How wide must the landing outside of an egress door be in the direction of travel?

The requirement for the width of the landing outside an egress door is primarily governed by safety considerations set forth in building codes. For an egress door, the landing must be wide enough to allow for safe and efficient exit in the event of an emergency. The standard stipulated width for the landing in the direction of travel is 36 inches.

This dimension facilitates the easy passage of individuals, especially in situations where multiple occupants may be exiting simultaneously. Additionally, having a landing that is at least 36 inches wide ensures that there will be sufficient space for maneuvering and that the door can fully open without obstruction, which is crucial during an emergency evacuation.

In the context of the other options, while wider landings can offer additional space, the minimum requirement set by building codes for a landing width is specifically 36 inches, making it the correct answer for this question regarding egress door landings.