Pre-assembled internal frame for modular wall section

A pre-assembled internal frame for a modular wall, comprising:

• a pair of vertical frame members, each vertical frame member of the pair of vertical frame members having a central web extending in a depth direction of the pre-assembled internal frame between a first flange and a second flange, each of the first and second flanges extending laterally inwardly from the central web;
• wherein the central web of each vertical frame member of the pair of vertical frame members has a stepped configuration comprising a first web section extending inwardly in the depth direction from the first flange, a second web section extending inwardly in the depth direction from the second flange and offset laterally from the first web section, and a transition web section extending laterally to connect the first and second web sections;
• a plurality of horizontal frame members extending laterally between the vertical frame members of the pair of vertical frame members to connect the vertical frame members together;
• wherein each said first flange has a series of vertically arranged mounting openings, and each said second flange has a series of vertically arranged mounting openings, and wherein the vertical frame members of the pair of vertical frame members are oriented in an inverted relationship with respect to one another such that (a) the first flange of one of the pair of vertical frame members and the second flange of the other of the pair of vertical frame members are positioned on one face of the pre-assembled internal frame and (b) the second flange of said one of the pair of vertical frame members and the first flange of said other of said pair of vertical frame members are positioned on an opposing face of the pre-assembled internal frame, thus enabling said pre-assembled internal frame to be arranged in an end-to-end junction with another of said pre-assembled internal frame with adjacent said vertical frame members of the pre-assembled internal frames at the end-to-end junction abutting and the first and second flanges of the abutting vertical frame members positioned adjacent one another at the end-to-end junction;
• wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members includes at least one intermediate horizontal frame member spaced vertically from the top and bottom of the pre-assembled internal frame,
• wherein each of the first and second web sections includes a fastener receiving portion, each fastener receiving portion having a fastener receiving opening corresponding to an associated one of the at least one intermediate horizontal frame member and a fastener positioned therein for fastening the associated one of the at least one horizontal frame member to the vertical frame members of the pair of vertical frame members;
• wherein said fastener receiving portions are recessed laterally inwardly from the first and second web sections for avoiding interference between adjacent fasteners when said pre-assembled internal frame is arranged in said end-to-end junction with another of said pre-assembled internal frame.