Schedule of Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 2,856,802		$ 2,836,107
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	1,036,447		1,072,023
Health & Science Technologies
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	1,221,118		1,178,653
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	447,717		442,400
Corporate Office/Other
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 151,520	[1]	$ 143,031	[1]

[1] Includes intersegment eliminations.