Schedule of Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 2,957,435		$ 2,836,107
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	1,045,783		1,072,023
Health & Science Technologies
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	1,295,881		1,178,653
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	469,785		442,400
Corporate Office/Other
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 145,986	[1]	$ 143,031	[1]

[1] Includes intersegment eliminations.