Schedule of Information on Company's Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 518,445		$ 494,144	$ 1,012,893		$ 983,561
Total operating income	99,559		88,650	194,271		173,219
Interest expense	10,597		10,536	21,154		21,198
Other income (expense)-net	(573)		(230)	706		(113)
Income before income taxes	88,389		77,884	173,823		151,908
Total assets	2,827,652			2,827,652			2,785,390
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	(2,146)		(3,058)	(3,834)		(4,195)
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	56,115		46,302	104,194		90,828
Total assets	1,042,770			1,042,770			1,023,143
Fluid & Metering Technologies | External Customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	225,214		210,365	436,621		422,831
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Intersegment sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	274		350	622		602
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	225,488		210,715	437,243		423,433
Health & Science Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	34,522		27,136	66,789		57,406
Total assets	1,121,697			1,121,697			1,102,868
Health & Science Technologies | External Customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	179,111		168,742	350,785		341,963
Health & Science Technologies | Intersegment sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	1,756		1,821	2,950		2,386
Health & Science Technologies | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	180,867		170,563	353,735		344,349
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	23,676		26,098	51,908		49,786
Total assets	492,171			492,171			488,886
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products | External Customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	114,120		115,037	225,487		218,767
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products | Intersegment sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	116		887	262		1,207
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	114,236		115,924	225,749		219,974
Corporate Office/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	(14,754)		(10,886)	(28,620)		(24,801)
Total assets	$ 171,014	[1]		$ 171,014	[1]		$ 170,493	[1]

[1] Includes intersegment eliminations.