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Geospatial Quality Council
AERIAL FILM PROCESSING
| 1. Densitometer Calibration | ||
| Provide information on model, aperture size, filter types, and serial number of the densitometer. | ||
| Provide copies of daily check plaque readings for the past 30 days and include current date (when processing EPA's film). | ||
| Provide copy of most recent calibrations on the densitometer. | ||
| 2. Sensitometer Calibration | ||
| Provide copies of sensitometer type, model, and most recent date of the calibration. | ||
| Sensitometric strips from a calibrated sensitometer shall be exposed (on the edge) at the beginning and end of each roll of film before processing. | ||
| The sensitometric strip shall be read, plotted, and gamma or contrast index calculated. | ||
| 3. Print Processing Calibration | ||
| Prior to processing of prints, the processing machine shall be certified to be in control by processing manufacturer's pre-exposed control strip and verified with a calibration transmission densitometer. Copies of this calibration plot shall be enclosed with each prints processing task via processing chemicals/machine and EPA Project Number. Copies of the plot showing current condition before processing EPA prints and with the limits provides by the photo manufacture as identified in manuals similar to Kodak Manuals Z-123, Z-109, Z-99 and others. Photocopy copies are acceptable, if colors are written or identified on pre-exposed strips and plots. | ||
| 4. Quality Control | ||
| Quality control shall be assured by adherence to Kodak publication GS-113, Monitoring Systems for Processing Kodak Color Aerial Films. | ||
| 5. Emergency Episodes | ||
| EPA has the responsibility of responding to environmental threats which requires rapid response of aerial photography data collection and analysis. Photo process and quality assurance shall be provided on a priority basis. The film shall be process and shipped to EPA-Las Vegas in the most expeditious manner, e.g., airline counter-to-counter small package service within 24 hours. | ||
| 6. Film Processing Calibration | ||
| Prior to processing of original film, the processing machine shall be certified to be in control by processing Kodak's pre-exposed control strip and verified with a calibration transmission densitometer. Copies of this calibration plot shall be enclosed with each roll of film. Photocopy copies are acceptable, if colors are written or identified on pre-exposed strips and plots. | ||
| Equipment shall be in good mechanical condition and capable of maintaining the required solution temperatures and automatic replenishment in accordance with the specification for film being processed. The processor will be operated and maintained in accordance with the appropriate operations manual. Film shall be processed within three (3) working days (if not deemed an emergency) and return to EPA in Las Vegas. All calibration data shall be enclosed with each roll of film. | ||
| The film shall be processed in a continuous transport machine equivalent to a Kodak RT 1411 or 1811 film processor using EA-5 chemistries and in accordance with "Kodak Data for Aerial Photography; M-29," and "Monitoring Systems for Processing Kodak Color Aerial Films; GS-113." | ||
| 7. H&D Log-E Graphs and QA Documentation | ||
| H&D shall have Date Processed, Control Number, EPA Project Number, Name of Person running QA, Film/Print Type, Emulsion Number, and Expiration Date. Exposure Data required are Sensitometer Name/Model, Illuminant in Kelvin Degrees, Exposure Time, and Filters. Processing Data required are Processor Name/Model, Chemistry, Speed, Tanks, Temperature, and Time. Densitometry data required are Instrument Name/Model, Type, Aperture Size, Filter, D-Max, D-Min, Base+Fog, Gamma or Contrast Index. Additional information is acceptable. | ||
| Above information shall be provided with QA checking of processors and chemicals using pre-exposed. A Copy of information provided with the Master pre-exposed strip shall, also, be provided. | ||
| 8. Film Screening | ||
| The film shall be screened for defects after processing and a written memorandum report provided with the film. Defects associated with the camera/magazine or processor shall be identified. It shall be required to call EPA immediately if film has serious defects and must be re-flown. | ||
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The contractor or subcontractor shall have the ability to screen, scale, and check processed films against flight maps to determine the desired coverage was achieved during data collection. |
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