Patent Publication Number: US-10323428-B2

Title: Sequence for constructing a building from prefabricated components

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a non-provisional application that claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/505,666, filed on May 12, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional construction is conducted in the field at the building job site. People in various trades (e.g., carpenters, electricians, and plumbers) measure, cut, and install material as though each unit were one-of-a-kind. Furthermore, activities performed by the trades are arranged in a linear sequence. The result is a time-consuming process that increases the risk of waste, installation imperfections, and cost overruns. One approach to improving efficiency in building construction may be modular construction. In the case of buildings with multiple dwelling units (e.g., apartments, hotels, student dorms, etc.), entire dwelling units (referred to as modules) may be built off-site in a factory and then trucked to the job site. The modules are then stacked and connected together, generally resulting in a low-rise construction (e.g., between one and six stories). Other modular construction techniques may involve the building of large components of the individual units off-site (e.g., in a factory) and assembling the large components in the field to reduce the overall construction effort at the job site and thereby reducing the overall time of erecting the building. However, shortcomings may exist with known modular building technologies and improvements thereof may be desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Techniques are generally described that include methods and systems relating to building construction and more specifically relating to constructing a building from prefabricated components. An example method may include assembling a building from prefabricated components. The method may include erecting a first plurality of columns spatially separated along a first line, erecting a second plurality of columns spatially separated along a second line, coupling a plurality of beams to and between the first and second pluralities of columns, coupling a prefabricated floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of beams, coupling a prefabricated demising wall above and along at least one of the plurality of beams positioned between the ends of adjacent prefabricated floor panels, and coupling a prefabricated end wall above and along at least one of the plurality of beams positioned at a terminal end of the building. Each beam of the plurality of beams may extend between one column of the first plurality of columns and an opposing column of the second plurality of columns such that the plurality of beams extend substantially parallel to one another. The prefabricated floor panel may include opposite ends and opposite sides extending between the opposite ends, wherein the opposite ends of each prefabricated floor panel are coupled to adjacent beams, and wherein the prefabricated floor panel includes a plurality of joists in a spaced arrangement and extending between the opposite ends. 
     In some examples, the method may include coupling a second plurality of beams to and between the first and second pluralities of columns, each beam of the second plurality of beams extending above and along at least one prefabricated demising wall or at least one prefabricated end wall. The method may include coupling a prefabricated second floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the second plurality of beams. The method may include coupling a prefabricated second demising wall above and along at least one of the second plurality of beams positioned between the ends of adjacent prefabricated second floor panels. The method may include coupling a prefabricated second end wall above and along at least one of the second plurality of beams positioned at a terminal end of the building. The method may include coupling a prefabricated utility wall along a terminal side of the building, each prefabricated utility wall coupled to at least one of the prefabricated floor panels and at least one of the prefabricated second floor panels positioned adjacent the terminal side of the building. 
     In some examples, one of the opposite sides of each prefabricated floor panel positioned adjacent a terminal side of the building may define an outer side arranged to sealingly receive a window along its length. 
     In some examples, coupling the prefabricated floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of beams may include coupling a plurality of prefabricated floor panels to and between each pair of adjacent beams of the plurality of beams, the plurality of prefabricated floor panels abutting one another along the sides of the plurality of prefabricated floor panels. Coupling the plurality of prefabricated floor panels to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of beams may include coupling three prefabricated floor panels to and between each pair of adjacent beams. 
     In some examples, the second line may extend substantially parallel to the first line. 
     Another example method includes assembling a building from prefabricated components, the building including a length and a width defining terminal ends and terminal sides of the building, respectively. The method may include erecting first and second rows of columns along the length of the building, attaching a plurality of floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of floor beams extend substantially parallel to one another along the width of the building, attaching a prefabricated floor panel to and between adjacent floor beams of the plurality of floor beams, attaching a prefabricated demising wall to and along at least one of the plurality of floor beams positioned between adjacent prefabricated floor panels, attaching a prefabricated end wall to and along at least one of the plurality of floor beams positioned at a terminal end of the building, attaching a plurality of vertically adjacent floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns, and repeating steps 3-6 above in sequence until the building includes a desired number of stories. The plurality of vertically adjacent floor beams may be attached to and along the tops of the prefabricated demising and end walls of the vertically subjacent story. 
     In some examples, the method may include attaching at least one prefabricated utility wall along one of the terminal sides of the building, each prefabricated utility wall serving at least two stories of the building. The method may include attaching a window wall along the terminal side of the building opposing the at least one prefabricated utility wall. 
     In some examples, the first and second rows of columns may be erected substantially parallel to each other. 
     In some examples, the repeating step may include extending the lengths of the columns to achieve the desired number of stories. 
     Another example method includes assembling a building of n stories from prefabricated components, the building including a length and a width. The method may include erecting first and second rows of columns along the length of the building, installing a plurality of first floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of first floor beams extend along the width of the building, installing a prefabricated first floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of first floor beams, installing a prefabricated first floor demising wall above and along at least one of the plurality of first floor beams positioned between adjacent prefabricated first floor panels, installing a prefabricated first floor end wall above and along at least one of the plurality of first floor beams positioned at terminal ends of the building, installing a plurality of second floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of second floor beams extend along the width of the building, installing a prefabricated second floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of second floor beams, installing a prefabricated second floor demising wall above and along at least one of the plurality of second floor beams positioned between adjacent prefabricated second floor panels, installing a prefabricated second floor end wall above and along at least one of the plurality of second floor beams positioned at terminal ends of the building, installing a plurality of third floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of third floor beams extend along the width of the building, installing a prefabricated utility wall along a terminal side of the building, each prefabricated utility wall serving two stories of the building, and repeating the above steps until the building includes n stories. The second floor beams may extend above and along the prefabricated first floor demising walls and the prefabricated first floor end walls. The third floor beams may extend above and along the prefabricated second floor demising walls and the prefabricated second floor end walls. 
     In some examples, the repeating step may include extending the lengths of the columns to accommodate n stories. 
     In some examples, the method may include installing a window wall along a terminal side of the building opposite the prefabricated utility wall. Installing the window wall may include attaching a window along corresponding tracks pre-installed on the prefabricated floor panels. 
