Which fire suppression technique involves using water to reduce the temperature of burning materials?

The technique that involves using water specifically to reduce the temperature of burning materials is known as cooling. This method leverages the heat-absorbing property of water, which can effectively lower the temperature of flames and the surrounding surfaces, helping to stop combustion. When water is applied to a fire, it turns into steam and absorbs heat, thus lowering the temperature below the ignition point of the material involved in the fire. This is a fundamental principle in fire suppression as it directly addresses one of the main elements needed for combustion to continue, which is heat.

The other techniques mentioned have different focuses: smothering involves covering the fire to deprive it of oxygen, starving means removing the fuel source to prevent the fire from continuing, and extinguishing generally refers to the overall process of putting out a fire, which could include various methods and not solely focusing on temperature reduction. Cooling, therefore, is distinct because it specifically targets the heat element of the fire triangle.