Inhibition of chain reaction is a method of:

Inhibition of chain reaction is an important concept in fire science, specifically relating to how fires propagate and can be controlled. When we refer to inhibiting a chain reaction, it means disrupting the ongoing series of chemical reactions that occur during combustion. This is a core method of extinguishing fires, as it directly targets the process that allows a fire to continue burning.

By introducing substances or agents that interrupt the chemical reactions involved in the combustion process, we can effectively stop the fire from spreading or burning more intensely. This could involve the use of fire suppressants that chemically interfere with the reactions between fuel, oxygen, and other combustion elements.

For example, certain fire extinguishers use agents that release gases that react with the free radicals present in the flames, thus breaking the chain reaction and leading to a fire being put out. This distinguishes inhibiting a chain reaction from other methods, such as removing fuel or excluding oxygen, which focus on altering conditions surrounding the fire rather than directly interfering with its chemical processes.