple enlargers in one room-- like a school. I am have trouble finding info about how to set it up--- the layout and design. Does anyone know where I can find information about how to do this?

-- Chris A. (chrisallio@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002

Answers

The rental darkroom I use has 4 enlargers and a long sink in one room. (Darkroom Studios, Merchantville, NJ, 1-856-488-1546) As long as you are not located near the Merchantville market area, I'd bet they'll advise you.

-- Jeff Polaski (polaski@acm.org), February 28, 2002.

Try The Darkroom Source. I don't know if he specifically addresses rental darkrooms, but I bet you could write to him and he would offer useful advice.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), February 28, 2002.

Kodak had an excellent publication at one time..."Photolab Design" pub K-13...it's probably out of print now, but had sample floorplans for several labs, ranging from schools to commercial studios & law enforcement etc. Some big companies, like Kreonite for one, and suppliers like Fuller D'Albert etc. will offer turnkey darkroom design & lab equipment as well.....we used some of this stuff in our newer lab, but designed it ourselves more or less...nd Kodak used to offer design consultation as well. They did an in-house lab within the system I work for and did a top-notch job...that was about 20 yrs. back I guess....it all depends on your budget I guess....but try calling around to the big vendors in your area...if you can afford the cabinets & lab gear some of those places offer--revolving doors etc., they can offer design solutions as well....good luck, as always:Opinions expressed in this message may not represent the policy of my agency

-- DK THompson (kthompson@moh.dcr.state.nc.us), February 28, 2002.

here...this is kreonite:

http://www.kreonite.com/

go to the Kreolab heading. If you go for a rental lab, think about insurance requirements & safety as well...emergency exits, ventilation, eyewashes etc.....stuff like concrete floors & floor drains are great if you can get that far...don't want to sound alarmist or too anal, but if it were me--I'd go for the CYA all-out safety scenario to protect myself from any unforeseen accidents from users....if you can afford 'em....those Kreonite cabinets & enlarging stations are great.....some other manufacturers to try would be Regal/Arkay, California Stainless, maybe Colex (?? dunno--they do processors mostly), ESECO--for revolving doors etc. and last, but not least--try your local & state surplus lots for used lab gear....I see alot of places going digital & surplusing entire wet labs full of this sort of gear....if your school is within a public system, your agency usualky gets first pick of surplused gear--at least in my state--if the school is a non-profit/public one, and you can get access to Federal surplus...that's the best of all. Hope this helps,

Opinions expressed in this message may not represent the policy of my agency.

-- DK Thompson (kthompson@moh.dcr.state.nc.us), February 28, 2002.