     The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several examples in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an example multi-story building assembled from prefabricated components; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of example floor plans of a plurality of building units assembled from prefabricated components; 
         FIG. 3  is a another schematic illustration of example floor plans of a plurality of building units assembled from prefabricated components; 
         FIG. 4  is a another schematic illustration of example floor plans of a plurality of building units assembled from prefabricated components; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an example building story floor plan; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of a prefabricated floor panel according to one example; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of a prefabricated demising wall according to one example; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a prefabricated end wall according to one example; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of a prefabricated utility wall according to one example; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of an example floor system of a building assembled from a plurality of prefabricated floor panels; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of an example wall system of a building assembled from a plurality of prefabricated walls; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of assembling a building from prefabricated components; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of assembling a building from prefabricated components, the building having a length and a width defining terminal ends and terminal sides of the building, respectively; and 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of assembling a building of n stories from prefabricated components, the building having a length and a width; 
     
    
    
     all arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplated herein. 
     This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to methods, systems, products, devices, and/or apparatus generally related to constructing a building from prefabricated components. In some examples, the prefabricated components may be assembled off-site (such as in a shop) and then transported to the building site for constructing a building. At the building site, the prefabricated components may be attached together and/or to a building frame, either directly or indirectly. The building frame may be an external frame. The term external frame, also referred to as external structural frame, will be understood to refer to a structural frame of a building which is arranged generally externally to the envelope of the building. This is, in contrast to other types of structural frames that include vertical and horizontal load bearing members located within the perimeter defined by the building envelope, as is typical in timber construction for example, the external frame is arranged outside the perimeter of the building envelope. As is generally known in the field of structural engineering, the structural frame is the load-resisting or load-beating system of a building which transfers loads (e.g., vertical and lateral loads) into the foundation of the building trough interconnected structural components (e.g., load bearing members, such as beams, columns, load-bearing walls, etc.). 
     In some examples of the present disclosure, a sequence for constructing a building from prefabricated components is provided. For example, according to various examples described herein, a method of assembling a building from prefabricated components is provided. As described herein, the method includes erecting a structural frame and coupling a plurality of prefabricated components to the frame. In this manner, the building may be constructed with improved efficiency and/or reduced cost compared to typical multi-story building construction. For example, the building sequence disclosed herein may remove one or more steps from a conventional building construction process, such as removing the step of pouring/curing concrete walls and floors as is typical in some multi-story building construction. 
     As one example, the method may include erecting a first plurality of columns spatially separated along a first line, erecting a second plurality of columns spatially separated along a second line, coupling a plurality of beams to and between the first and second pluralities of columns, coupling a prefabricated floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of beams, coupling a prefabricated demising wall above and along at least one of the plurality of beams positioned between the ends of adjacent prefabricated floor panels, and coupling a prefabricated end wall above and along at least one of the plurality of beams positioned at a terminal end of the building. Each beam of the plurality of beams may extend between one column of the first plurality of columns and an opposing column of the second plurality of columns such that the plurality of beams extend substantially parallel to one another. The prefabricated floor panel may include opposite ends and opposite sides extending between the opposite ends, wherein the opposite ends of each prefabricated floor panel are coupled to adjacent beams, and wherein the prefabricated floor panel includes a plurality of joists in a spaced arrangement and extending between the opposite ends 
     As another example, the method may include erecting first and second rows of columns along the length of the building, attaching a plurality of floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of floor beams extend substantially parallel to one another along the width of the building, attaching a prefabricated floor panel to and between adjacent floor beams of the plurality of floor beams, attaching a prefabricated demising wall to and along at least one of the plurality of floor beams positioned between adjacent prefabricated floor panels, attaching a prefabricated end wall to and along at least one of the plurality of floor beams positioned at a terminal end of the building, attaching a plurality of vertically adjacent floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns, and repeating steps 3-6 above in sequence until the building includes a desired number of stories. In some examples, the vertically adjacent floor beams may be attached to and along the tops of the prefabricated demising and end walls of the vertically subjacent story. 
     As another example, the method may include erecting first and second rows of columns along the length of the building, installing a plurality of first floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of first floor beams extend along the width of the building, installing a prefabricated first floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of first floor beams, installing a prefabricated first floor demising wall above and along at least one of the plurality of first floor beams positioned between adjacent prefabricated first floor panels, installing a prefabricated first floor end wall above and along at least one of the plurality of first floor beams positioned at terminal ends of the building, installing a plurality of second floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of second floor beams extend along the width of the building, installing a prefabricated second floor panel to and between adjacent beams of the plurality of second floor beams, installing a prefabricated second floor demising wall above and along at least one of the plurality of second floor beams positioned between adjacent prefabricated second floor panels, installing a prefabricated second floor end wall above and along at least one of the plurality of second floor beams positioned at terminal ends of the building, installing a plurality of third floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns such that the plurality of third floor beams extend along the width of the building, installing a prefabricated utility wall along a terminal side of the building, each prefabricated utility wall serving two stories of the building, and repeating the above steps until the building includes n stories. The second floor beams may extend above and along the prefabricated first floor demising walls and the prefabricated first floor end walls. The third floor beams may extend above and along the prefabricated second floor demising walls and the prefabricated second floor end walls. 
     In referring now to the drawings, repeating units of the same kind or generally fungible kind are designated by the part number and a letter (e.g.,  214   n ), where the letters “a”, “b”, “c” and so on refer to a discrete number of the repeating items. General reference to the part number followed by the letter “n” indicates there is no predetermined or established limit to the number of items intended. The parts are listed as “a-n” referring to starting at “a” and ending at any desired number “n”. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example building  100  arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.  FIG. 1  shows the building  100  including a structural frame  102  and one or more floors, levels, or stories  104 . When assembled or constructed, the building  100  includes a width W and a length L, which in some examples is greater than the building&#39;s width W. In such embodiments, the sides of the building  100  defining the length L of the building  100  may be referred to as terminal sides of the building  100 . In like manner, the sides of the building  100  defining the width W of the building  100  may be referred to as terminal ends of the building  100 . As described more fully below, the building  100  may be constructed by assembling various prefabricated components  106  (such as prefabricated columns, beams, floor panels, and walls) together. As described herein, the prefabricated components  106  may be assembled independent of one another remotely from the building site and transported to the building site for installation. As described herein, the prefabricated components  106  may include all components or substantially all of the components for a particular system of the building  100 , such as a floor system or a wall system of the building  100 . As explained below, the prefabricated components  106  may fit, or otherwise be coupled, together to complete the various systems of the building  100 . For example, the prefabricated components  106  may be coupled or otherwise attached to the structural frame  102 , to adjacent prefabricated components  106 , or to both the structural frame  102  and one or more adjacent prefabricated components  106  at the building site to define the building  100 , as more fully explained below. 
     Using prefabricated components  106 , the building  100  may be constructed or assembled in reduced time and with a reduced amount of waste when compared to traditional construction methods. For example, in typical multi-story building construction, the various systems of a building may be constructed or assembled in situ, sometimes requiring large or vast storage and staging areas, numerous tools and construction equipment, as well as complicated (and inefficient) inventory and scheduling management. Large amounts of waste are also produced in typical multi-story building construction as each system is assembled or constructed on site. This waste may be detrimental to the construction process, such as increasing building costs and/or cluttering the construction area, which may cause otherwise preventable injuries from trips and falls. 
     On the other hand, implementing the various examples herein may reduce waste and reduce the time necessary to construct building  100 . For example, and without limitation, because the various prefabricated components  106  fit, or are otherwise coupled, together, there is little to no construction waste produced at the jobsite, thereby creating a cleaner (and more efficient) jobsite. The examples of the present disclosure may also require storage and staging areas that are substantially smaller than those of typical multi-story building construction. For example, the prefabricated components  106  may be lifted off of a delivery truck and immediately placed in position without requiring preparation of the components in a staging area. Thus, the examples of the present disclosure may be beneficial for building sites where there is little to no room for storage or staging areas, such as in crowded metropolitan areas. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the building  100  may include multiple building modules or units  110 . The building units  110  may be commercial, residential (e.g., dwelling units, residences, etc.), or both. The building units  110  may be assembled at the building site using multiple pre-assembled or prefabricated components  106 . Each building unit  110  may be assembled in accordance with a floor plan of the building  100 . For example, in accordance with a floor plan, each story  104  of the building  100  may include one or multiple building units  110  defined by the prefabricated components  106 . For example, depending on the size of the building  100 , the desired number of building units  110 , and/or local zoning and building requirements, each story  104  of the building  100  may include one, two, three, four, or more building units  110 . In some embodiments, a building unit  110  may span more than one floor of the building  100  to define a multi-story building unit (e.g., a two-story building unit). 
     The building units  110  may be standardized and repetitive, or unique and individualized. Mixed units of standard size and shape may be combined with unique units in the same story  104 , or in independent arrangement on separate stories  104 . Additionally or alternatively, the building units  110  of each story  104  may be repetitive or mixed. For example, each building unit  110  on one story  104  may be identical to one another. In such examples, each building unit  110  on another story  104  may be identical to one another but different from other stories  104 . Additionally or alternatively, a story  104  of the building  100  may include multiple building units  110  with a building unit  110  of the story  104  assembled differently than at least another building unit  110  of the same story  104 . In one example, the building units  110  on the same end of the building  100  may be assembled identically. In other examples, the building units  110  within the interior of each story  104  may be assembled identically. In some examples, each vertically adjacent building unit  110  may be assembled identically. The foregoing examples are meant to be illustrative only, and the building units  110  of the building  100  may be assembled in accordance with any permutation or combination of configurations. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the building  100  may include a structural frame  102  providing structural support for the building  100 . The structural frame  102 , which may be at least partially external to the building  100  in some examples, may serve at least partially as a structural skeleton (such as an exoskeleton) of the building  100 . The structural frame  102  may include multiple support members, such as a plurality of columns  120  and a plurality of beams  122 . The columns  120 , which may be referred to as load bearing members, may be oriented vertically. The beams  122 , which may be referred to as floor beams, may be oriented horizontally. 
     The beams  122  may extend between and be attached to adjacent columns  120  to at least partially define a structural framework of the building  100 . For example, the structural frame  102  may include first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  extending along the length L of the building  100 , and a plurality of beams  122  coupled to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  such that the beams  122  extend substantially parallel to one another along the width W of the building  100 . The first row of columns  124 , which may be referred to as a first plurality of columns, may be spatially separated along a first line. Similarly, and the second row of columns  126 , which may be referred to as a second plurality of columns, may be spatially separated along a second line. 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of beams  122  may be attached or otherwise coupled to the columns  122  (e.g., to the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126 ) to define a structural framework for each story  104  of the building  100 . For example, a plurality of first floor beams  130  may be installed to and between the columns  120  (e.g., to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126 ) to at least partially define a structural framework for a first story  104 A of the building  100 . Similarly, a plurality of vertically adjacent beams  122 , such as a plurality of second floor beams  132 , may be installed to and between the columns  120  (e.g., to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126 ) to at least partially define a structural framework for a vertically adjacent story  104  (e.g., a second story  104 B) of the building  100 . In like manner, a plurality of third floor beams  134  may be installed to and between the columns  120  (e.g., to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126 ) to at least partially define a structure framework for a third story  104 C of the building  100 . This framework may be repeated to define a desired number of stories  104  of the building  100 , such as up to an n th  story  104 N of the building  100 , as explained below. Depending on the particular application, the beams  122  of a vertically adjacent story  104  may extend above and along the walls of the vertically subjacent story  104 , as explained more fully below. 
     The beams  122  may be attached or otherwise coupled to the columns  120  in substantially any suitable manner, such as by welding and/or by bolting the components together. In such examples, various prefabricated components  106  (e.g., prefabricated floors and walls) may be attached or otherwise coupled to the beams  122  and/or to the columns  120 . For example, as detailed below, prefabricated floors and walls may be attached or otherwise coupled to the beams  122  and/or to the columns  120  to define the various building units  110  of each story  104  of the building  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the structural frame  102  may include additional structural elements, such as one or more cross braces  136  extending between, such as obliquely to, the columns  120  and the beams  122 , to provide additional stiffness to the structural frame  102 , such as increasing the lateral stability of the building  100 . The structural frame  102  may be configured to provide most, or substantially all, the structural support for the building  100 . In some embodiments, the structural frame  102  may provide a desired aesthetic appeal (e.g., architectural design, decoration, etc.) or added support to the building  100 . 
