The Darkroom

Questions

·  So where exactly is the darkroom?
·  How can I get the key to the darkroom?
·  Do I have to book the darkroom?
·  When is the darkroom open?
·  Do I need to pay for use of materials?
·  How do I dispose of waste?
·  What happens if I break something?
·  Are there any safety considerations?

Answers

·  So where exactly is the darkroom?

On the first floor of the Union Society building. Going in the main entrance, go up to reception and turn right. Go
straight past the Cochrane Lounge and up the stairs to the next floor. Turn right out of the stairwell and the darkroom is right in front of
you.

[ Back to Top ]

·  How can I get the key to the darkroom?

Simply surrender your Society Membership card at Reception together with your University Smart Card and a crisp £5 note and the key shall be yours. You will have to sign it out also. You will receive everything back (smart card, membership card and £5 deposit) upon safe return of the keys.

[ Back to Top ]

·  Do I have to book the darkroom?

Not at present, although please limit your sessions to no more than a couple of hours. If there are problems with room availability we may need to initiate a booking system - let the committee know if you are having problems getting into the darkroom.

[ Back to Top ]

·  When is the darkroom open?

You can get into the darkroom any day on which the Unon Society building is open, although use of the darkroom is prohibited on Club nights (wednesdays and fridays after 7pm).

[ Back to Top ]

·  Do I need to pay for use of materials?

At present we will cover the use of darkroom chemicals and papers as part of the society's membership fee, though we will ask you to log what you have used and also to inform us if anything runs out (preferably before it runs out) so we can purchase more. Again, since the darkroom has not been heavily used in the past this mode of operation has been fine; however if the darkroom is used extensively we may well need to start charging for the use of chemicals in the form of 'darkroom credits'.

[ Back to Top ]

·  How do I dispose of waste?

There will be two bins for solid waste - a normal waste paper basket and a broken glass bin.  Hopefully there will be no need to use the glass bin, but breakages can happen and it is as well to have the bin there just in case.  There is no running water in the darkroom unfortunately, so there are buckets for collecting water from the toilets.  Chemical waste can go down the toilets, but flush several times afterwards to ensure no harm comes to the next 'user'.  Do NOT pour waste down the sinks.

Bear in mind that most chemicals can be used multiple times - Please log the use of any chemicals so we know how many times a given preparation has been used.

[ Back to Top ]

·  What happens if I break something?

Breakages do happen, no matter how careful we are. If you break something or notice something broken, let the committee know as soon as it happens so we can get it fixed as soon as possible.  There will be no recriminations for reporting it straight away - breakages happen - but if they are not reported then that disrupts other people's enjoyment of the darkroom.

[ Back to Top ]

·  Are there any safety considerations?

Safety glasses and gloves are provided and you must wear them when using chemicals. Please also wash the exterior of the gloves once you have finished in the darkroom so they are not left covered in chemicals for the next person. There is also a rip-top eyewash bottle - instructions for use will be explained at the induction sessions. Finally - NO FOOD AND DRINK in the darkroom UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Any disregard for safety in the darkroom may result in the society losing the use of the darkroom so please take care.

[ Back to Top ]