XML 18 R33.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Insurance - Standby Letters of Credit, Surety Bonds and Restricted Insurance Deposits Outstanding to Collateralize Self-Insurance Obligations (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Apr. 30, 2015
Oct. 31, 2014
Letters Of Credit    
Total Instruments Used To Collateralize Insurance Obligations $ 172.3abm_TotalInstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations $ 175.1abm_TotalInstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations
Standby Letters of Credit    
Letters Of Credit    
Instruments Used To Collateralize Insurance Obligations 108.6abm_InstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember		 111.1abm_InstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
Surety Bond    
Letters Of Credit    
Instruments Used To Collateralize Insurance Obligations 52.3abm_InstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= us-gaap_SuretyBondMember		 52.5abm_InstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= us-gaap_SuretyBondMember
Rejected insurance deposits    
Letters Of Credit    
Instruments Used To Collateralize Insurance Obligations $ 11.4abm_InstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= us-gaap_DepositsMember		 $ 11.5abm_InstrumentsUsedToCollateralizeInsuranceObligations
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= us-gaap_DepositsMember