Segment Information - Reportable Operating Segments (Detail) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment		5
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		$ 1,296.9	$ 1,249.9	$ 3,822.4	$ 3,620.8
Operating profit		18.5	(7.6)	44.0	36.4
Adjustment for income from unconsolidated affiliates, net, included in Building & Energy Solutions		2.1	2.6	5.3	6.3
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net		2.1	2.6	5.3	6.3
Interest expense		(2.6)	(2.4)	(7.7)	(7.6)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		18.0	(7.4)	41.6	35.1
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
Operating profit	[1]	(55.8)	(62.5)	(132.4)	(124.2)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information
Adjustment for income from unconsolidated affiliates, net, included in Building & Energy Solutions		(1.3)	(2.6)	(4.6)	(6.3)
Adjustment for tax deductions for energy efficient government buildings, included in Building & Energy Solutions		(0.1)	(1.8)	(1.2)	(1.8)
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net		(1.3)	(2.6)	(4.6)	(6.3)
Janitorial | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		691.8	678.5	2,063.9	2,004.0
Operating profit	[1]	43.8	32.9	112.3	106.6
Facility Services | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		146.2	147.3	447.6	449.3
Operating profit	[1]	7.9	6.0	19.9	18.5
Parking | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		167.7	162.0	494.4	471.2
Operating profit	[1]	7.6	7.8	19.0	21.0
Building & Energy Solutions | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		167.8	149.1	470.7	390.0
Operating profit	[1]	10.5	8.1	19.9	12.5
Other | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues		123.5	113.0	345.8	306.3
Operating profit	[1]	$ 5.8	4.5	$ 11.1	10.1
Security | Operating Income (Loss) | Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			3.2		2.8
Security | Operating Income (Loss) | Janitorial | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			$ (0.5)		$ (1.6)

[1] In connection with the sale of our Security business, certain general corporate expenses that were previously allocated to Security are now allocated to Corporate expenses and to the Janitorial segment. In addition, certain Corporate expenses that were directly related to the operations of our former Security business have been allocated to discontinued operations. The net impact of these changes is as follows: (in millions)Three Months Ended July 31, 2015 Nine Months Ended July 31, 2015Janitorial(0.5) (1.6)Corporate3.2 2.8