New Castle County requires 4-foot minimum pool barriers per IRC Appendix G and 16 Del. C. §3001F. Self-closing, self-latching gates mandatory. Barriers must be inspected as part of the pool permit before water is added.
New Castle County requires pool barriers meeting 2018 IRC Appendix G and Delaware's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act at 16 Del. C. §3001F. Minimum barrier height is 48 inches measured from the exterior side. Vertical spacing between pickets must not exceed 1.75 inches; chain-link openings must not exceed 1.25 inches. Gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, with the release mechanism at least 54 inches above grade. If the house wall forms part of the barrier, doors leading to the pool area must have alarms meeting UL 2017 or the pool itself must have a power safety cover. Above-ground pools with 48-inch sides may satisfy barrier requirements with a removable or lockable ladder. Inspection is required before final pool permit approval and water fill.
Non-compliant barrier at inspection: pool cannot be filled until corrected. Operating pool without required barrier: Notice of Violation, civil penalty $250 to $1,000, pool use prohibited. Injury or drowning from non-compliant barrier: potential civil liability and criminal negligence charges.
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