Schedule of Information on Company's Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 494,448		$ 489,417
Total operating income	94,712		84,569
Interest expense	10,557		10,662
Other income-net	1,279		117
Income before income taxes	85,434		74,024
Total assets	2,822,600			2,785,390
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External customers	211,407		212,466
Intersegment sales	348		252
Total net sales	211,755		212,718
Total operating income	48,079		44,526
Total assets	1,033,752			1,023,143
Health & Science Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External customers	171,674		173,221
Intersegment sales	1,194		565
Total net sales	172,868		173,786
Total operating income	32,267		30,270
Total assets	1,123,755			1,102,868
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External customers	111,367		103,730
Intersegment sales	146		320
Total net sales	111,513		104,050
Total operating income	28,232		23,688
Total assets	494,258			488,886
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	(1,688)		(1,137)
Corporate Office/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	(13,866)		(13,915)
Total assets	$ 170,835	[1]		$ 170,493	[1]

[1] Includes intersegment eliminations.