Which type of fitting is used to change the direction of a pipe?

The fitting specifically designed to change the direction of a pipe is indeed the elbow. Elbows are available in various degrees, typically 90 or 45 degrees, allowing a seamless transition in the flow path of the piping system. This is essential in plumbing systems, where there is often a need to navigate around obstacles, make route adjustments, or align pipes with different layouts.

A coupling is utilized to connect two pipes in a straight line, thereby allowing for a continuation of the pipe run without altering its direction. A reducer serves a different purpose by connecting pipes of differing diameters, which is critical for changes in flow requirements or system configuration but does not change the direction. A union, on the other hand, is used to join two pipes together with a mechanism that allows for easy disassembly, but it does not change the direction of flow. Elbows are the clear choice when it comes to altering the flow direction in any plumbing setup.