Segment and Geographic Information - Reportable Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,298.9		$ 1,276.1	$ 1,231.3	$ 1,226.5	$ 1,236.8		$ 1,216.8	$ 1,173.6	$ 1,182.1	$ 5,032.8	[1]	$ 4,809.3	[1]	$ 4,300.3	[1]
Operating profit											128.6		119.0		96.6
Other-than-temporary impairment credit losses on auction rate security recognized in earnings											0		0		(0.3)
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net											6.5		6.3		6.4
Interest expense											(10.7)		(12.9)		(10.0)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											124.4		112.4		92.7
Total Identifiable Assets	2,192.9					2,119.2					2,192.9		2,119.2
Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	2,192.9	[2]				2,119.2	[2]				2,192.9	[2]	2,119.2	[2]	1,850.8	[2]
Janitorial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											2,583.2		2,480.5		2,390.6
Operating profit											144.4		135.4		135.4
Janitorial | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	952.8	[2]				887.5	[2]				952.8	[2]	887.5	[2]	861.2	[2]
Facility Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											599.3		609.4		576.1
Operating profit											26.9		27.4		23.1
Facility Services | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	198.8	[2]				211.3	[2]				198.8	[2]	211.3	[2]	214.6	[2]
Parking
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											616.1		609.1		615.1
Operating profit											30.9		27.5		26.2
Parking | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	140.6	[2]				141.9	[2]				140.6	[2]	141.9	[2]	153.6	[2]
Security
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											383.1		381.5		365.9
Operating profit											12.5		13.0		7.8
Security | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	116.0	[2]				112.7	[2]				116.0	[2]	112.7	[2]	111.3	[2]
Building & Energy Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											483.8		401.5		348.3
Adjustment for income from unconsolidated affiliates											(6.6)		(6.2)		(3.4)
Operating profit											23.1		15.3		10.2
Building & Energy Solutions | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	334.9	[2]				296.2	[2]				334.9	[2]	296.2	[2]	232.1	[2]
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											367.3		326.4		3.8
Operating profit											12.2		11.8		0.6
Other | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	224.4	[2]				231.9	[2]				224.4	[2]	231.9	[2]	2.6	[2]
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues											0		0.9		0.5
Operating profit											(114.8)		(105.2)		(103.3)
Corporate | Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	225.4	[2]				237.7	[2]				225.4	[2]	237.7	[2]	275.4	[2]
Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior period reclassification adjustment													15.1		3.8
Operating Profit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior period reclassification adjustment													0.8		0.6
Selling and Marketing Expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior period reclassification adjustment													$ 3.4		$ 2.1

[1] Substantially all of our long-lived assets are related to United States operations.

[2] Excludes assets of discontinued operations of $0.4 million as of October 31, 2012.