Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	$ 1,490,821	$ 1,431,366	[1]
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	542,621	541,640	[1]
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Water Reporting Unit
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	219,700
Health & Science Technologies
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	707,163	648,906	[1]
Health & Science Technologies | Optics And Photonics Reporting Unit
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	$ 279,300

[1] Revised to reflect the movement of the Dispensing Equipment segment to the Fire & Safety/Diversified Products segment and the transfer of $20.6 million of goodwill related to the movement of our Trebor business unit within the Health & Science Technologies segment to the Fluid & Metering Technologies segment.