     The various components shown in  FIG. 1  are merely illustrative, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated. Though  FIG. 1  shows the building  100  as a six-story building, the building  100  may include any number of suitable stories  104  depending on the particular application, as explained below. For example, the building  100  may include any number of stories  104  (e.g., n stories  104 ) limited only by local zoning and building codes, among others. In embodiments where the building  100  includes two or more stories  104 , the building  100  may be considered a multi-story building. In such examples, the building  100  may be classified as a low-rise, a mid-rise, or a high-rise construction depending on the number of stories  104 . In some embodiments, the building  100  may be a residential multi-dwelling building having one or more stories  104 , such as one story  104 , two stories  104 , six stories  104 , ten stories  104 , thirty stories  104 , more than thirty stories  104 , or the like. 
       FIGS. 2-5  illustrate example floor plans of the building  100  assembled from prefabricated components  106 .  FIG. 2  shows floor plans of a first plurality of building units  140  according to some examples herein.  FIG. 3  shows floor plans of a second plurality of building units  142  according to some examples herein.  FIG. 4  shows floor plans of a third plurality of building units  144  according to some examples herein.  FIG. 5  shows a floor plan of a story  104  of the building  100  according to some examples herein. In the examples of  FIGS. 2-4 , the first plurality of building units  140  may each be a studio residence, the second plurality of building units  142  may each be a one-bedroom residence, and the third plurality of building units  144  may each be a two-bedroom residence. 
     Each building unit  110  includes a unit width W Unit  and a unit length L Unit  extending along the building&#39;s width W and length L, respectively. In at least one example, a studio residence may include a first length L 1 , a one-bedroom residence may include a second length L 2 , and a 2-bedroom residence may include a third length L 3 . The third length L 3  may be greater than the second length L 2 . The second length L 2  may be greater than the first length L 1 . The unit width W Unit  of each building unit  110  may be arranged depending on the particular building arrangement. For example, each building unit  110  on the same story  104  may include the same unit width W Unit . In some examples, each building unit  110  in the building  100  may include the same unit width W Unit . 
     Depending on the particular application, each story  104  of the building  100  may include building units  110  assembled in accordance with the various floor plans of one or more of the first, second, and third pluralities of building units  140 ,  142 ,  144 . For example, each story  104  of the building  100  may be assembled to include any combination of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , at least one story  104  of the building  100  may include a one-bedroom residence (e.g., three one-bedroom residences) and a two-bedroom residence (e.g., one two-bedroom residence).  FIG. 5  is illustrative only and other combinations are contemplated. 
     Each floor plan includes a plurality of prefabricated floor panels  150  and a plurality of prefabricated walls  152  (such as any suitable combination of prefabricated demising walls  154 , end walls  156 , window walls  158 , utility walls  160 , as explained below). Each floor plan is designed to provide a desired characteristic of the respective building unit  110 . For example, each floor plan may be designed to provide the unit width W Unit , the unit length L Unit , and/or a desired look and feel (e.g., flow) of the building unit  110 , among others. The various components and floor plans shown in  FIGS. 2-5  are merely illustrative, and other variations, such as eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components, are contemplated. To that end, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that  FIGS. 2-5  in no way represent all possible permutations of floor panels and walls to define a building unit nor all permutations of building units to define a story of a building. 
     As described herein, the prefabricated walls  152  may include walls that partition the building  100  into the various building units  110 , walls that partition the interior of each building unit  110  into two or more rooms, walls that include utility components, walls that include window components, walls that define terminal ends of the building  100 , and others. Walls that define partitions between building units  110  may be referred to as demising walls (e.g., demising wall  154 ). In a preferred example, the demising walls  154  are internal walls positioned within the envelope of the building  100  such that the walls are not exposed to the elements. In similar fashion, walls that include utility components may be referred to as utility walls (e.g., utility wall  160 ), walls that include window components, such as one or more windows, may be referred to as window walls (e.g., window wall  158 ), and walls that define the terminal ends of the building  100  may be referred to as end walls (e.g., end wall  156 ). In such examples, the utility and window walls  160 ,  158  may define the terminal sides of the building  100 . In some examples, the utility walls  160 , window walls  158 , and/or end walls  156  may be positioned around at least a portion of the perimeter of the building  100  to at least partially define the envelope of the building  100 . 
     In some examples, each wall  152  may be prefabricated for a single purpose. For instance, the utility components (e.g., plumbing, sewer, electrical) of the building  100  may run through only the utility walls  160 , the window components of the building  100  may be arranged within only the window walls  158 , and so on. As further example, the end walls  156  may be prefabricated to enclose only the opposite ends of the building  100  to define the length L of the building  100 . In such examples, the utility walls  160  and the window walls  158  may be prefabricated to enclose the opposite sides of the building  100  to define the building&#39;s width W. 
     The prefabricated floor panels  150  and the prefabricated walls  152  (e.g., the prefabricated demising walls  154 , utility walls  160 , and/or end walls  156 ) may be configured to reduce the overall number of separate parts delivered to the jobsite as may be required to construct the floor and wall systems of the building  100 . For example, the floor panels  150  include all components or substantially all of the components (e.g., except finished floor surfaces, including the finished floor surfaces, etc.) for a floor system of the building  100 . In like manner, the prefabricated walls  152  (e.g. the prefabricated demising walls  154 , utility walls  160 , and/or end walls  156 ) may include most or all of the components (e.g., except finished wall surfaces, including finished wall surfaces, etc.) for a wall system of the building  100 . According to some examples herein, the floor panels  150  may be sized such that they span a portion or a full length of a building unit  110 , such as a full length between opposite walls of the building unit  110 , which in some cases may correspond to the opposite exterior walls of the building  100 . In some examples, the floor panels  150  may be sized such that two or more floor panels  150  (e.g., two floor panels  150 , three floor panels  150 , six floor panels  150 , etc.) are joined together to form the floor system of an entire building unit  110  and/or story  104  of the building  100 . For example, two or more floor panels  150  may be joined side-to-side to define one of the dimensions of the building unit  110  (e.g., the unit width W Unit ) while the other dimension may be defined by the length of one or more floor panels  150  connected on end. 
       FIGS. 6-9  illustrate example prefabricated floor panels  150  and prefabricated walls  152  according to various examples of the present disclosure. In typical multi-story building construction, steel framing is used in conjunction with concrete for constructing the wall system and/or the floor system of the building. Concrete slabs may slow the construction process as individual concrete slabs are poured and cured in situ at each level or story as each new level or story of the building is added. Temporary formwork for the concrete slab is installed at each level and the construction crew must wait for the concrete to cure prior to removal of the temporary formwork and completion of other elements (e.g., exterior and interior walls, window installation, various interiors elements including plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems and finishes), which may significantly increase construction timeline and cost. Pre-cast concrete slabs may be used instead of casting the slabs in situ. However, there may be some limitations to using pre-cast slabs such as the weight of the slabs themselves and the associated difficulty in transporting and installing such pre-cast slabs. Also, stricter dimensional tolerances for the pre-cast slabs and building frame construction may need to be followed to ensure the slabs can be installed to the building frame. In addition, building construction using concrete slab construction tend to be significantly heavier and costlier. For example, a floor system with a concrete slab may weigh between about 50 lb/ft 2  and about 100 lb/ft 2 , and may cost about $40/ft 2 . 
