Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			$ 1,243,750
Accumulated impairment losses			(36,749)
Beginning Balance	1,431,366	[1]	1,207,001	[1]
Acquisition adjustments	1,424		434
Acquisitions (Note 12)	50,387		231,189
Foreign currency translation	9,091		(7,258)
Ending Balance	1,321,727		1,431,366	[1]
Goodwill impairment	(170,541)
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			551,064
Accumulated impairment losses			(6,659)
Beginning Balance	541,640	[1]	544,405	[1]
Foreign currency translation	3,406		(2,765)
Ending Balance	524,325		541,640	[1]
Goodwill impairment	(20,721)
Health & Science Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			418,776
Beginning Balance	648,906	[1]	418,776	[1]
Acquisition adjustments	1,424		434
Acquisitions (Note 12)	50,387		231,189
Foreign currency translation	2,307		(1,493)
Ending Balance	553,204		648,906	[1]
Goodwill impairment	(149,820)
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross			273,910
Accumulated impairment losses			(30,090)
Beginning Balance	240,820	[1]	243,820	[1]
Foreign currency translation	3,378		(3,000)
Ending Balance	$ 244,198		$ 240,820	[1]

[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 from the Health & Science Technologies segment to the Fluid & Metering Technologies segment.