Summary of Reportable Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	$ 1,869,251		$ 1,879,598
Depreciation and Amortization	50,897		52,658		36,315
Capital Expenditures	28,052		22,124		23,942
Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	1,868,852	[1]	1,877,390	[1]	1,543,018	[1]
Janitorial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization	18,010		19,035		18,356
Capital Expenditures	12,367		10,048		12,503
Janitorial | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	863,831	[1]	859,318	[1]	902,541	[1]
Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization	13,731		15,214		549
Capital Expenditures	851		1,280		79
Engineering | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	464,729	[1]	469,807	[1]	68,710	[1]
Parking
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization	3,512		3,644		2,797
Capital Expenditures	2,219		2,023		1,265
Parking | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	153,593	[1]	149,052	[1]	145,801	[1]
Security
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization	1,218		1,441		1,443
Capital Expenditures	203		141		451
Security | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	111,293	[1]	111,304	[1]	112,194	[1]
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization	14,426		13,324		13,170
Capital Expenditures	12,412		8,632		9,644
Corporate | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	$ 275,406	[1]	$ 287,909	[1]	$ 313,772	[1]

[1] Excludes assets of discontinued operations of $0.4 million, $2.2 million and $5.7 million as of October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.