     On the other hand, the present disclosure describes prefabricated components and methods for building construction and specifically for constructing a building  100  using prefabricated walls  152  and floor panels  150 , and without the use of onsite floor and wall construction. In one example, floor systems implementing the examples herein may weigh and cost significantly less, such as weighing about 10 lb/ft 2  and costing about $10/ft 2 . In addition, floor systems implementing the examples herein may be significantly faster to construct compared to conventional slab construction. Similar results may be achieved implementing the prefabricated wall systems described herein. 
     The floor panels  150  may be prefabricated in any suitable manner. As one example,  FIG. 6  illustrates a floor panel  150  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. According to various examples herein, each floor panel  150  includes a frame  170  and outer layers  172  attached to the frame  170 , such as to opposite sides of the frame  170 . The outer layers  172  may be attached to the frame  170  in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive, fasteners, corresponding retention features, or any combination thereof. As shown in  FIG. 6 , an insulative material  174  (e.g., mineral wool batt insulation) may be positioned between the outer layers  172 , such as within the frame  170 , to provide thermal insulative and/or sound deadening properties to the floor panel  150 . 
     As an example of an outer layer  172 , a floor layer  176  may be disposed over and attached to the frame  170 , such as attached to a top side of the frame  170 . As an additional or alternative example of an outer layer  172 , a ceiling layer  178  may be disposed below and attached to the frame  170 , such as attached to a bottom side of the frame  170 . In such embodiments, the floor layer  176  may support a floor material (e.g., a floor finish) of an upper story  104 , and the ceiling layer  178  may support a ceiling material (e.g., a ceiling finish) of a lower story  104 . In this manner, once installed in the building  100 , each floor panel  150  may provide a floor and a ceiling for two vertically adjacent building units  110 . For example, the floor layer  176  of each floor panel  150  may define the floor of an upper building unit  110  or story  104  of the building  100 , and the ceiling layer  178  of each floor panel  150  may define the ceiling of a lower building unit  110  or story  104 . In one embodiment, each of the floor and ceiling layers  176 ,  178  may include one or more stacked layers of boards or material, such as drywall, particle board, OSB, or the like. 
     Each floor panel  150  may take on any suitable shape or configuration. For instance, and without limitation, each floor panel  150  may be quadrilateral in shape and may include opposite ends  190  and opposite sides  192  extending between the opposite ends  190  (see  FIG. 10 ). In such embodiments, the opposite ends  190  may define the length of the floor panel  150 , and the opposite sides  192  may define the width of the floor panel  150 . In a preferred example, the opposite sides  192  are longer than the opposite ends  190  such that each floor panel  150  includes a rectangular shape. As explained more fully below, at least one of the opposite ends  190  and opposite sides  192  may include connection structures operable to couple each floor panel  150  to other structure, such as to the structural frame  102  (e.g., to the floor beams  122 ) and/or to other prefabricated components  106  (e.g., to the prefabricated walls  152 ). 
     Each floor panel  150  may be operable to carry loads (e.g., diaphragm loads) to the structural frame  102 . For example, to provide structural rigidity and strength to the floor panels  150 , the frame  170  of each floor panel  150  may include a plurality of joists  194  extending between the opposite ends  190  of the floor panel  150  and in spaced arrangement along the width of the floor panel  150  (such as equidistantly spaced between the opposite sides  192  of the floor panel  150 ). In such embodiments, the joists  194  may define supporting members that span between the opposite ends  190  of the floor panel  150  to support the floor and ceiling layers  176 ,  178  of the floor panel  150 . For instance, each of the floor and ceiling layers  176 ,  178  of the floor panel  150  may be attached to the joists  194  (e.g., via adhesive, fasteners, or the like). The joists  194  may be arranged generally parallel to one another, such as along the length of the floor panel  150 . In some examples, the joists  194  may be spaced at regular intervals along the width of the floor panel  150  (e.g., on 6 inch centers, on 12 inch centers, on 16 inch centers, on 36 inch centers, etc.) to define a joist cavity  196  between adjacent joists  194 . In such embodiments, the joist cavities  196  may accommodate plumbing, wiring, HVAC ductwork, or other elements that support dwelling or commercial activities in the building  100 . For example, the insulative material  174  may be positioned within the joist cavities  196  to provide a degree of thermal insulation and/or sound deadening quality to the floor panel  150 . 
     Each floor panel  150  may be fabricated using discrete (e.g., separable) pre-manufactured construction elements (e.g., boards, studs, paneling, etc.), which may be fabricated offsite, such as in a factory or other location remote from the construction site. According to the present disclosure, each floor panel  150  is prefabricated (e.g., in a factory) and delivered to the construction site for installation as part of the building  100 . Each floor panel  150  may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the frame  170  may be formed from metal, such as aluminum or steel. In some embodiments, the frame  170  may be formed of a non-metallic material, such as wood, plastic, fiber reinforced composites, or other material. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 6 , the joists  194  are formed of metal and have a C-shaped cross-section defined by a web  198  connecting opposing flanges  200 , though the joists  194  may include substantially any cross-sectional shape (e.g., I-beams, etc.). 
