What is the effect of lowering the surface tension of water in fire suppression?

Lowering the surface tension of water in fire suppression enhances its ability to penetrate materials involved in combustion. Surface tension is a property that causes liquids to form a "skin" at their surface, limiting how well they can spread and soak into materials like wood or fabric. When the surface tension is reduced, water can more easily permeate these materials, allowing for more effective cooling and extinguishing of the fire. This improved penetration can also assist in reaching hidden pockets of fire, ensuring a more thorough suppression.

While the other options touch on various aspects of fire dynamics, they do not describe the primary benefit of reducing water's surface tension in this context. For example, increasing temperature or decreasing boiling point does not directly aid in put out a fire, and heightening the risk of re-ignition would be counterproductive to the goal of fire suppression. Therefore, focusing on how reducing surface tension improves penetration is crucial for effective firefighting tactics.