A top landing is not required for a stairway of how many risers located on the exterior side of the door?

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A top landing is typically required for stairways to provide a safe transition from the stairway to the adjacent walking surface, but the codes have specific exemptions based on the number of risers involved. When a stairway comprises four risers or fewer, the requirement for a top landing may be waived, specifically when the stairway is located at the exterior side of a door.

This exemption simplifies certain design and construction aspects, particularly for small, outdoor stairways leading to doors, where incorporating a top landing might not be feasible or necessary for safety, given the low elevation difference involved. As a result, a stairway with four risers does not require a top landing, as long as these parameters are respected.

In contrast, stairways with five risers or more typically necessitate a landing at the top for compliance with building and safety codes, thereby ensuring safety and proper egress in more complex or potentially hazardous situations.