@Ross @Matt
I refer you back to John's original question:
"I think we all agree that installation issues should be covered in product tests.
The question that still remains: Is it worth teaching / training on general/fundamental installation issues? i.e., installation 101, etc."
Gentlemen, I read this as the difference between "at camera install issues" where a installer arrives to hang, spot and tweak a camera which has already been roughed and which we all know can be a nightmare with the ideosycrycies between manufacturers etc. and "101 installation" which crosses over to the low voltage electrical trade. The construction of the backbone raceways, gal or ridgid conduit, EMT, PVC, cable trays, pulling or laying in Cat 6 cables, line voltage feeds, pole footings, concrete work, the correct anchors to use in a specific application etc. etc. etc. Two completely different skill sets. In CT, the latter requires a state issued electrical license (high or low voltage) which begins with a apprenticeship under a journeyman (or mechanic) who both work for a licensed high or low voltage electrical contractor.
The ratio is 1:1 (apprentice to journeyman). Apprenticship requires two years of documented "field work" along with the state sponsered education (theory, ohms law, load calculations etc) before you can sit to take your test to become licensed.
To me, this is where you learn the basics - "Installation 101" hence my comment.
I realize many states do not have stringint rules regarding licensing. NY for instance, 60 miles from my office only requires the company owner to be licensed. Everybody that works for that company works under the "company license" No individual license required to work "alone" in the field. Thats insane to me and one of the chief reasons why there is limited or no receprocity between states. The set of standards are just to diverse. Someday there will be a national standard but that day aint here yet.
Ross, I believe you are speaking to the first part of John's question which I completely agree with. If you were refering to the 2nd line, you are literally talking about hundreds of variables which I believe is not practical.
Matt, your daddy the GC is right - "someone else always knows something you dont"
Oh, and for the record regarding dirty hands, this forum member just spent the last two weeks in the sweltering heat and humidity running ~2000' of PVC in trenches to camera pole footings, setting up the forms, getting the concrete delivered and poured, setting the bolt patterns and roughing into place about 6000' of Cat6 while running a crew of 4 men. Dirty hands is a understatement.