various  aspects  of  the  reproduction  process  and maintenance  of  a  typical  reproduction  machine. REPRODUCTION  ROOM Regardless   of   the   type   of   reproduction machine  used,  it  should  be  positioned  in  a room  in  such  a  manner  as  to  ensure  the  best possible  ventilation.  The  machine  should  be  set against an outside wall and an exhaust tube or an  exhaust  vent  provided  with  a  fan  should  be installed  since  ammonia  is  used  in  the  developing process. If  possible,  less  light  is  preferable  because light-sensitive   paper   is   used.   All   supplies   of sensitized  paper  and  other  materials  for  repro- duction  should  be  kept  in  a  dehumidified,  cool, and dark storage area. It is good practice to date the supplies so as to use the oldest stock first. Heat is  a  major  factor  to  consider,  no  matter  what machine is used. Ventilation  should  be  sufficient  throughout the  room,  since  the  prints,  even  after  they emerge  from  the  machine,  are  saturated  with ammonia  fumes.  The  fumes  from  ammonia  are very   powerful,   and   personnel   should   avoid excessive  inhalation.  Chemicals  used  in  developing solutions  that  come  in  powder  form  should  be stored  the  same  as  sensitized  materials.  Ammonia should  be  stored  in  shatterproof  bottles. CAUTION Ammonia   fumes   are   extremely   toxic! Burns, as well as temporary blindness, can result if you are careless while handling the solution. Since  reproduction  machines  are  energized with  electricity,  you  need  a  firm  understanding of  electrical  safety.  NEVER  touch  an  energized electrical plug, switch, or any part of electrically operated  equipment  with  wet  hands  or  while standing in water or on a wet floor. If the machine should  become  wet  or  be  in  contact  with  water while in use, you should disconnect the electrical power  source  before  attempting  to  clean  up  the area.  It  is  also  important  for  qualified  and certified  personnel  to  inspect  electrical  outlets  and connections   frequently   for   obvious   signs   of damage. REPRODUCTION  MACHINES The   process   most   commonly   used   for reproducing   construction   drawings   by   the Navy   is   the   DIAZO   or   AMMONIA   VAPOR PROCESS.  Basically,  this  process  produces  prints with a white background and blue or black lines after exposure to light. These prints are then dry developed  with  ammonia  vapor.  This  process  uses aqueous  ammonia  as  a  developing  agent  with water  vapor  as  the  carrying  agent,  causing  the paper exiting from the chamber to carry residual ammonia vapor with it. In the diazo process, the ammonia chest is saturated with water vapor at all  times  to  help  eliminate  the  toxic  ammonia vapors. Diazo  process  reproduction  machines  are made by several manufacturers, such as Blu-Ray Inc.   and   General   Analine   Film   Corp.   (GAF). Machines  formerly  made  by  GAF  were  called Ozalid.  The  machines  presently  made  are  no longer called Ozalid, only labeled GAF. However, old  Ozalid  equipment  is  still  serviced  and  repaired by  the  GAF  Corporation. The  basic  difference  between  the  various  types of diazo machines is the size of paper that they can  accommodate.  Paper  that  is  9  in.  wide  can be used on the smallest machine, and paper that is 54 in. wide can be used on the largest machine. Blu-Ray  Model  842  Whiteprinter The Blu-Ray Model 842 Whiteprinter, shown in  figure  3-61,  has  most  of  the  capabilities  of larger diazo process machines. It is ideally suited for use in battalion engineering offices, because it is easy to set up and is easily moved. It is very simple  to  operate  and  easy  to  maintain. It  is  important  that  all  EAs  thoroughly  under- stand the manufacturer’s instructions covering the operation   and   maintenance   of   the   Blu-Ray reproduction  machine  before  attempting  to  use it. Keep a current file for all reference material available for use by the operators. The machine should  be  located  as  close  as  possible  to  an electrical  outlet  that  supplies  adequate  power. (Electrical specifications are given in the operation manual.) After the machine has been assembled and set up according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the  machine  must  be  placed  on  a  level  surface, such as a table or a desk. This is very important for  proper  ammonia  drainage  and  adequate support  for  the  feet  on  the  bottom  of  the machine. 3-42