Segment Information - Reportable Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information
Increase (decrease) in self insurance reserve for current year claims	$ 6.2
Increase (decrease) in self insurance reserve for prior year claims	10.5
Revenues		1,276.1	1,216.8	3,733.9	3,572.5
Operating profit		33.7	28.7	85.5	81.6
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net		1.6	1.6	4.3	3.9
Interest expense		(2.7)	(3.4)	(8.1)	(9.7)
Income before income taxes		32.6	26.9	81.7	75.8
Janitorial
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		648.3	626.1	1,917.1	1,848.2
Operating profit		40.4	34.4	105.7	101.3
Facility Services
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		151.0	152.8	452.2	456.6
Operating profit		7.5	7.0	18.4	19.3
Parking
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		156.5	154.0	459.4	456.8
Operating profit		9.4	8.2	21.5	19.1
Security
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		95.4	96.2	288.9	284.4
Operating profit		3.9	4.0	8.7	7.8
Building & Energy Solutions
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		127.5	104.9	348.1	286.8
Operating profit		6.8	5.9	13.0	7.5
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net		(1.6)	(1.7)	(4.3)	(4.1)
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		97.4	82.6	268.2	239.0
Operating profit		4.5	3.8	8.8	7.9
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		0	0.2	0	0.7
Operating profit		(37.2)	(32.9)	(86.3)	(77.2)
Revenue
Segment Reporting Information
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			4.2		11.6
Operating Profit
Segment Reporting Information
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment					0.8
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			$ 0.8		$ 2.5