Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			$ 1,522,358us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses			(200,631)
Goodwill
Beginning Balance	1,349,456us-gaap_Goodwill	1,321,727us-gaap_Goodwill
Acquisitions (Note 2)	7,711us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	17,994us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Foreign currency translation	(35,890)us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments	9,735us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Ending Balance	1,321,277us-gaap_Goodwill	1,349,456us-gaap_Goodwill
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			545,046
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses			(20,721)
Goodwill
Beginning Balance	528,044	524,325
Acquisitions (Note 2)	7,711	0
Foreign currency translation	(11,606)	3,719
Ending Balance	524,149	528,044
Health & Science Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			703,024
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses			(149,820)
Goodwill
Beginning Balance	571,675	553,204
Acquisitions (Note 2)	0	17,994
Foreign currency translation	(8,210)	477
Ending Balance	563,465	571,675
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			274,288
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses			(30,090)
Goodwill
Beginning Balance	249,737	244,198
Acquisitions (Note 2)	0	0
Foreign currency translation	(16,074)	5,539
Ending Balance	$ 233,663	$ 249,737

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Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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-Publisher FASB

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