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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details) | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($) levels | Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Sep. 01, 2014 USD ($)
Equity method investment | $ 0 |  |  |
Retainage included in accounts receivable | 38,700,000 | $ 40,700,000 |  |
Percentage of LIFO inventory (percent |  | 51.00% |  |
Increase to retained earnings resulting from cumulative effect of change in accounting method |  |  |  | $ 124,200,000
Percentage of FIFO inventory (percent) |  | 38.00% |  |
Goodwill impairment charges | 0 | $ 7,267,000 | $ 0 |
Goodwill | 66,373,000 | 66,383,000 | 74,319,000 |
Transaction gains (losses) | $ (13,900,000) | (45,400,000) | 9,000,000 |
Number of fair value hierarchy | levels | 3 |  |  |
One reporting unit within Americas Fabrication |  |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 51,300,000 | $ 51,300,000 |  |
Receivables secured by credit insurance or letters of credit |  |  |  |
Percentage of accounts receivable secured by credit insurance or letters of credit | 30.00% | 35.00% |  |
Certain fabrication projects |  |  |  |
Sales recognized in excess of amounts billed | $ 19,400,000 | $ 25,000,000 |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |
Cost method investment ownership percentage | 20.00% |  |  |
Americas Recycling |  |  |  |
Goodwill impairment charges | $ 0 | 7,267,000 |  |
Goodwill | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 7,267,000 |

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