Segment Information - Reportable Operating Segments (Detail) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($) segment	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment		5
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		$ 1,257.1	$ 1,176.4	$ 2,525.5	$ 2,370.9
Operating profit		11.8	27.2	25.4	44.0
Adjustment for income from unconsolidated affiliates, net, included in Building & Energy Solutions		0.9	2.2	3.3	3.7
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net		0.9	2.2	3.3	3.7
Interest expense		(2.4)	(2.5)	(5.1)	(5.2)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		10.3	26.9	23.6	42.5
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
Operating profit	[1]	(41.0)	(29.4)	(76.6)	(61.7)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information
Adjustment for income from unconsolidated affiliates, net, included in Building & Energy Solutions		(0.8)	(2.2)	(3.3)	(3.7)
Adjustment for tax deductions for energy efficient government buildings, included in Building & Energy Solutions		(0.9)	0.0	(1.1)	0.0
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net		(0.8)	(2.2)	(3.3)	(3.7)
Janitorial | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		686.4	659.5	1,372.1	1,325.5
Operating profit	[1]	34.8	39.3	68.5	73.7
Facility Services | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		143.0	145.8	301.4	302.0
Operating profit	[1]	6.9	6.6	12.0	12.5
Parking | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		164.6	153.5	326.7	309.2
Operating profit	[1]	6.3	6.7	11.3	13.2
Building & Energy Solutions | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		153.1	121.5	302.9	240.9
Operating profit	[1]	2.9	3.2	9.4	4.4
Other | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		110.0	96.1	222.3	193.3
Operating profit	[1]	$ 3.5	3.0	$ 5.2	5.6
Security | Operating Income (Loss) | Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			(0.4)		(0.4)
Security | Operating Income (Loss) | Janitorial | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			$ (0.6)		$ (1.1)

[1] In connection with the sale of our Security business, certain general corporate expenses that were previously allocated to Security are now allocated back to Corporate expenses and the Janitorial segment. In addition, certain Corporate expenses that were directly related to the operations of our former Security business have been allocated to discontinued operations. The net impact of these changes is as follows: Three Months Ended April 30, Six Months Ended April 30,(in millions)2015 2015Janitorial(0.6) (1.1)Corporate(0.4) (0.4)