In what situation are doors or gates allowed to open directly onto a stairway?

Doors or gates are allowed to open directly onto a stairway when a platform is provided. This is because a platform creates a safe landing area, which helps to prevent accidents and provides adequate space for individuals to enter or exit without immediately stepping onto the stairs. This design consideration is crucial for maintaining safe egress in buildings, as it reduces the risk of falls or obstruction at the top of the stairway.

The other options do not fully address the safety concerns associated with doors opening onto stairs. Simply having wider stairs, installing a handrail, or having doors that swing away from the stairway can enhance safety but do not provide the necessary buffer or staging area that a platform does. Hence, the presence of a platform is the most effective solution to ensure that ingress and egress are both safe and feasible.