     The frame  170  may be arranged to suit the particular needs of a building project. For instance, the number of joists  194 , the spacing of the joists  194 , the length of the joists  194  (which also defines the length of the floor panel  150 ), and/or the lengths of the opposite ends  190  of the floor panel  150  may be selected based on the load and/or dimensional requirements of the floor panel  150 . For example, a higher load requirement may require a greater number of joists  194 , and vice-versa. Similarly, a wider floor panel  150  may require a greater number of joists  194 , and vice-versa. In examples where the joists  194  are metal, the height of the web  198 , the width of the flanges  200 , and/or the thickness (gage) of the metal may be varied as needed. Accordingly, the specific configuration illustrated in  FIG. 6  is provided for illustration purposes only, and the floor panel  150  (e.g., the frame  170 ) may be arranged differently than specifically illustrated. 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate example prefabricated walls  152 , such as an example demising wall  154  (see  FIG. 7 ), an example end wall  156  (see  FIG. 8 ), and an example utility wall  160  (see  FIG. 9 ), according to the present disclosure. Each prefabricated wall  152  may be configured (and prefabricated) similar to the floor panels  150  and/or similar to one another. As such, like features will not be discussed when they would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the description above and in view of  FIGS. 7-9 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , each demising wall  154 , utility wall  160 , and end wall  156  may include a frame  210  operable to carry loads to the structural frame  102 , and one or more outer layers  212  attached to the frame  210  to provide a desired aesthetic and/or functional characteristic. For instance, the outer layers  212  may be attached to opposite sides of the frame  210  such that the frame  210  is positioned at least partially between the outer layers  212 . In one example, the outer layers  212  of each prefabricated wall  152  may provide an attachment point to which to install various interior and/or exterior finishes of the building  100  (e.g., interior drywall, exterior paneling or siding, etc.). Each prefabricated wall  152  may also include an insulative material  214  (e.g., mineral wool batt insulation) positioned between the outer layers  212 , such as within the frame  210 , to provide thermal insulative and/or sound deadening properties across the wall  152 . Similar to the floor panels  150 , each prefabricated wall  152  may include connection structures configured to couple the walls  152  to the structural frame  102  (such as to the columns  120  and/or to the beams  122 ) and/or to an adjacent floor panel  150 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , each utility wall  160  may include plumbing components  216  (e.g., piping) to supply water to the building unit  110  as well as to provide drainage of sewer water and greywater. The specific configurations of the prefabricated walls  152  illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9  are provided for illustration purposes only, and the walls  152  may be arranged differently than specifically illustrated. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example floor system  230  of the building  100  assembled from a plurality of prefabricated floor panels  150  in accordance with a floor plan. As shown, the floor system  230 , which may be the floor system for any story  104  of the building  100  (e.g., the first floor  104 A, the second floor  104 B, the third floor  104 C, the nth floor  104 N, etc.), is assembled (in accordance with a floor plan as outlined above) by positioning a plurality of floor panels  150  side-to-side and on end to define a floor of a building unit  110  or story  104  of the building  100 . In one embodiment, one floor panel  150  (e.g., a first floor panel  150 A) may be installed in a position adjacent a utility wall  160 . Similarly, another floor panel  150  (e.g., a second floor panel  150 B) may be installed in a position adjacent a window wall  158 . In such embodiments, an additional floor panel  150  (e.g., a third floor panel  150 C) may be installed in a position between the first and second floor panels  150 A,  150 B positioned adjacent the window and utility walls  158 ,  160 , respectively. 
     To aid construction efficiency, in some embodiments, the floor panels  150  may be arranged to be installed in any position of the floor system  230 . In this manner, the floor panels  150  may be interchangeable with each other, which may reduce installation time (and costs). In some embodiments, the floor panels  150  may be individualized for a particular position within the floor system  230 . For example, one floor panel  150  may be arranged to be installed only adjacent a utility wall  160 , such as in examples where the floor panel  150  is prefabricated to include plumbing components (e.g., shower pans, sink drains, etc.). In like manner, another floor panel  150  may be arranged to be installed only adjacent a window wall  158 , such as in examples where the floor panel  150  is prefabricated to include sealing tracks for a window. 
     The floor panels  150  may be installed in any suitable manner. For example, the floor panels  150  may be attached or otherwise coupled to the structural frame  102  (e.g., to the beams  122  of the structural frame  102 ). According to at least one example of the present disclosure, the floor panels  150  may be installed to and between adjacent beams  122  in a manner to support anticipated loads thereon (e.g., building occupants, furniture, furnishings, etc.). For example, the connection structures of the floor panels  150  may facilitate the opposite ends  190  of the floor panels  150  to be attached or otherwise coupled to adjacent beams  122 , such as by welding, bolting, interlocking structural features or other suitable manner. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a wall system  240  of the building  100  assembled from a plurality of prefabricated walls  152  in accordance with a floor plan. As described herein, the wall system  240  is assembled in accordance with a floor plan using two or more prefabricated walls  152 . The plurality of prefabricated walls  152  may be installed to define one or more interior rooms  242  of each building unit  110 . For example, the plurality of prefabricated walls  152  may be installed to define a building unit  110  having one interior room  242 , two interior rooms  242 , three interior rooms  242 , and the like. The floor plan may define the interior rooms  242  as a bedroom, a bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, or the like. In one example, each building unit  110  consisting of one interior room  242  may be considered a studio residence, each building unit  110  consisting of two interior rooms  242  may be considered a one-bedroom residence, each building unit  110  consisting of three interior rooms  242  may be considered a two-bedroom residence, and so forth, though any suitable combination of bedrooms and other living spaces is contemplated. 
     Like the prefabricated floor panels  150 , the prefabricated walls  152  may be configured to be installed in interchangeable positions or may be configured to be installed in specific locations. For instance, and without limitation, the plurality of prefabricated walls  152  may include one or more prefabricated utility walls (e.g., utility wall  160 ) arranged to provide utilities (e.g., water, sewer, electrical, etc.) to each building unit  110 , one or more prefabricated demising walls (e.g., demising wall  154 ) arranged to partition each story  104  into two or more building units  110 , one or more window walls (e.g., window wall  158 ), one or more prefabricated end walls (e.g., end wall  156 ) arranged to define the terminal ends of each story  104  of the building  100 , or any combination thereof. In such embodiments, the utility, demising, window, and end walls  160 ,  154 ,  158 ,  156 , may be installed interchangeably within the various building units  110 . For example, and without limitation, the demising wall  154  of one building unit  110  may be used interchangeably for the demising wall  154  of another building unit  110 . In some embodiments, the utility, demising, window, and end walls  160 ,  154 ,  158 ,  156 , may be configured to be installed in particular building units  110  in accordance with a floor plan. For example, and without limitation, one building unit  110  may be designed to include a relatively shorter unit length L Unit  requiring a relatively shorter utility wall  160  and/or window wall  158  in length. Similarly, another building unit  110  may be designed to include a relatively longer unit length L Unit  requiring a relatively longer utility wall  160  and/or window wall  158  in length. 
