Schedule of Information on Company's Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 494,144	$ 453,798	$ 983,561	$ 880,887
Total operating income	88,650	79,629	173,219	157,350
Interest expense	10,536	6,720	21,198	13,174
Other income (expense)-net	(230)	347	(113)	(560)
Income before income taxes	77,884	73,256	151,908	143,616
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
External customers	210,365	208,800	422,831	408,334
Intersegment sales	350	96	602	236
Total net sales	210,715	208,896	423,433	408,570
Total operating income	46,302	41,486	90,828	83,338
Health & Science Technologies
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
External customers	168,742	140,074	341,963	268,987
Intersegment sales	1,821	400	2,386	721
Total net sales	170,563	140,474	344,349	269,708
Total operating income	27,136	26,867	57,406	56,366
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
External customers	115,037	104,924	218,767	203,566
Intersegment sales	887	268	1,207	513
Total net sales	115,924	105,192	219,974	204,079
Total operating income	26,098	26,865	49,786	48,007
Intersegment Elimination
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net sales	(3,058)	(764)	(4,195)	(1,470)
Corporate Office/Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating income	$ (10,886)	$ (15,589)	$ (24,801)	$ (30,361)