Segments and Their Activities (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013
Janitorial
Activities	Provides a wide range of essential janitorial services for clients, in a variety of facilities, including commercial office buildings, industrial buildings, retail stores, shopping centers, warehouses, airport terminals, health facilities, educational institutions, stadiums and arenas, and government buildings. These services include, among others: floor cleaning and finishing; window washing; furniture polishing; carpet cleaning and dusting; and other building cleaning services.
Facility Services
Activities	Provides onsite mechanical engineering and technical services and solutions for facilities and infrastructure systems for clients in a variety of facilities, including: schools; universities; shopping malls; museums; commercial infrastructure; airports and other transportation centers; data centers; high technology manufacturing facilities; corporate office buildings; and resorts.
Parking
Activities	Provides parking and transportation services and operates parking lots and garages for clients at many facilities, including office buildings, hotels, medical centers, retail centers, sports and entertainment arenas, educational institutions, municipalities, and airports.
Security
Activities	Provides security services for clients in a wide range of facilities, including Class "A" high rise, commercial, industrial, retail, medical, petro-chemical, and residential facilities. Security services include: staffing of security officers; mobile patrol services; investigative services; electronic monitoring of fire and life safety systems and access control devices; and security consulting services.
Building & Energy Solutions
Activities	Provides services related to preventative maintenance, retro-commissioning, mechanical retrofits and upgrades, electric vehicle charging stations, electrical service, systems start-ups, performance testing, and energy audits to a wide variety of clients in both the private and public sectors, including U.S. Government entities. Provides programs in support of U.S. Government operations, such as leadership development, education, and training, language support services, medical support services, and construction management. Also included in the Building & Energy Solutions segment are the Company’s franchised operations under the Linc Network, TEGG, CurrentSAFE, and GreenHomes America brands and the recently acquired HHA Services, Inc. (“HHA”) and the assets and business of Calvert-Jones Company, Inc. (“Calvert-Jones”).
Other
Activities	Our recently acquired Air Serv business is included in our Other reportable segment. Air Serv provides integrated facility solutions services for airlines and freight companies at airports primarily in the United States. Services include passenger assistance, wheelchair operations, cabin cleaning, cargo handling, shuttle bus operations, access control, and janitorial services, among others.