     Like the floor panels  150 , the prefabricated walls  152  may be installed in any suitable manner. For example, the prefabricated walls  152  may be attached or otherwise coupled to the structural frame  102  (e.g., to the beams  122  of the structural frame  102 , to the columns  120  of the structural frame  102 , etc.) and/or to the floor system  230 . For example, each demising wall  154  may be installed adjacent (e.g., to and along) at least one floor beam  122  positioned between adjacent floor panels  150 . Similarly, each end wall  156  may be installed adjacent (e.g., to and along) at least one floor beam  122  positioned at a terminal end of the building  100 . Each utility wall  160  may be installed along a length of the building  100  and between adjacent floor beams  122 , such as along a terminal side of the building  100 . According to at least one example of the present disclosure, the prefabricated walls  152  may be installed to and between vertically adjacent beams  122 . For example, the prefabricated walls  152  (e.g., the demising walls  154 , the end walls  156 , etc.) may be installed between a floor beam  122  of a vertically adjacent story  104  and a floor beam  122  of a vertically subjacent story  104 . In this manner, the beams  122  of a vertically adjacent story  104  may extend adjacent (e.g., to and along) the tops of the prefabricated walls  152  of a vertically subjacent story  104 . 
       FIGS. 12-14  are flowcharts illustrating example methods of assembling a building from prefabricated components in accordance with the present disclosure. The methods may be used to assemble a building, such as building  100 , from prefabricated components  106 . The example methods may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks. Operations of the example methods will be described with reference also to  FIGS. 1-11 , with the understanding that the various components shown in  FIGS. 1-11  are merely illustrative, and suitable variations are contemplated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , an example method  260  of assembling a building  100  from prefabrication components  106  includes erecting a first plurality of columns  124  spatially separated along a first line (see block  262 ). The method further includes erecting a second plurality of columns  126  spatially separated along a second line (see block  264 ). In one example, the first and second lines may extend along the length of the building  100 . Depending on the desired shape of the building  100 , the first and second lines may extend substantially parallel to each other, may converge towards each other, may curve towards and/or away from each other, or the like. The first and second pluralities of columns may be erected on one or more concrete footings or slabs, and may extend vertically in a plumb configuration or at an angle to a level horizontal surface. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 12 , the method  260  includes coupling a plurality of beams  122  to and between the first and second pluralities of columns (see block  266 ). Each beam  122  may extend between one column of the first plurality of columns  124  and an opposing column of the second plurality of columns  126  such that the beams  122  extend substantially parallel to one another. In some embodiments, the beams  122  may be equidistantly spaced from one another along the length of the building  100 ) to reduce the number of assembly parts and aid in quick and efficient construction of the building  100 . Each beam  122  may be coupled or otherwise attached to its corresponding columns of the first and second pluralities of columns in a variety of manners. For example, and without limitation, each beam  122  may be directly attached or ultimately coupled to a web portion of the columns  120 . 
     The method  260  further includes coupling a prefabricated floor panel  150  to and between adjacent beams  122  (see block  268 ). As explained above, the prefabricated floor panel  150  may include opposite ends  190 , opposite sides  192  extending between the opposite ends  190 , and a plurality of joists  194  in a spaced arrangement and extending between the opposite ends  190 . In such embodiments, the opposite ends  190  of each prefabricated floor panel  150  may be coupled to adjacent beams  122  with the opposite sides  192  extending between the adjacent beams  122 . In one example, block  268  includes coupling a plurality of prefabricated floor panels  150  (e.g., three prefabricated floor panels  150 ) to and between each pair of adjacent beams  122 , the plurality of prefabricated floor panels  150  abutting one another along the sides of the floor panels  150  (see  FIG. 10 ). In each example described herein, one of the opposite sides  192  of each prefabricated floor panel  150  positioned adjacent a terminal side of the building  100  may define an outer side arranged to sealingly receive a window along its length, such as window wall. 
     The method  260  includes coupling a variety of prefabricated walls  152  to define one or more building units  110  on each story  104  of the building  100 . For example, and without limitation, the method  260  shown in  FIG. 12  includes coupling a prefabricated demising wall  154  above and along at least one of the plurality of beams  122  positioned between the ends of adjacent prefabricated floor panels  150  (see block  270 ). In such examples, the demising wall(s)  154  may cover or otherwise conceal the space between the ends of adjacent floor panels  150  to provide a desired aesthetic and/or functional characteristic. For example, each demising wall  154  may provide a clean transition between the floor panel(s)  150  and the demising wall  154 . In some examples, at least a portion of each demising wall  154  may abut the floor beam extending subjacent thereto to transfer loads directly to the structural frame  102 , for instance. In some embodiments, at least a portion of each demising wall  154  may rest on the floor panels  150  positioned below each demising wall  154 . Additionally or alternatively, the method may include coupling a prefabricated end wall  156  above and along at least one of the plurality of beams  122  positioned at a terminal end of the building  100  (see block  272 ). The end wall  156  may be configured similar to the demising wall  154 . 
     The method  260  may include additional steps in some examples. For instance, the method  260  may include coupling a second plurality of beams  132  to and between the first and second pluralities of columns  124 ,  126  (see block  274  in phantom). Each beam of the second plurality of beams  132  may extend above and along at least one prefabricated demising wall  154  or at least one end wall  156  positioned vertically subjacent to the second plurality of beams  132 . In such examples, each beam of the second plurality of beams  132  may rest on the vertically subjacent demising or end wall  154 ,  156 . The method  260  may include coupling a prefabricated second floor panel  150  to and between adjacent beams of the second plurality of beams  132  (see block  276  in phantom). In such embodiments, the underside of each prefabricated second floor panel  150  may define the ceiling of the vertically subjacent floor, as explained above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the method  260  may include coupling a prefabricated second demising wall  154  above and along at least one of the second plurality of beams  132  positioned between the ends of adjacent prefabricated second floor panels  150  (see block  278  in phantom). The method  260  may include coupling a prefabricated second end wall  156  above and along at least one of the second plurality of beams  132  positioned at a terminal end of the building  100  (see block  280  in phantom). The method  260  may include coupling a prefabricated utility wall  160  along a terminal side of the building  100  (see block  282  in phantom). Each prefabricated utility wall  160  may be coupled to at least one of the prefabricated floor panels  150  and at least one of the prefabricated second floor panels  150  positioned adjacent the terminal side of the building  100 . In this manner, each utility wall  160  may service at least two floors or stories  104  of the building  100 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example method  300  of assembling a building  100  from prefabricated components  106 , the building  100  having a length L and a width W defining terminals ends and terminal sides of the building  100 , respectively. Except as otherwise noted below, the method  300  shown in  FIG. 13  is similar to the method  260  shown in  FIG. 12  and described above. The method  300  includes erecting first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  along the length L of building  100  (see block  302 ). The first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  may be erected similar to the columns described above, such as substantially parallel to each other. Additionally or alternatively, the columns  120  in each of the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  may be equidistantly spaced from one other along the length L of the building  100 . 
     Irrespective of the spatial position of the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126 , the method  300  includes attaching a plurality of floor beams  122  to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  such that the floor beams  122  extend substantially parallel to one another along the width W of the building  100  (see block  304 ). Once the floor beams  122  are attached to the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126 , the method  300  includes attaching a prefabricated floor panel  150  to and between adjacent floor beams  122  (see block  306 ). Thereafter, the method  300  includes attaching a prefabricated demising wall  154  to and along at least one of the floor beams  122  positioned between adjacent floor panels  150  (see block  308 ). The method  300  may then include attaching a prefabricated end wall  156  to and along at least one of the plurality of floor beams  122  positioned at the terminal ends of the building  100  (see block  310 ). 
     As shown, the method  300  also includes attaching a plurality of vertically adjacent floor beams to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126 , the plurality of vertically adjacent floor beams attached to and along the tops of the prefabricated demising and end walls  156  of the vertically subjacent story  104  (see block  312 ). At block  314 , the method  300  includes repeating blocks  302 - 312  in sequence until the building  100  includes a desired number of floors. In repeating blocks  302 - 312 , the method  300  may include extending the lengths of the columns to achieve the desired number of stories  104 . 
     The method  300  may include additional steps in some examples. For instance, the method  300  may include attaching at least one prefabricated utility wall  160  along one of the terminal sides of the building  100  (see block  316  in phantom). In such examples, each prefabricated utility wall  160  serves at least two stories  104  of the building  100 , as outlined above. Additionally or alternatively, the method  300  may include attaching a window wall  158  along a terminal side of the building  100 , such as on the terminal side of the building  100  opposing the prefabricated utility walls  160  (see block  318  in phantom). 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an example method  330  of assembling a building  100  of n stories from prefabricated components  106 , the building  100  having a length L and a width W. Except as otherwise noted below, the method  330  shown in  FIG. 14  is similar to the methods  260 ,  300  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , described above. The method  330  includes erecting first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  along the length L of the building  100  (see block  332 ). Once the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  are at least partially erected, the method  330  includes installing a plurality of first floor beams  130  to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  such that the first floor beams  130  extend along the width W of the building  100  (see block  334 ). Once the first floor beams  130  are at least partially installed, the method  330  includes installing a prefabricated first floor panel  150  to and between adjacent beams of the first floor beams  130  (see block  336 ). Once a plurality of first floor panels  150  are installed, the method  330  includes installing a prefabricated first floor demising wall  154  above and along at least one of the first floor beams  130  positioned between adjacent first floor panels  150  (see block  338 ). The method  330  includes installing a prefabricated first floor end wall  156  above and along at least one of the first floor beams  130  positioned at terminal ends of the building  100  (see block  340 ). 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 14 , the method  330  includes installing additional components to construct vertically adjacent floors or stories  104 . For example, once the first floor demising and end walls  154 ,  156  are installed, the method  330  includes installing a plurality of second floor beams  132  to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  such that the second floor beams  132  extend along the width W of the building  100  above and along the prefabricated first floor demising walls  154  and the prefabricated first floor end walls  156  (see block  342 ). Once the second floor beams  132  are at least partially installed, the method  330  includes installing a prefabricated second floor panel  150  to and between adjacent beams of the second floor beams  132  (see block  344 ). Once a plurality of second floor panels  150  are installed, the method  330  includes installing a prefabricated second floor demising wall  154  above and along at least one of the second floor beams  132  positioned between adjacent second floor panels  150  (see block  346 ). 
     As illustrated, at block  348 , the method  330  includes installing a prefabricated second floor end wall  156  above and along at least one of the second floor beams  132  positioned at terminal ends of the building  100 . Once the second floor demising and end walls  154 ,  156  are installed, the method  330  includes installing a plurality of third floor beams  134  to and between the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  such that the third floor beams  134  extend along the width W of the building  100  above and along the prefabricated second floor demising walls  154  and the prefabricated second floor end walls  156  (see block  350 ). In the example method illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the method  330  includes installing a prefabricated utility wall  160  along a terminal side of the building  100  (see block  352 ). As noted above, each prefabricated utility wall  160  may serve a plurality of stories  104 , such as serving two stories  104 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the method  330  includes repeating the steps above (i.e., repeating blocks  332 - 352 ) until the building  100  includes n stories  104  (see block  354 ). 
     In some examples, the repeating step of block  354  may include extending the lengths of the columns to accommodate n floors. For example, additional lengths of column may be welded, attached, or otherwise coupled to the first and second rows of columns  124 ,  126  to accommodate additional stories  104  being added to the building  100 . The columns  120  may be supplied in 1, 2, 3, or 4 story lengths (or any combination thereof). In this manner, additional lengths may be added to the columns  120  to accommodate any number of stories  104  in the building  100 . In some examples, the method  330  may include installing a window wall  158  along a terminal side of the building  100 , such as along the terminal side of the building  100  opposite the prefabricated utility wall  160  (see block  356  in phantom). Installing the window wall  158  may include attaching a window along corresponding tracks pre-installed on the prefabricated floor panels  150 . 
     The blocks included in the described example methods are for illustration purposes. In some embodiments, the blocks may be performed in a different order. In some embodiments, two or more blocks may be performed concurrently. In other embodiments, the blocks may be performed serially, with subsequent blocks not being performed until all previous blocks are fully completed. In some embodiments, various blocks may be eliminated. In still other embodiments, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, supplemented with other blocks, or combined together into fewer blocks. Other variations of the illustrative blocks are contemplated, including changes in the order of the blocks, changes in the content of the blocks being split or combined into other blocks, etc. 
     The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular examples described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and examples can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and examples are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). 
     It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to examples containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). 
     Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markups groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. 
     As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 items refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 items. Similarly, a group having 1-5 items refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 items, and so forth. 
     The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     While various aspects and examples have been disclosed herein, other aspects and examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and examples disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.