What type of fitting is often used at the ends of pipes to allow for quick disconnection?

Flanges are designed specifically to facilitate quick disconnection and reconnection of pipes. They consist of a flat piece of metal with holes for bolts, enabling two pipes or pipe fittings to be easily bolted together. This design allows for efficient maintenance and repair, as flanged connections can be removed without the need to cut into the piping.

In contrast, a coupling is primarily meant to join two pipe ends together permanently or semi-permanently. Valves, while they do allow for control over the flow of fluids, are not typically used for quick disconnection; rather, they are installed within the flow path. Bushings are used to adapt fittings or reduce the size of the pipe, but they do not facilitate quick disconnection either. Thus, the function and design of a flange make it the appropriate choice for allowing quick disconnection at the ends of pipes.