Future Commitments Related to Other Commitments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
2012	$ 5,066
2013	4,000
2014	1,402
2015
2016
Thereafter
Total	$ 10,468

The total of future contractually required payments on other commitments.

No definition available.

Name:	abm_OtherFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For other commitments having an initial or remaining term in excess of one year, required payments due within one year of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_OtherFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For other commitments having an initial or remaining term in excess of one year, required payments due within the fifth year of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_OtherFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For other commitments having an initial or remaining term in excess of one year, required payments due within the fourth year of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_OtherFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For other commitments having an initial or remaining term in excess of one year, required payments due within the third year of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_OtherFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For other commitments having an initial or remaining term in excess of one year, required payments due within the second year of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_OtherFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For other commitments having an initial or remaining term in excess of one year, required payments due after the fifth year from the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_OtherFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration