Reportable Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012		Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,236,773		$ 1,216,768	$ 1,173,617	$ 1,182,123	$ 1,090,001		$ 1,079,235	$ 1,057,244	$ 1,073,785	$ 4,809,281		$ 4,300,265		$ 4,246,842
Operating profit											119,025		96,566		117,568
Other-than-temporary impairment credit losses on auction rate security recognized in earnings													(313)
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net											6,319		6,395		3,915
Interest expense											(12,892)		(9,999)		(15,805)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											112,452		92,649		105,678
Total Identifiable Assets	2,119,236					1,851,158					2,119,236		1,851,158
Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	2,119,236	[1]				1,850,759	[1]				2,119,236	[1]	1,850,759	[1]	1,859,297	[1]
Janitorial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											2,465,312		2,394,344		2,380,195
Operating profit											134,600		135,967		140,621
Janitorial | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	883,358	[1]				863,831	[1]				883,358	[1]	863,831	[1]	859,318	[1]
Facility Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											609,435		576,136		553,295
Operating profit											27,431		23,083		24,876
Facility Services | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	211,270	[1]				214,557	[1]				211,270	[1]	214,557	[1]	205,190	[1]
Parking
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											609,082		615,132		615,679
Operating profit											27,537		26,189		24,257
Parking | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	141,946	[1]				153,593	[1]				141,946	[1]	153,593	[1]	149,052	[1]
Security
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											381,472		365,926		350,377
Operating profit											12,943		7,835		7,968
Security | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	112,699	[1]				111,293	[1]				112,699	[1]	111,293	[1]	111,304	[1]
Building & Energy Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											401,536		348,279		346,086
Adjustment for income from unconsolidated affiliates											(6,175)		(3,458)		(3,915)
Operating profit											18,662		12,340		12,423
Building & Energy Solutions | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	296,189	[1]				232,079	[1]				296,189	[1]	232,079	[1]	246,524	[1]
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											341,516
Operating profit											12,606
Other | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	236,117	[1]									236,117	[1]
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											928		448		1,210
Operating profit											(108,579)		(105,390)		(88,662)
Corporate | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	$ 237,657	[1]				$ 275,406	[1]				$ 237,657	[1]	$ 275,406	[1]	$ 287,909	[1]

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