Schedule of Information on Company's Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 479,859	$ 476,881	$ 1,463,420	$ 1,357,768
Total operating income	80,588	71,305	253,807	228,655
Interest expense	10,536	7,763	31,734	20,937
Other income (expense)-net	132	(441)	19	(1,001)
Income before income taxes	70,184	63,101	222,092	206,717
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
External customers	197,620	205,674	620,451	614,008
Intersegment sales	380	123	982	359
Total net sales	198,000	205,797	621,433	614,367
Total operating income	41,649	40,883	132,477	124,221
Health & Science Technologies
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
External customers	174,351	172,648	516,314	441,635
Intersegment sales	1,874	263	4,260	984
Total net sales	176,225	172,911	520,574	442,619
Total operating income	27,305	19,287	84,711	75,653
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
External customers	107,888	98,559	326,655	302,125
Intersegment sales	311	176	1,518	689
Total net sales	108,199	98,735	328,173	302,814
Total operating income	24,738	19,263	74,524	67,270
Intersegment Elimination
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net sales	(2,565)	(562)	(6,760)	(2,032)
Corporate Office/Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating income	$ (13,104)	$ (8,128)	$ (37,905)	$ (38,489)